Season 33, Concert 2 - December 4, 2015

BENEFACTOR ($3,000 and above) Lindsay B. Gallagher

Thomas & Victoria Price D

Paul & Helene Emanuel Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/

Bank of America Corp.

PATRON ($2,000 to $2,999) Carolyn & Howard Crumb

SPONSOR ($1,000 to $1,999)

Michael & Darel-Ann DePompeo Emilio & Maria Uriarte

Judith Widicus In Memory of John R. Rodland

In Memory of Warren Grim Daichii Sankyo, Inc.

SUPPORTER ($500 to $999)

Barbara Abney Bolger Lawrence & Donna Friedman In memory of Aquilina Lim

Keith Mogerley Randy F. Reveley

John & Marilyn Wagner Dr. Christian Wilhjelm & Jacqueline Sarracco

Patricia & Fred Yosca PVH Corporation

ASSOCIATE ($250 to $499) Annette Baron & Andrew Lieb

Mary & Paul Bergquist Jeffrey Bittner D John G. Bolger

Naomi Freshwater Paul Goldberg

Paul & Carolyn Kirby Dorothy S. Neff John J. Palatucci Neil Sheehan D

Bank of NY Mellon Blue Moon Cafe

Plymouth Rock Foundation

AFFILIATE ($100 to $249) Ginny Baird

John L. & Louise M. Butler David & Jacalyn Bychek

Suzanne Coletta Lynn & Dick Curtin

James Demes Sally Fillmore

Capt. Kenneth Force Frank & Loretta Healey Marie & Marion Kane Cheryl & James Mallen

Joseph & Deborah Marsicovete Jerrold & Mary A. Meyer

Irene Montella Mary & Michael Nussear

Marcella Phelan Deloss Schertz & Rose Kraybill

Francis & Barbara Schott Ted & Evelyn Slockbower Richard & Karen Summers

Kathleen & Harold Sylvester Janice Willet

Nancy E. Zweil

FRIEND ($1 to $99) Eileen Beaumel

Richard & Janet Boziwick Vincent & Marianne DeDea

Michelle Dugan Vicki Fiore, M.D. Katherine Grasso Richard F. Hahn

Carol & Richard Holodak Janet Johnston

Lorraine Mariella D Judith & David Maron

Elizabeth Ann McGrath Valerie Moore, in honor of Warren Grim

Betsy Murphy & Dick Sparrow Walter & Diana Perog

Albert W. Schagen Edward J. Schlamp

Beth Schroeder Seavers D Ann Sirinides D Virginia Sirinides

Alexander & Debra Taylor Richard & Jessie VerHage

Janet Vidovich Mark & Andrea Zettler D

Amazon Smile Foundation Life O' the Party

Tito’s Burritos, Ridgewood

D = "Heartbeat of the RCB" Participant If you are a recent subscriber or donor, we

may have received your name too late to include in this program and we apologize for that, but you will be in subsequent programs.

Thank you.

2015-16 CONTRIBUTORS The Ridgewood Concert Band gratefully acknowledges the support of our donors

and subscribers whose generous support makes these programs possible.

Printing of this program generously underwritten by Konica Minolta Business Solutions.

________________________________________________________________________

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant

funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. ________________________________________________________________________

The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to thank all of the many volunteers who have made this concert possible.

________________________________________________________________________

The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to give a special “thank you” to the Pascack Valley Regional

High School District. The Pascack Hills High School Band room is our weekly rehearsal site.

________________________________________________________________________

For additional RCB information, please visit our website or scan our QR code:

WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG

Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, Music Director

A Season of Classics

FEATURED GUEST CONDUCTOR Colonel Arnald Gabriel

FEATURED CLASSIC Festive Overture

Dmitri Shostakovich

PRELUDE CONCERT - 7:30 PM Mendham High School Wind Ensemble

Timothy Beadle, Director

Friday, December 4, 2015 - 8:00 PM West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a Proud Sponsor of

the Ridgewood Concert Band

Col. Arnald D. Gabriel retired from the United States Air Force in 1985 following a distinguished 36 year military career, at which time he was awarded his third Legion of Merit for his service to the United States Air Force and to music education throughout the country. He served as Commander/Conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990, he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the USAF Band at a special concert held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. Col. Gabriel served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, from 1985 to 1995, as Conductor of the GMU Symphony Orchestra and as Chairman, Department of Music for eight of those years. In recognition of his ten years service to the university, he was named Professor Emeritus of Music. A combat machine gunner with the United States Army’s famed 29th Infantry Division in Europe during WW II, Gabriel received two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the French Croix de Guerre. Following his separation from the Army in 1946, Gabriel enrolled in Ithaca College, where he earned both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Music Education. In 1989, his alma mater conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Music degree and in 1997, he was further honored with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also listed in the International Who‘s Who in Music, 7th edition. Col. Gabriel’s professional honors include the very first Citation of Excellence awarded by the National Band Association, the Mid-West National Band and Orchestra Clinic’s Gold Medal of Honor and its Distinguished Service to Music Award, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s New Millennium Lifetime Achievement Award and its rarely presented National Citation for “significant contributions to music in America,” Kappa Kappa Psi’s Distinguished Service to Music Award, Phi Beta Mu’s Outstanding Contribution to Bands Award, and the St. Cecilia Award from the University of Notre Dame. Col. Gabriel was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors, becoming the youngest person ever to have received this honor, and was an inaugural inductee to the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame of Cortland High School in Cortland, New York. He is also a Past President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In 2008, the US Air Force Band dedicated the Arnald D. Gabriel Hall in his honor, and Bands of America inducted Col Gabriel into its Hall of Fame. Col. Gabriel has performed in all 50 of the United States and in 50 countries around the world.

RIDGEWOOD CONCERT BAND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PRESIDENT: Mark Zettler IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Carolyn Kirby

VICE PRESIDENT: John Wagner RECORDING SECRETARY: Annette Lieb

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: James Mallen TREASURER: Neil Sheehan

MEMBERS AT LARGE: Noreen Baer, John Butler,

Mike DePompeo, Lawrence Friedman, Kathleen Peters, Philip Peters, Thomas P. Price & Deloss Schertz

Beth Seavers

In addition to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, among the hundreds of major orchestras and bands he has conducted are the Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Memphis, Florida, Glendale (California), Green Bay (Wisconsin), York and Williamsport (Pennsylvania), Fairfax (Virginia), Puerto Rico, and Tatui Sao Paulo (Brazil), symphony orchestras, the Carabiniere Band and the Air Force Band (Italy), the Band of the Royal Netherlands Marines, the Royal Hellenic Band (Greece), the Staff Music Corps (Bonn, Germany), the National Band of the Canadian Forces (Ottawa), The Dallas Wind Symphony, the Gamagori Band and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (Japan). Col. Gabriel was named Music Director Emeritus of the McLean (Virginia) Orchestra for his outstanding leadership from 1986 to 2002. Col. Gabriel continues to appear as clinician at major state, regional, and university music festivals and guest conducts outstanding school, college, municipal, and military bands as well as orchestras around the world. ________________________________________________________________

Eagle Squadron March – Kenneth J. Alford (1881-1945) pseudonym of Major Fredrick Joseph Ricketts, was born in London and by the time he was fourteen had lost both of his parents. Yearning for a career in military music, he lied about his age to join the Royal Irish Regiment in 1895 and remained in the Army until 1927 when he was commissioned into the Royal Marines as a Director of Music. After a total of almost fifty years of service to the Crown, he retired in 1944 in rather poor health and died in the following year. During his long military career, he wrote 18 marches that were best described as dignified and restrained “poetic” marches. He was as famous in England for his marches as Sousa was in the United States, with the most well known being the famous Colonel Bogey March featured in the 1958 film The Bridge on the River Kwai. The Eagle Squadron March was the last march Alford wrote in 1942 as a tribute to the American Airmen who joined their efforts with the Royal Air Force during World War II. Featured in this march are cleverly woven excerpts of The Star Spangled Banner, Rule Britannia, and the Royal Air Force March.

Intermezzo Sinfonico from Cavalleria Rusticana – Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) enjoyed instant success at the age of 27 when he entered his one-act opera Cavalleria Rusticana into a competition and was awarded the First Prize. It is a relatively short opera, lasting about 1 1/4 hours (and many times is paired with Ruggiero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, it being an opera of similar style and length). This is considered to be one of the first verismo operas in that it is intended to depict everyday life in a realistic way rather than by caricature or overblown romanticism. The Intermezzo Sinfonico is played by the orchestra at about the midway point of the opera, and is a truly gorgeous piece of music. In addition to its justifiable fame as a brilliant instrumental interlude from the world of opera, it has also gained fame through its use in contemporary movie soundtracks, most notably Raging Bull and The Godfather, Part III.

The Universal Judgment – Camille De Nardis (1857-1951) was born in Orsogna, Italy and served as Vice-Director of the Naples Conservatory, Director of the San Carlos Opera Theater, and Conductor of the Naples Quartet Society. Among his compositions include an oratorio and several operas. Universal Judgment was composed at a time when De Nardis was working at the Naples Conservatory. This original band work won a national composition contest the year it was written in 1878, and then was transcribed some fifty years later by Antonio E. Cafarella for the famous Goldman Band in 1934. With its dramatic nineteenth-century Italian operatic style, its many fugal sections, and its abrupt changes of dynamics, the symphonic poem is reminiscent of both Verdi and Beethoven. It is a majestic, triumphant work based on a religious concept of a journey of purification with hardships, hope, and joy for those awaiting the universal judgment. America, the Beautiful – Samuel Augustus Ward (1914-1984). Teacher Katherine Bates wrote the original words to America, the Beautiful in 1893 after a trip to 14,000-foot-high Pikes Peak. She revised the now familiar words twice. More than 60 different musical settings have been written for Bates' words, but this one by Samuel Augustus Ward is the most popular. The arrangement is by Carmen Dragon, an Oscar- and Emmy-award-winning composer and orchestrator known for his rich, lush arrangements that convey the emotion of the music to audiences. His rendition of America, the Beautiful is simply the very best ever written: simple, direct, and perfect. Program Notes compiled by Marcie Phelan ______________________________________________

A very big "thank you" to all of the many RCB members and friends who hosted our guests from the La Croix Valmer band in October. We had an incredible time with them and the

concert was only possible because of your help and generosity. Thanks so much for your support.

PROGRAM NOTES Festive Overture -- Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) is widely regarded as a leading Soviet composer. Along with Serge Prokofiev and Aram Khachaturian, Shostakovich completed the “Big Three” composers of the Soviet era. Alternately hailed and reviled by the ruling Communist Party, Shostakovich consistently answered his critics with his music. Festive Overture as transcribed by Donald Hunsberger, is a bright, bravura work for band that requires a great deal of control from all sections. Its challenging score seeks mature responses across the ensemble. The piece contains one of Shostakovich’s greatest attributes and that is his ability to write a long, sustained melodic line combined with a pulsating rhythmic drive. In addition to the flowing melodic passages, there are also examples of staccato rhythmic sections which set off the flowing lines and the variant fanfares. It is truly a “festive” overture. Liturgy of Fire – Paul Mealor (b.1975) best describes this composition in his own words: “My Liturgy (or ceremony) of Fire is an imaginary one. It is the concept of ceremony (or procession) that particularly interests me, and the importance of fire and fire worship, particularly in early cultures. Therefore, one can imagine this piece as music to accompany an early ritual celebrating the immense power and unpredictability of fire. My work begins dramatically and aggressively with the percussion section presenting the main driving-force behind this imaginary ritual; however, the music slows down and a calm elegy is presented. This offers solo passages for tuba, euphonium and oboe, before the energy of the opening returns and takes the listener, with blistering ferocity, to the work’s conclusion.” Liturgy of Fire was written for the NYU Wind Ensemble and received its first performance on December 6, 2006 under the baton of Dr. Christian Wilhjelm. The Shadow of Thy Cross – Paul Mealor (b.1975) was commissioned to write a hymn for the Glasgow Cathedral service commemorating the centenary of the First World War. The lyrics of the hymn speak of love and sacrifice. In this setting for band, the intensity of emotion is no less without the text. There is great solemnity in the chordal texture and their dramatic resolutions let the audience feel the composer’s reverent intention. This lovely sacred work delivers an aura of comfort for all listeners. Composer Paul Mealor gave special permission to Dr. Wilhjelm to set this piece for the concert band. This evening marks the first performance of this version. Festival March – Victor Herbert (1859-1924) was an Irish-born American composer, cellist and conductor. Although he enjoyed important careers as a cello soloist and conductor, he is best known for composing many successful operettas that premiered on Broadway from the 1890s to World War I. In 1898 Herbert became the principal conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, a position he held until 1904. Under his leadership, the orchestra became a major American ensemble and was favorably compared by music critics with ensembles like the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony. The orchestra toured several major cities and notably premiered his Festival March for the twelfth anniversary of Chicago’s Auditorium Theater in 1901. The march contains the style of Herbert and includes the familiar melody of Auld Lang Syne. This instrumental work has remained within orchestral programming through the years. The transcription for band presented this evening is the result of the capable hand of our very own composer, arranger-in-residence, Richard Summers. By transcribing this grand march for band, Mr. Summers is offering Victor Herbert’s Festival March to a future generation of musical performers and audience enjoyment. La Forza Del Destino – Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901). From the first brassy notes of this overture it is clear this music is about destiny. It should come as no surprise, then, to learn that the opera itself is reputedly cursed. The stories of strange happenings associated with productions of La Forza del Destino began soon after the premiere and continue to the present. While most tales involve mysterious power outages and scenery accidents, the story of American baritone Leonard Warren is much more convincing. In 1960, as the forty-eight-year-old baritone was about to sing his aria, he pitched forward on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera and died of a cerebral hemorrhage. While many singers have dismissed the curse and have happily taken a role in the opera, others such as the superstitious Luciano Pavarotti avoided it. This well known and beloved overture has become a staple of concert halls around the world, both in its original instrumentation for orchestra as well as a number of transcriptions. It contains all that the world loves about Verdi’s operatic works, intense drama, driving rhythms, and hauntingly beautiful melodies.

Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor, professional musician and educator, has been the Ridgewood Concert Band’s Musical Director since it was founded in 1983. He was also Music Director of the renowned Goldman Memorial Band in New York City. As a guest conductor, Dr. Wilhjelm has conducted the West Point Band, the United States Army Field Band, the Virginia Wind Symphony, the Allentown Band, the Hanover Winds, the Raritan Wind Symphony, and the Norwalk Symphony. Dr. Wilhjelm has been the conductor of the annual New York City Tuba Christmas since 2000. He was recently appointed the conductor of the Ramapo College Concert Band. As a French horn player, he has performed under the world’s great conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Colin Davis and Arthur Fiedler. Dr. Wilhjelm has played the French horn with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops and, as a principal, with the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Boston Opera Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony. An honors graduate of the New England Conservatory, he received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1998. He has been the band director at Pascack Hills High School since 1984. Dr. Wilhjelm was recently honored by his election to the American Bandmasters Association. He is the 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Conductor Award presented by the Association of Concert Bands. Dr Wilhjelm is the state chair for the National Band Association. In 2013, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Concert Bands. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Ridgewood Concert Band (RCB), A New Jersey Wind Symphony, in its

33rd season, is one of the leading wind ensembles in the United States. Founded by community leaders, dedicated musicians and Music Director Chris Wilhjelm in 1983, the RCB is committed to engaging and inspiring our audiences with the finest in traditional and contemporary wind literature. Led by Dr.

Wilhjelm, the band is composed of professional, amateur and student players drawn from across the tri-state area.

PICCOLO

Max Taylor

FLUTES Kristin Bacchiocchi-Stewart *

Jill Bloom Carolyn Crumb

Lisandra Hernandez Jennifer Kasyan

Annette Lieb Tomomi Takamoto

Jennifer Wise

OBOES Kyungmi Bae

Mark Donellan Laurel Gilmer

ENGLISH HORN

Mark Donellan

BASSOONS Bob Gray*

Elaine Schlatter

Eb & Bb CLARINET Michelle McGuire

CLARINETS

Jeffrey Bittner Suzanne Coletta

Naomi Freshwater Ashley Grutta

Michelle McGuire Leigh Myers

Marcie Phelan Jean Roughgarden

Beth Seavers Neil Sheehan

Karen Summers Richard Summers *

Janet Vidovich

BASS CLARINETS Joel Kolk * Joe Mariany

SAXOPHONES Andre Baruch - Soprano, Alto

Christopher Mantell - Alto Jacqueline Sarracco - Alto

Ryan Mantell - Tenor Michael DePompeo - Baritone

CORNETS/TRUMPETS

Dave Bychek Mike Connor

Tammy McLaughlin Michael Russo Ann Sirinides Tony Spinuzzi

Roger Widicus *

FRENCH HORNS Megan Chann

Ben Fine Carolyn Kirby *

Brian McLaughlin Bryan Meyer

Deloss Schertz

TROMBONES Thomas Abbate *

Lloyd DeVries Stephanie Dutcher

Paul Kirby Keith Marson Paul Paustian Nate Rensink

Gabe Stephens

EUPHONIUMS Robyn Keyes

John Palatucci * Donald Van Teyens

TUBAS Michael Gould Robert Sacchi *

STRING BASS David Marks

HARP

Irene Bressler

PERCUSSION Andrew Haderthauer

James Mallen Chris Tarantino John Wagner * Mark Zettler

* PRINCIPAL

___________________________

ASSOCIATE CONDUCTORS John Palatucci

Richard Summers

LIBRARIAN Dave Bychek

PERSONNEL MANAGER

Richard Summers

STAGE MANAGER Tony Spinuzzi

BOX OFFICE

Marilyn Wagner

PARKING DIRECTOR John Hahn

WEB ADMINISTRATOR

Deloss Schertz

PROGRAM DESIGN Joseph Stella

Prelude by the Mendham High School Wind Ensemble

Timothy Beadle, Director

Mt. Everest - Rossano Galante Second Suite in F for Military Band - Gustav Holst, edited by Frederick Fennell

Rolling Thunder - Henry Fillmore, arranged by Andrew Glover

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Festive Overture Dmitri Shostakovich Transcribed by Donald Hunsberger Liturgy of Fire Paul Mealor The Shadow of Thy Cross Paul Mealor Festival March Victor Herbert Arranged by Richard H. Summers

INTERMISSION

La Forza Del Destino Giuseppe Verdi Arranged by M. L. Lake

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor Eagle Squadron March Kenneth J. Alford

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor Intermezzo Sinfonico from Cavalleria Rusticano Pietro Mascagni Arranged by Lawrence Odom

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor The Universal Judgement Camille De Nardis Arranged by Antonio E. Cafarella

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor America the Beautiful Samuel Augustus Ward Arranged by Carmen Dragon

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor

*Flash photography and audio or video recording of this concert is strictly prohibited.*

DR. CHRISTIAN WILHJELM, MUSIC DIRECTOR

PROGRAM

PICCOLO

Max Taylor

FLUTES Kristin Bacchiocchi-Stewart *

Jill Bloom Carolyn Crumb

Lisandra Hernandez Jennifer Kasyan

Annette Lieb Tomomi Takamoto

Jennifer Wise

OBOES Kyungmi Bae

Mark Donellan Laurel Gilmer

ENGLISH HORN

Mark Donellan

BASSOONS Bob Gray*

Elaine Schlatter

Eb & Bb CLARINET Michelle McGuire

CLARINETS

Jeffrey Bittner Suzanne Coletta

Naomi Freshwater Ashley Grutta

Michelle McGuire Leigh Myers

Marcie Phelan Jean Roughgarden

Beth Seavers Neil Sheehan

Karen Summers Richard Summers *

Janet Vidovich

BASS CLARINETS Joel Kolk * Joe Mariany

SAXOPHONES Andre Baruch - Soprano, Alto

Christopher Mantell - Alto Jacqueline Sarracco - Alto

Ryan Mantell - Tenor Michael DePompeo - Baritone

CORNETS/TRUMPETS

Dave Bychek Mike Connor

Tammy McLaughlin Michael Russo Ann Sirinides Tony Spinuzzi

Roger Widicus *

FRENCH HORNS Megan Chann

Ben Fine Carolyn Kirby *

Brian McLaughlin Bryan Meyer

Deloss Schertz

TROMBONES Thomas Abbate *

Lloyd DeVries Stephanie Dutcher

Paul Kirby Keith Marson Paul Paustian Nate Rensink

Gabe Stephens

EUPHONIUMS Robyn Keyes

John Palatucci * Donald Van Teyens

TUBAS Michael Gould Robert Sacchi *

STRING BASS David Marks

HARP

Irene Bressler

PERCUSSION Andrew Haderthauer

James Mallen Chris Tarantino John Wagner * Mark Zettler

* PRINCIPAL

___________________________

ASSOCIATE CONDUCTORS John Palatucci

Richard Summers

LIBRARIAN Dave Bychek

PERSONNEL MANAGER

Richard Summers

STAGE MANAGER Tony Spinuzzi

BOX OFFICE

Marilyn Wagner

PARKING DIRECTOR John Hahn

WEB ADMINISTRATOR

Deloss Schertz

PROGRAM DESIGN Joseph Stella

Prelude by the Mendham High School Wind Ensemble

Timothy Beadle, Director

Mt. Everest - Rossano Galante Second Suite in F for Military Band - Gustav Holst, edited by Frederick Fennell

Rolling Thunder - Henry Fillmore, arranged by Andrew Glover

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Festive Overture Dmitri Shostakovich Transcribed by Donald Hunsberger Liturgy of Fire Paul Mealor The Shadow of Thy Cross Paul Mealor Festival March Victor Herbert Arranged by Richard H. Summers

INTERMISSION

La Forza Del Destino Giuseppe Verdi Arranged by M. L. Lake

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor Eagle Squadron March Kenneth J. Alford

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor Intermezzo Sinfonico from Cavalleria Rusticano Pietro Mascagni Arranged by Lawrence Odom

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor The Universal Judgement Camille De Nardis Arranged by Antonio E. Cafarella

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor America the Beautiful Samuel Augustus Ward Arranged by Carmen Dragon

Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conductor

*Flash photography and audio or video recording of this concert is strictly prohibited.*

DR. CHRISTIAN WILHJELM, MUSIC DIRECTOR

PROGRAM

PROGRAM NOTES Festive Overture -- Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) is widely regarded as a leading Soviet composer. Along with Serge Prokofiev and Aram Khachaturian, Shostakovich completed the “Big Three” composers of the Soviet era. Alternately hailed and reviled by the ruling Communist Party, Shostakovich consistently answered his critics with his music. Festive Overture as transcribed by Donald Hunsberger, is a bright, bravura work for band that requires a great deal of control from all sections. Its challenging score seeks mature responses across the ensemble. The piece contains one of Shostakovich’s greatest attributes and that is his ability to write a long, sustained melodic line combined with a pulsating rhythmic drive. In addition to the flowing melodic passages, there are also examples of staccato rhythmic sections which set off the flowing lines and the variant fanfares. It is truly a “festive” overture. Liturgy of Fire – Paul Mealor (b.1975) best describes this composition in his own words: “My Liturgy (or ceremony) of Fire is an imaginary one. It is the concept of ceremony (or procession) that particularly interests me, and the importance of fire and fire worship, particularly in early cultures. Therefore, one can imagine this piece as music to accompany an early ritual celebrating the immense power and unpredictability of fire. My work begins dramatically and aggressively with the percussion section presenting the main driving-force behind this imaginary ritual; however, the music slows down and a calm elegy is presented. This offers solo passages for tuba, euphonium and oboe, before the energy of the opening returns and takes the listener, with blistering ferocity, to the work’s conclusion.” Liturgy of Fire was written for the NYU Wind Ensemble and received its first performance on December 6, 2006 under the baton of Dr. Christian Wilhjelm. The Shadow of Thy Cross – Paul Mealor (b.1975) was commissioned to write a hymn for the Glasgow Cathedral service commemorating the centenary of the First World War. The lyrics of the hymn speak of love and sacrifice. In this setting for band, the intensity of emotion is no less without the text. There is great solemnity in the chordal texture and their dramatic resolutions let the audience feel the composer’s reverent intention. This lovely sacred work delivers an aura of comfort for all listeners. Composer Paul Mealor gave special permission to Dr. Wilhjelm to set this piece for the concert band. This evening marks the first performance of this version. Festival March – Victor Herbert (1859-1924) was an Irish-born American composer, cellist and conductor. Although he enjoyed important careers as a cello soloist and conductor, he is best known for composing many successful operettas that premiered on Broadway from the 1890s to World War I. In 1898 Herbert became the principal conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, a position he held until 1904. Under his leadership, the orchestra became a major American ensemble and was favorably compared by music critics with ensembles like the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony. The orchestra toured several major cities and notably premiered his Festival March for the twelfth anniversary of Chicago’s Auditorium Theater in 1901. The march contains the style of Herbert and includes the familiar melody of Auld Lang Syne. This instrumental work has remained within orchestral programming through the years. The transcription for band presented this evening is the result of the capable hand of our very own composer, arranger-in-residence, Richard Summers. By transcribing this grand march for band, Mr. Summers is offering Victor Herbert’s Festival March to a future generation of musical performers and audience enjoyment. La Forza Del Destino – Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901). From the first brassy notes of this overture it is clear this music is about destiny. It should come as no surprise, then, to learn that the opera itself is reputedly cursed. The stories of strange happenings associated with productions of La Forza del Destino began soon after the premiere and continue to the present. While most tales involve mysterious power outages and scenery accidents, the story of American baritone Leonard Warren is much more convincing. In 1960, as the forty-eight-year-old baritone was about to sing his aria, he pitched forward on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera and died of a cerebral hemorrhage. While many singers have dismissed the curse and have happily taken a role in the opera, others such as the superstitious Luciano Pavarotti avoided it. This well known and beloved overture has become a staple of concert halls around the world, both in its original instrumentation for orchestra as well as a number of transcriptions. It contains all that the world loves about Verdi’s operatic works, intense drama, driving rhythms, and hauntingly beautiful melodies.

Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor, professional musician and educator, has been the Ridgewood Concert Band’s Musical Director since it was founded in 1983. He was also Music Director of the renowned Goldman Memorial Band in New York City. As a guest conductor, Dr. Wilhjelm has conducted the West Point Band, the United States Army Field Band, the Virginia Wind Symphony, the Allentown Band, the Hanover Winds, the Raritan Wind Symphony, and the Norwalk Symphony. Dr. Wilhjelm has been the conductor of the annual New York City Tuba Christmas since 2000. He was recently appointed the conductor of the Ramapo College Concert Band. As a French horn player, he has performed under the world’s great conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Colin Davis and Arthur Fiedler. Dr. Wilhjelm has played the French horn with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops and, as a principal, with the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Boston Opera Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony. An honors graduate of the New England Conservatory, he received his doctorate from Columbia University in 1998. He has been the band director at Pascack Hills High School since 1984. Dr. Wilhjelm was recently honored by his election to the American Bandmasters Association. He is the 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Conductor Award presented by the Association of Concert Bands. Dr Wilhjelm is the state chair for the National Band Association. In 2013, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Association of Concert Bands. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Ridgewood Concert Band (RCB), A New Jersey Wind Symphony, in its

33rd season, is one of the leading wind ensembles in the United States. Founded by community leaders, dedicated musicians and Music Director Chris Wilhjelm in 1983, the RCB is committed to engaging and inspiring our audiences with the finest in traditional and contemporary wind literature. Led by Dr.

Wilhjelm, the band is composed of professional, amateur and student players drawn from across the tri-state area.

Eagle Squadron March – Kenneth J. Alford (1881-1945) pseudonym of Major Fredrick Joseph Ricketts, was born in London and by the time he was fourteen had lost both of his parents. Yearning for a career in military music, he lied about his age to join the Royal Irish Regiment in 1895 and remained in the Army until 1927 when he was commissioned into the Royal Marines as a Director of Music. After a total of almost fifty years of service to the Crown, he retired in 1944 in rather poor health and died in the following year. During his long military career, he wrote 18 marches that were best described as dignified and restrained “poetic” marches. He was as famous in England for his marches as Sousa was in the United States, with the most well known being the famous Colonel Bogey March featured in the 1958 film The Bridge on the River Kwai. The Eagle Squadron March was the last march Alford wrote in 1942 as a tribute to the American Airmen who joined their efforts with the Royal Air Force during World War II. Featured in this march are cleverly woven excerpts of The Star Spangled Banner, Rule Britannia, and the Royal Air Force March.

Intermezzo Sinfonico from Cavalleria Rusticana – Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) enjoyed instant success at the age of 27 when he entered his one-act opera Cavalleria Rusticana into a competition and was awarded the First Prize. It is a relatively short opera, lasting about 1 1/4 hours (and many times is paired with Ruggiero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, it being an opera of similar style and length). This is considered to be one of the first verismo operas in that it is intended to depict everyday life in a realistic way rather than by caricature or overblown romanticism. The Intermezzo Sinfonico is played by the orchestra at about the midway point of the opera, and is a truly gorgeous piece of music. In addition to its justifiable fame as a brilliant instrumental interlude from the world of opera, it has also gained fame through its use in contemporary movie soundtracks, most notably Raging Bull and The Godfather, Part III.

The Universal Judgment – Camille De Nardis (1857-1951) was born in Orsogna, Italy and served as Vice-Director of the Naples Conservatory, Director of the San Carlos Opera Theater, and Conductor of the Naples Quartet Society. Among his compositions include an oratorio and several operas. Universal Judgment was composed at a time when De Nardis was working at the Naples Conservatory. This original band work won a national composition contest the year it was written in 1878, and then was transcribed some fifty years later by Antonio E. Cafarella for the famous Goldman Band in 1934. With its dramatic nineteenth-century Italian operatic style, its many fugal sections, and its abrupt changes of dynamics, the symphonic poem is reminiscent of both Verdi and Beethoven. It is a majestic, triumphant work based on a religious concept of a journey of purification with hardships, hope, and joy for those awaiting the universal judgment. America, the Beautiful – Samuel Augustus Ward (1914-1984). Teacher Katherine Bates wrote the original words to America, the Beautiful in 1893 after a trip to 14,000-foot-high Pikes Peak. She revised the now familiar words twice. More than 60 different musical settings have been written for Bates' words, but this one by Samuel Augustus Ward is the most popular. The arrangement is by Carmen Dragon, an Oscar- and Emmy-award-winning composer and orchestrator known for his rich, lush arrangements that convey the emotion of the music to audiences. His rendition of America, the Beautiful is simply the very best ever written: simple, direct, and perfect. Program Notes compiled by Marcie Phelan ______________________________________________

A very big "thank you" to all of the many RCB members and friends who hosted our guests from the La Croix Valmer band in October. We had an incredible time with them and the

concert was only possible because of your help and generosity. Thanks so much for your support.

Beth Seavers

In addition to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, among the hundreds of major orchestras and bands he has conducted are the Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Memphis, Florida, Glendale (California), Green Bay (Wisconsin), York and Williamsport (Pennsylvania), Fairfax (Virginia), Puerto Rico, and Tatui Sao Paulo (Brazil), symphony orchestras, the Carabiniere Band and the Air Force Band (Italy), the Band of the Royal Netherlands Marines, the Royal Hellenic Band (Greece), the Staff Music Corps (Bonn, Germany), the National Band of the Canadian Forces (Ottawa), The Dallas Wind Symphony, the Gamagori Band and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (Japan). Col. Gabriel was named Music Director Emeritus of the McLean (Virginia) Orchestra for his outstanding leadership from 1986 to 2002. Col. Gabriel continues to appear as clinician at major state, regional, and university music festivals and guest conducts outstanding school, college, municipal, and military bands as well as orchestras around the world. ________________________________________________________________

Col. Arnald D. Gabriel retired from the United States Air Force in 1985 following a distinguished 36 year military career, at which time he was awarded his third Legion of Merit for his service to the United States Air Force and to music education throughout the country. He served as Commander/Conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990, he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the USAF Band at a special concert held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. Col. Gabriel served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, from 1985 to 1995, as Conductor of the GMU Symphony Orchestra and as Chairman, Department of Music for eight of those years. In recognition of his ten years service to the university, he was named Professor Emeritus of Music. A combat machine gunner with the United States Army’s famed 29th Infantry Division in Europe during WW II, Gabriel received two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the French Croix de Guerre. Following his separation from the Army in 1946, Gabriel enrolled in Ithaca College, where he earned both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Music Education. In 1989, his alma mater conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Music degree and in 1997, he was further honored with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also listed in the International Who‘s Who in Music, 7th edition. Col. Gabriel’s professional honors include the very first Citation of Excellence awarded by the National Band Association, the Mid-West National Band and Orchestra Clinic’s Gold Medal of Honor and its Distinguished Service to Music Award, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s New Millennium Lifetime Achievement Award and its rarely presented National Citation for “significant contributions to music in America,” Kappa Kappa Psi’s Distinguished Service to Music Award, Phi Beta Mu’s Outstanding Contribution to Bands Award, and the St. Cecilia Award from the University of Notre Dame. Col. Gabriel was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors, becoming the youngest person ever to have received this honor, and was an inaugural inductee to the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame of Cortland High School in Cortland, New York. He is also a Past President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In 2008, the US Air Force Band dedicated the Arnald D. Gabriel Hall in his honor, and Bands of America inducted Col Gabriel into its Hall of Fame. Col. Gabriel has performed in all 50 of the United States and in 50 countries around the world.

RIDGEWOOD CONCERT BAND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PRESIDENT: Mark Zettler IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Carolyn Kirby

VICE PRESIDENT: John Wagner RECORDING SECRETARY: Annette Lieb

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: James Mallen TREASURER: Neil Sheehan

MEMBERS AT LARGE: Noreen Baer, John Butler,

Mike DePompeo, Lawrence Friedman, Kathleen Peters, Philip Peters, Thomas P. Price & Deloss Schertz

Printing of this program generously underwritten by Konica Minolta Business Solutions.

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Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant

funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. ________________________________________________________________________

The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to thank all of the many volunteers who have made this concert possible.

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The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to give a special “thank you” to the Pascack Valley Regional

High School District. The Pascack Hills High School Band room is our weekly rehearsal site.

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For additional RCB information, please visit our website or scan our QR code:

WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG

Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, Music Director

A Season of Classics

FEATURED GUEST CONDUCTOR Colonel Arnald Gabriel

FEATURED CLASSIC Festive Overture

Dmitri Shostakovich

PRELUDE CONCERT - 7:30 PM Mendham High School Wind Ensemble

Timothy Beadle, Director

Friday, December 4, 2015 - 8:00 PM West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a Proud Sponsor of

the Ridgewood Concert Band

BENEFACTOR ($3,000 and above) Lindsay B. Gallagher

Thomas & Victoria Price D

Paul & Helene Emanuel Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/

Bank of America Corp.

PATRON ($2,000 to $2,999) Carolyn & Howard Crumb

SPONSOR ($1,000 to $1,999)

Michael & Darel-Ann DePompeo Emilio & Maria Uriarte

Judith Widicus In Memory of John R. Rodland

In Memory of Warren Grim Daichii Sankyo, Inc.

SUPPORTER ($500 to $999)

Barbara Abney Bolger Lawrence & Donna Friedman In memory of Aquilina Lim

Keith Mogerley Randy F. Reveley

John & Marilyn Wagner Dr. Christian Wilhjelm & Jacqueline Sarracco

Patricia & Fred Yosca PVH Corporation

ASSOCIATE ($250 to $499) Annette Baron & Andrew Lieb

Mary & Paul Bergquist Jeffrey Bittner D John G. Bolger

Naomi Freshwater Paul Goldberg

Paul & Carolyn Kirby Dorothy S. Neff John J. Palatucci Neil Sheehan D

Bank of NY Mellon Blue Moon Cafe

Plymouth Rock Foundation

AFFILIATE ($100 to $249) Ginny Baird

John L. & Louise M. Butler David & Jacalyn Bychek

Suzanne Coletta Lynn & Dick Curtin

James Demes Sally Fillmore

Capt. Kenneth Force Frank & Loretta Healey Marie & Marion Kane Cheryl & James Mallen

Joseph & Deborah Marsicovete Jerrold & Mary A. Meyer

Irene Montella Mary & Michael Nussear

Marcella Phelan Deloss Schertz & Rose Kraybill

Francis & Barbara Schott Ted & Evelyn Slockbower Richard & Karen Summers

Kathleen & Harold Sylvester Janice Willet

Nancy E. Zweil

FRIEND ($1 to $99) Eileen Beaumel

Richard & Janet Boziwick Vincent & Marianne DeDea

Michelle Dugan Vicki Fiore, M.D. Katherine Grasso Richard F. Hahn

Carol & Richard Holodak Janet Johnston

Lorraine Mariella D Judith & David Maron

Elizabeth Ann McGrath Valerie Moore, in honor of Warren Grim

Betsy Murphy & Dick Sparrow Walter & Diana Perog

Albert W. Schagen Edward J. Schlamp

Beth Schroeder Seavers D Ann Sirinides D Virginia Sirinides

Alexander & Debra Taylor Richard & Jessie VerHage

Janet Vidovich Mark & Andrea Zettler D

Amazon Smile Foundation Life O' the Party

Tito’s Burritos, Ridgewood

D = "Heartbeat of the RCB" Participant If you are a recent subscriber or donor, we

may have received your name too late to include in this program and we apologize for that, but you will be in subsequent programs.

Thank you.

2015-16 CONTRIBUTORS The Ridgewood Concert Band gratefully acknowledges the support of our donors

and subscribers whose generous support makes these programs possible.

Season 33, Concert 2 - December 4, 2015