Contributed by Drewcilla Holifield
“Spirit of America: A Tribute to Our Armed Service Members”
05/04/19 – 7:30 PM
Mat-Su Concert Band
Glenn Massay Theater
8295 E College Dr
Admission - General: $15, Students: $7
Children Under 5 FREE
www.matsuconcertband.org
Some of the finest music ever written about our nation’s veterans will take center stage at an upcoming performance by the Mat-Su Concert Band.
The “Spirit of America: A Tribute to Our Armed Service Members” concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4th at the Glenn Massay Theater in Palmer. This concert has an admission price of $15 for general admission, $7 for students, while children under 5 get in free. Tickets are available for purchase at www.matsuconcertband.org.
The band will be performing two pieces by the renowned John Williams. “Hymn to the Fallen”, written for DreamWorks Motion Pictures’ Saving Private Ryan, takes the listener on a journey through World War II. In the film, a group of American soldiers are sent on a search and rescue mission inside enemy territory. The soundtrack for this movie was short and pushed “Hymn to the Fallen” to the forefront as a memorial for all who died in the Normandy invasion. The other John Williams selection is a special arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that was written for the Rose Bowl Ceremonies in 2004.
This concert will also feature the heroic and haunting music from well-known film composer Michael Kamen’s “Symphonic Suite” from Band of Brothers. Band of Brothers is a 2001 American war drama miniseries that follows the Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in the U.S. Army. The music takes you on a sweeping journey through the perilous times our service members faced.
The band is excited to tap into their jazzy side with “A Tribute to Harry James” arranged by Naohiro Iwai. Prior to the Second World War, Harry James was a common household name and professional trumpet player. In 1939, he had founded his own orchestra and went on to perform in many successful tours. Naohiro Iwai wrote this tribute with a trumpet solo that will be performed by the bands own Doug Shaeffer.
Also on the program is the “Greatest Generation” by Julie Giroux. This piece reflects on the time period in which our World War II veterans lived. You can hear notes of Gershwin, a slow expressive section for our brave men who did not return home and concludes with lively jazz rhythms that signify the growth in our country after many returned home.
There’s some extra Sousa in the mix too – much to the chagrin of the band’s dear horn players.
Current director, Gleo Huyck, is a retired music educator and private instructor. Under Huyck’s baton, the band performs a wide-ranging selection of challenging music. The band this season numbers about 70 amateur musicians who assemble every Monday night for rehearsals at Palmer High School.
