Gainesville Community Band

Join us for a joyous and merry holiday concert as we play our annual
Bright Christmas Concert
Wednesday, December 8, 7:30 p.m.
Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Ave., Gainesville

Concert Program

• On Florida Shores March, by C.E. Duble; arr. Andy Isca
  Charles Edward Duble (1884-1960) played trombone in, and composed music for, circus bands. He composed this march in 1926.
• Three International Carols, arr. John S. Kitts-Turner, featuring Karen Adair, Soprano
  The three carols are Germany’s “O Tannenbaum,” England’s “The Holly and the Ivy” and France’s “Noel Nouvelet.”
• Christmas Swing, arr. Dizzy Stratford
  This arrangement is based on the carol, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” “Dizzy Stratford” is the pseudonym of popular Dutch-born composer Jacob de Haan.
• The Christmas Song, Mel Tormé and Robert Wells, arranged by Jerry Nowak, featuring Gary Langford, Trumpet
  In July 1945 Mel Tormé (1925-1999) drove to the California home of his lyricist and collaborator Robert Wells. He found lyrics lying on the piano. Wells explained, “It was so . . . hot today, I thought I’d write something to cool myself off. All I could think of was Christmas and cold weather.” Tormé replied, “You know, this just might make a song. The Christmas Song was written in about 45 minutes later that day. Tormé quickly showed the song to his friend Nat Cole, whose 1946 hit recording is now a beloved holiday classic. .”
• The Dreydl Song, arr. John S. Kitts-Turner, featuring Karen Adair, Narrator and Soprano
  This arrangement is based on the traditional Hanukah song, “I have A Little Dreydl.” A dreydl (also spelled dreidel) is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. It is used during Hanukkah to play a popular children’s game that involves spinning the dreidel and betting on which Hebrew letter will be showing when the dreidel stops spinning.
• Christmas Recollections, arr. John Edmondson
  John Edmondson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida in 1955, served two years in Army bands, then received the Master of Music degree from the University of Kentucky in 1960. Christmas Recollections is a medley that includes “Frosty The Snowman,” “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
• Playful Variations on Good King Wenceslas, by John S. Kitts-Turner
  John S. Kitts-Turner, who wrote or arranged four of the numbers on this program, is professor emeritus of music, having taught bassoon and Music History at the University of Florida for 34 years. He is still very active in music, and among other interests, serves as the Gainesville Community Band’s principal bassoonist.
• Holiday Carol Sing Along, arr. by John S. Kitts-Turner
  A medley consisting of “Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming,” “Oh Christmas Tree,” Oh Come all ye Faithful,” “God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “What Child Is This?” and “Joy to the World.”
• ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Newell H. Long, featuring Gary Langford, Narrator
  Who wrote “A Visit From St. Nicholas” (more popularly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas”)? First printed in an 1823 Troy, New York, newspaper, it was credited to “anonymous.” But in 1844, Clement C. Moore acknowledged that he had written the work. Or did he? There are those who now believe the popular poem was, in reality, written long before 1844, by Henry Livingston, a poet of Dutch ancestry who lived in upstate New York. No matter who the author, it is still a Christmas perennial, especially in this musical setting by Newell H. Long, and especially with Gainesville’s favorite trumpet player, Gary Langford, narrating it!
• A Christmas Festival, by Leroy Anderson
  Who doesn’t love the music of Leroy Anderson (1908-1975)? Anderson, one of the most successful composers of semi classical music in the 20th Century, also achieved popular success; his Blue Tango, for example, made #1 on the 1952 Hit Parade. That same year Anderson wrote this medley, which consists of “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls,” “God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen,” Good King Wenceslas,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “The First Noel,” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
• Sleigh Ride, by Leroy Anderson
  Like Tomé’s, “The Christmas Song,” this cold-weather piece was written in hot weather. Shortly after his service in World War II and being released from active duty, Anderson and his family spent the summer at Painter Hill in Woodbury, Connecticut. It was here in Woodbury, during a heat wave, that he wrote of one of his most continually popular compositions, Sleigh Ride.

Featuring:



Karen Adair

Karen Adair’s voice has been described as “crystal clear and so strong that when she sang everything else on stage melted away“ (Ocala Star Banner), “powerful and polished” (Daytona Beach News Journal), “Warm and opulent . . . Hers is a most expressive voice.” (The Times Herald-Record, NY). The Florida Times-Union Fine Arts writer wrote, “Her voice made hearts shudder”. She has appeared with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Sofia [Bulgaria] Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensamble Rosario (Argentina), Ormond Beach Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony, First Coast Opera, and Florida’s First Coast Arts Festival. She emerged professionally with the Central Florida Symphony, members of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, the Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble (NYC), and the Orlando Opera Company, for whom she was a Resident Artist.





Gary Langford

University of Florida Professor Emeritus of Music and popular jazz trumpet/flugelhorn player Gary Langford will play with the band and narrate “The Night Before Christmas.” After graduating from the prestigious University of North Texas Jazz Studies Program, Professor Langford began a 37-year career at Florida, where he served as Professor of Music, Assistant Director of the School of Music, and Director of the Concert Band, the Marching Band and the Jazz Band. An accomplished arranger, Professor Langford has completed over 400 arrangements for marching band. He was recognized by the International Association of Jazz Educators as a recipient of their Outstanding Jazz Educator Award. He was honored twice by the University of Florida as Teacher of the Year. He introduced thousands of students to jazz through his popular Jazz History class.

The Gainesville Community Band Honors Our Nation’s Veterans
Friday, November 12, 7:30 p.m.
Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on the UF campus

Concert Program

• The Star Spangled Banner, by John S. Smith, arranged by Richard W. Bowles
• Tree City Fanfare, by Richard W. Bowles
• An American Salute, arranged by John Edmondson
• Lincoln Portrait, by Aaron Copland, arranged by Walter Beeler, Dr. John R. Grigsby, narrator
• The American Road, by Jerry Brubaker
• James B. King Clarinet Presentation
• Concertino, by Carl Maria von Weber, Bess de Farber, Clarinet
• A Leroy Anderson Portrait, by Leroy Anderson, arranged by James Barnes
• The Young Man With A Horn, by George Stoll, arranged by John Edmondson, Terry Moo, Trumpet
• Malaguena, by Ernesto Lecuona, arranged by Michael Sweeney, Terry Moo, Trumpet
• Armed Forces Salute, arranged by Bob Lowdon
• The Stars and Stripes Forever, by John Philip Sousa, arranged by William Revelli

Honoring

Veterans Day: Thursday, November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I and was originally celebrated as Armistice Day. Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized a Veterans Day parade for that city on November 11, 1947, to honor all of America’s veterans for their loyal service. Later, U.S. Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing the name of the celebration to Veterans Day to honor all who have served in America’s Armed Forces. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. The Gainesville Community Band performs this Veterans Day concert to honor all those who served honorably in the military—in wartime or peacetime.

James B King

James B. King: This concert is named in honor of Captain James B. King, late member of the Gainesville Community Band. Captain King served as principal clarinet and assistant conductor of the United States Marine Band, “The President’s Own,” under the administrations of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson. After retiring in 1980, he and his wife Joy joined the Gainesville Community Band. Captain King died in October 2006, and each year the band presents this concert in memory of a great musician who served his country and was an inspiration to all. As a further remembrance of Captain King, a clarinet will be presented in his name to an outstanding Alachua County middle school band student. Great Southern Music in the Oaks Mall Plaza, 6787 West Newberry Road, has graciously donated the memorial clarinet.

Featuring:

Dr. John R. Grigsby, professor emeritus at the University of Florida, taught choral conducting and choral literature and, as UF’s Director of Choral Activities, was responsible for the University Choir, Chamber Singers, Men’s Glee Club and Women’s Chorale. He also served as Acting Director of the School of Music and Assistant Director of the School of Music. Dr. Grigsby studied at Ohio State University, Union Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music and Columbia University. He has directed festivals and adjudicated choral clinics throughout the United States and Canada and, for nine years, was Director of Choral Music and Associate Coordinator of Worship and Sacred Music at New York’s Chautauqua Institution. During retirement Dr. Grigsby and his wife, Gretchen, who taught elementary music at Stephen Foster and Norton, have been active in various volunteer pursuits including The Salvation Army, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Friends Across the Ages, and Holy Trinity Church.

Bess De Farber

Bess de Farber, clarinetist with the Gainesville Community Band, studied performance at the University of Southern California, where she was named the most outstanding clarinet graduate. She has performed extensively throughout Florida, both in person and on television. In 1996 she was commissioned to create Composing A Heart, a multimedia piece tracing her parents’ emigration to the U.S. This work has been performed on NPR and at such South Florida venues as the Caldwell Theatre, and the Jewish Museum of Florida. Ms. de Farber has also served on grant review panels for the Florida Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts and, for ten years, played bagpipe in the City of Dunedin Pipe Band.

Terry Moo

Terry Moo, trumpet player par excellence, has called the Gainesville area “home” since 1970. He has long been a friend to music and music educators and frequently appears in concert with various area bands. After thirty years in retail music service he sold his company and began his other passion, multimedia production. He usually has either a horn or a camera in his hands, or most likely a set of headphones on his head. He has recorded every middle and high school band in the area and makes concert videos when called. Because he does audio recording and video production (with concert quality sound) he has appropriately named his new company Soundview Multimedia. He is also active as a private trumpet tutor and helps his wife Anna with her shows on the children’s stage.

Dr. Gerald Poe is music director of the Gainesville Community Band. He earned his B.A. degree from Western State College in Colorado, M.M. Ed. from Florida State University and D.M.A. from the University of Colorado. Much in demand as clinician, conductor and performer, Dr. Poe is listed in Who’s Who in American Music, Who’s Who in American Universities and most recently in the 2004 edition of Marquis’s Who’s Who in America. Dr. Poe is active in Florida Music Educators, Music Educators National Conference, Florida Bandmasters Association, and the Association of Concert Bands.

The Gainesville Community Band, the premier adult concert band of North Central Florida, was founded in 1974. Four years later, the Gainesville City Commission passed a resolution designating the GCB as the Official Community Band of Gainesville. Eighty-some members from all walks of life currently play in the band, and its concerts have always been family-friendly with free admission.

The Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is located at 315 Hull Road on the University of Florida campus, with plenty of free parking.

Gainesville Community Band concerts are family friendly, and most are free. Unlike school groups, the Gainesville Community Band has no booster organization or “band parents group” to raise funds and underwrite activities. Band members buy their own uniforms. They pay annual band membership dues. Most play personal instruments in rehearsals and concerts. Many donate money over and above dues to keep the band going. Yet, costs of music arrangements, playing venues and other expenses continue to rise. After every concert, pleased audience members ask how to contribute, how to help sustain the band and its active playing schedule. The Gainesville Community Band is an IRS Sec. 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Charitable Organization, and all contributions are gratefully accepted. They are tax deductible, and they support North Florida’s premiere adult concert band. Send your check to Gainesville Community Band, PMB 183, P.O. Box 147050, Gainesville, FL 32614-7050. At contributions of $25 or more, please specify whether the band may list your name as a Patron in its concert program. For further information, see the GCB web site (www.gnvband.org) or contact the music director via email or at 352-472-7224.

This is your invitation to enjoy our Dr. Charles Dean Memorial Concert on Sunday, October 10, at 2 p.m. at the F. W. Buchholz High School Auditorium.  This concert will feature cornet soloist William Dishman, the Dr. Charles Dean Trumpet Presentation, and as our guest ensemble, the award-winning Fort Clarke Middle School Symphonic Band. Buchholz High School is at 5510 Northwest 27th Avenue in Gainesville, and it has plenty of free parking. There is no charge for admission! And as always, this Gainesville Community Band concert is family friendly.

William Dishman

A native of the Washington, DC area, Mr. Dishman came to Gainesville in 1975. He earned a bachelor of music education degree from UF in 1980 and a master’s degree in 1996 and taught instrumental music at High Springs Community School for 29 years. Mr. Dishman is principal trumpet of the Gainesville Community Band and immediate past president of the group. He also plays in the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra and the Gainesville Brass Quintet. He currently teaches music to special needs students at Kanapaha Middle School.

The Presentation

For the nineteenth year, GCB will award a trumpet to an outstanding Alachua County middle school student musician in memory of Dr. Charles Dean (1929-1992). Dr. Dean was a founding member, principal trumpet and president of the Gainesville Community Band. The trumpet, donated by Hoggtowne Music, 5200 NW 43rd Street, Suite 501, means that a middle school band student will learn and enjoy music on a quality instrument, making practice and performance a rewarding experience for years to come.

Fort Clarke Middle School Symphonic Band

The Fort Clarke Band program has a long tradition of excellence. The Symphonic Band has earned Superior ratings at Florida Band Masters Association Music Performance Assessments for each of the last 11 years. In addition, they have traveled to Music Festivals in Georgia, Tennessee and Florida and consistently received the highest ratings. One former college director commented “You are the thing legends are made of!” FCMS Band Director Everett McConn graduated from the University of Florida and has more than 30 years experience as a private, small group and band instructor.

The Program

Dr. Gerald Poe, GCB music director, has put together a lineup of music that is sure to please!

• Strike Up the Band George Gershwin arr. Jerry Brubaker
• Stars in a Velvety Sky Herbert L. Clarke (William Dishman, Cornet)
• Procession of Nobles (excerpt from the ballet Mlada) Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov arr. Erik Leidzen
• Merry-Go-Round Philip Sparke
• The President’s Trio Frank Bencriscutto (Featuring the GCB Trumpet Section)
• Dr. Charles Dean Memorial Trumpet Presentation
• The Third Alarm March Edwin Franko Goldman
• Plus selections by the Fort Clarke Middle School Symphonic Band!