Posters and Tickets

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Tickets and posters will be distributed next week so that we can launch sales immediately. Please keep track of the tickets you're supposed to sell and assist the teachers. Avoid creating unnecessary stress and problems for people involved in monitoring and managing ticket sales.

Leaders, please roster duties to visit other bands for ticket sales during their band practice. Meet me next week to practise what to say. Sms me, please, to arrange for appointment.

Official Concert Website

manjusrisec.net/mbrosia

We'll use this address from now onwards for our band concerts.

latest concert program update

MJR

Music-Carmina Burana

Orff drew the inspiration for his grand vocal and orchestral work from 24 poems of the 200 found in the 13th century monastery of Benediktbeuern, near Munich in Bavaria and published in 1847 under the title of Carmina Burana. Carmina is the plural of the Latin word carmen and in early time, carried the implication of student songs. Burana was the Latin name for the area we know today as Bavaria. Both sacred and secular, the texts are frank avowals of earthly pleasure: eating, dancing, drinking, gambling, and lovemaking. They proclaim the beauty of life and the glory of springtime. The music is simple in harmony and range, consistent with 13th century music, with a driving rhythm to which the listener instinctively responds. John Krance has incorporated the vocal melodies into an arrangement entirely instrumental in structure.
Composer-Carl Orff

Born in Munich, Germany, into an old Bavarian military family, Carl Orff (1895 - 1982) began piano studies at the age of five, under the tutelage of his mother. His interests in language and poetry were fostered in school. He received his formal musical training at the Munich Academy. In 1925, he helped to found the Gunter Schule, which aimed to educate the lay public in creative musicianship. Orff's techniques have been adopted by elementary school educators throughout the world. He began his career as a composer in 1925 with realizations of Monteverdi's early 17th century works. His first stage work, Carmina Burana, was composed in 1935-6 and premiered at the Frankfurt Opera in 1937; it became an outstanding success. After the War, Orff was asked by the Bavarian Broadcasting Company to develop a series of broadcasts for and with children; the pedagogical concepts of that work were captured in the five volume Music for Children.

MJR

Music-Chant and Jubilo

This piece was commissioned by the Four States Bandmasters Convention in Texarkana, Texas, and was first performed by the Four States Bandmasters Band in January of 1962. It is a work in two connected contrasting movements. The Chant is a modal movement reminiscent of the early church organum and should be done in a very sensitive manner, with the Jubilo contrasting with its explosive lower brass and percussion.
Composer-W. Francis McBeth

William Francis McBeth was born March 9, 1933 in Ropesville, Texas (near Lubbock). He attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. McBeth is a prolific composer, whose musical repertoire has become a universal standard in wind band literature. He is also one of the most respected conductors of the present day.
McBeth has received the ASCAP Special Award every year since 1965. In 1988, he was awarded Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia's Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award for his achievement and continued contribution to American music.
From 1957 until his retirement in 1996, McBeth taught at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. In 1975, he was named Composer Laureate of Arkansas, the first Composer Laureate named in the United States.


MJR

Music-Ireland: of legend and lore

It is an original composition for wind band, which draw upon the vast riches of traditional Irish melodies. The composer has chosen three castles and /or colorful characters from Irish history and folklore and put their legendary deeds to music. The piece was commissioned by the East Tennessee state university wind ensemble under the direction of Mr. Paul hinman for performance during their tour of Ireland in March of 1996. The composer was fortunate to travel with the band during their tour and conduct this fine ensemble during their St Patrick’s Day festivity performances.
The work is divided into three sections. Following a majestic introduction, the familiar 6/8 bounce of an Irish march surfaces from the ensemble. The composer has chosen Brian Boru’s march as the source material for this section of the work. As the work begins, we hear the army of brain Boru marching to battle, prepared to give their very lives for their beliefs. Following the light-hearted mach, with no battle scars to show for their journey, we hear them march off into distance secure in the preservation of their moral convictions.
The second section of the piece is based upon aromatic legend, which ended with quite a “ Twist”. The setting is Carrickhowley castle, a waterside fortification standing on a broad flat rock in wildly rocky sea inlet.
The final section of the work is based upon the multiple attacks on Cahir castle, which stands on rocky islet in the midst of the Suir, cahir castle was built probably by Conor O’ brien.
Composer-Robert W. Smith

one of the most popular and prolific composers of concert band and orchestral literature in America today. He has over 600 publications in print with the majority composed and arranged through his long association with Warner Bros. He is the principal conductor of the American Symphonic Winds and the American Festival Philharmonic Orchestra, professional recording ensembles based in Washington D.C. Mr. Smith is currently teaching in the Music Industry program at Troy University in Troy, AL



Flutes and Irish drums ensemble- Penny-flute whistle



MJR

Music-Chanteys

An original work that recalls the music of the sea and its sailors. A jaunty opening sparkles with character and style before yielding to a pensive "Andante." The piece closes with a spirited juxtaposition of thematic material. This piece was selected by the Yamaha Music Media Corporation of Japan as one of the "100 Best Pieces for Band" for 2001.
Composer-Robert Sheldon

One of the most performed composers of wind band music today. A recipient of numerous awards from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, his compositions embody a level of expression that resonates with ensembles and audiences alike. His music is performed around the world and appears on many international concert and contest lists.


Chai chee

St. Petersburg March by Johnnie Vinson

St.Petersburg, Russia was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703. Despite its relatively short life, St. Petersburg has a rich and exciting history. From the early days of Peter the Great’s “Venice of the North” to the modern events of the 1991 coup d’etat, the city has always bustled with life and intrigue, revolution and mystery. More evocative of Russia’s past than any place except perhaps the Moscow Kremlin, St. Petersburg is today considered the cultural heart of modern day Russia.

St. Petersburg March attempts to capture the spirit of this great city and its storied history. The minor keys and melodies harmonized in sixths combine to paint a musical picture of frigid winters, magnificent castles and great cathedrals. Although most of the melodic material in the march is original, parts of two Russian folk songs, Tzar Nicoli and Gori are quoted in the trio section.

Written and scored during February 2005, St. Petersburg March is dedicated to the Auburn(AL) Junior High School Honors Band and its band director, Larry Cornelius.



Chai chee

Dedication, March and Celebration by James Swearingen

Aspects of fanfare, expressivo and celebration moods are express in this wonderful piece of music written for developing band. It has full of Swearingen's delightful melodies, tasteful harmonies and spirited rhythmic percussion parts.

Commissioned by Hawken Upper School (Gates Mills, Ohio, USA) to commemorate the opening of the newly built Holtry Pool Complex.



GESS

Overture Jubiloso

A work that is thrilling for listeners and players. Bold flourishes of color are reinforced with brilliantly flowing melodic lines.
Composer-Frank Erickson

Frank received his Mus.B. in 1950 and his Mus.M. in 1951, both from the University of Southern California. He was a composer, conductor, arranger, and author. He also lectured at the University of California at Los Angeles (1958) and was professor of music at San Jose State University. In 1995 he established Frank Erickson Publications. Over the last 50+ years his compositions have become standards of the school band repertoire, and his book Arranging for the Concert Band had served as a guide for many college music majors.


GESS

Music- Eiger ( A Journey to the Summit )

Heroic themes abound as noted composer James Swearingen weaves a tapestry of musical styles to depict the emotional story of John Harlin. At the age of nine, John lost his father when he tragically fell 4000 ft. to his death while attempting to climb the mountain known as Eiger (pronounced “eye-ger”). The Eiger North Face is considered to be the most treacherous climb in all of Europe. Yet, forty years later John, with a burning desire to reconnect with his father, began the perilous journey of climbing the mountain with the nearly impossible goal of reaching the summit. Brilliantly scored, this exciting work is best described as being both stunning and beautifully breathtaking.

Composer-James Swearingen
As a performer, composer/arranger and educator include a background of extensive training and experience. He has earned degrees from Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University. Mr. Swearingen is currently Professor of Music, Department Chair of Music Education and one of several resident composers at Capital University located in Columbus, Ohio. He also serves as a staff arranger for the famed Ohio State University Marching Band. Prior to his appointment at Capital in 1987, he spent eighteen years teaching instrumental music in the public schools of central Ohio. His first teaching assignment took him to the community of Sunbury, Ohio. He then spent fourteen years as Director of Instrumental Music at Grove City High School where his marching, concert and jazz bands all received acclaim for their high standards of performing excellence.



VS

Music-Postcard from Singapore – Suite of Singaporean Folk Songs

“Postcard from Singapore” was commissioned for a concert featuring Philip Sparke’s Music when he conducted the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band.
The first movement is based on Gelang Sipaku Gelang, a well-loved folksong which has become associated with the Geylang area and which is a song about community spirit, about living together in harmony.
The slower second movement uses Di-Tanjung Katong, a song which is popular with children’s choirs. Tanjung Katong is a district on the south eastern coast of Singapore.
The third movement uses two traditional melodies: Lenggang Kangkung tells of the graceful swaying of watercress in the rice paddy fields and this is eventually combined with Munnaery Vaalibaa.
Composer-Philip Sparke

He was born in London and studied composition, trumpet and piano at the Royal College of Music, where he gained an ARCM.
It was at the College that his interest in bands arose. He played in the College wind orchestra and also formed a brass band among the students, writing several works for both ensembles.
At that time, his first published works appeared - Concert Prelude (brass band) and Gaudium (wind band). A growing interest in his music led to several commissions, his first major one being for the Centennial Brass Band Championships in New Zealand – The Land of the Long White Cloud.
He has written for brass band championships in New Zealand, Switzerland, Holland, Australia and the UK, including three times for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall, and his test pieces are constantly in use wherever brass bands can be found.


VS

Music-Symphonic Movement

Symphonic Movement is musically constructed in the form of an arch, with C as the tonal center for most of the piece. It is often said that this work, while comparatively brief, is one of the most musically intense compositions for this medium.
Composer-Václav Nelhýbel

He was a Czech-American composer, mainly of works for student performers. He is considered one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century.

He was born the youngest of five children in Polanka, Czechoslovakia. He received his early musical training in Prague, going to both Charles University in Prague and Prague Conservatory. In 1942 he went to Switzerland, where he studied at University of Fribourg; after 1947 he taught there. In 1957 he came to the United States, where he taught at several schools, including the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He served as Composer-in-Residence at University of Scranton for several years, until his death.

Most of his music is for wind instruments or concert band, and most is designed for student performers. He used non-functional modal writing, pandiatonicism, and motor rhythms extensively.




MJR

Music-Sinfonia Nobilissima

This overture is a work in the neo-romantic style and is in three sections. After a short introduction, a dramatic and syncopated fast section begins. After several false climaxes, as well as a brief fugue, the slow, more emo–tional middle section begins. In the final section of the work, a fast, synco–pated style abruptly returns and the overture ends with several deceptive, then complete chords.
Composer-Robert Jager

He was born in Binghamton, New York in 1939 and received his education at The University of Michigan. For four years, he served as the Staff Arranger at the Armed Forces School of Music while a member of the United States Navy. Currently, he is Professor of Music and Director of Theory and Composition at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. Jager has over 65 published compositions for band, orchestra and various chamber groupings, with more than thirty-five commissions including the United States Marine Band and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. He has won a number of awards for his music, being the only three-time winner of the American Bandmasters Association's “Ostwald Award.”


MJR

Music-First Suite in E-flat for Military Band

Written in 1909, the Suite in E-Flat is generally regarded as a cornerstone work for concert band and is one of the few band originals that have been transcribed for symphony orchestra. Various instruments repeat the opening theme of the Chaconne as others weave varied filigrees about the ground theme. In the middle of the first movement, the principal theme is inverted for several repetitions.
The Intermezzo is based on a variation of the Chaconne theme, presented first in an agitated style, then in a cantabile mood, the two styles alternating throughout the movement with remarkable and deceivingly simple-sounding counterpoint that is as charming as it is masterful.
The March is introduced by a British band quick-march pulse from the brass and followed by Holst's Land of Hope and Glory version of the Chaconne theme in the great sostenuto tradition of the singing chorus. Eventually, the two themes are combined in a thrilling counterpoint leading to the coda with a dynamic marking of ffff !
Composer-Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934), one of England's most prominent composers, was also a professional trombonist and a teacher of composition and organ. His music includes operas, ballets, symphonies, chamber music, and songs. During the First World War, he was placed in command of all English Army Bands, organizing music among the troops under the Y.M.C.A. Army and Education program. He continued his teaching as musical director at the St. Paul's Girls' School in the Hammersmith borough of London. His First Suite in E-Flat, Second Suite in F, and Hammersmith are hallmarks in the repertoire for wind ensemble; his orchestral suite, The Planets, is highly popular.

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Muhammad Fahmy Babjee