Sounds of the Season 12•22•2024
Program
The Polar Express, by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard (arr. Jerry Brubaker)
This arrangement features songs from the score of the 2004 film The Polar Express, based on Chris Van Allsburg’s award-winning children’s book. The music from the film, composed by Alan Silvestri (b. 1950) and Glen Ballard (b. 1953), won the 2006 Grammy for best song written for a motion picture and was nominated in that category for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Original songs from the score include “Believe,” “Hot Chocolate,” and the title track, “The Polar Express.” Composer and arranger Jerry Brubaker (b. 1946) has published more than 200 works for band, chorus, and orchestra and is well known for his patriotic compositions and arrangements of popular music.
Suite from The Nutcracker, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (arr. James Curnow)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893), the most popular Russian composer of all time, is best known for his three ballets: Swan Lake (1877), The Sleeping Beauty (1889), and The Nutcracker (1892). Several months before the premiere of The Nutcracker in St. Petersburg, the composer selected eight pieces from the ballet and presented them as an orchestral work, The Nutcracker Suite. The work became instantly popular—for a time, surpassing the popularity of the ballet.
The story of “The Nutcracker” features a young girl who receives a nutcracker doll as a Christmas gift; the doll comes to life on Christmas Eve and takes the girl on a magical journey.
Sleepers, Awake!, by Johann Sebastian Bach (arr. Alfred Reed)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) based the text and music for “Sleepers, Awake!” on a Lutheran chorale. He composed two versions: a cantata in 1731 and an organ prelude in 1746. The hymn became well known among U.S. audiences after it was recorded by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy. The poignant work was arranged for concert band by Alfred Reed (1921–2005), one of the United States’ most prolific composers and arrangers.
A Fireside Christmas (arr. Sammy Nestico)
Sammy Nestico (1924–2021) began his career as an arranger for the U.S. Air Force Band, the Glenn Miller Army Air Corps dance band (later known as the Airmen of Note), and the U.S. Marine Band. He later arranged music for the Count Basie orchestra as well as other jazz and pop musicians. “A Fireside Christmas” is one of the hundreds of arrangements Nestico wrote for concert and jazz band. This medley features five holiday favorites: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Frosty the Snow Man,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “The Christmas Song.”
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, by Edward Pola and George Wyle (arr. Chris Sharp )
This popular Christmas song was written in 1963 by Edward Pola (1907–1995) and George Wyle (1916–2003), and it was recorded and released that year by pop singer Andy Williams for his first Christmas album. The song is a celebration and description of activities associated with the Christmas season, focusing primarily on get-togethers between friends and families.
– Intermission –
Carol of the Bells, Traditional (arr. Chip Davis; band arr. Robert Longfield)
“Carol of the Bells” is a popular Ukrainian Christmas carol based on a four-note ostinato: a motif or phrase that is repeated persistently by the same voice and often in the same pitch. The carol has been adapted across a wide range of musical genres, from classical to country. One of the most popular adaptions of “Carol of the Bells” was released in 1988 by Mannheim Steamroller, an American new-age music group founded in 1974 by composer and percussionist Chip Davis
(b. 1947). With sales of more than 31 million albums, the group is one of the best-selling Christmas artists of all time. Robert Longfield (b. 1947) is an American composer, arranger, conductor, and educator.
Patapan, Traditional (arr. Shelley Hanson)
“Patapan” is a French Christmas carol written around 1700 that is based on the birth of Jesus. It presents the perspective of the shepherds and mimics the sounds of their simple instruments: flutes and drums. In this setting, Shelley Hanson (b. 1951) blends “Patapan” with another familiar carol, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Hanson is an arranger, teacher, and professional musician in the Twin Cities.
The First Noel, Traditional (arr. Julie Giroux)
“The First Noel” tells the story of the birth of Jesus. The melody is thought to have originated in France during the 1500s; the French word noel means “birthday.” During the early 1800s, the carol was likely brought to England by wandering troubadours. The English form, nowell, was traditionally sung on Christmas Eve, when villagers gathered to celebrate the bringing in of the Yule log. During this time, carols were thought of as popular religious songs and sung outside church. Julie Giroux (b. 1961) has written more than 100 television and film scores, as well as numerous works for symphonic orchestras, wind ensembles, and chamber groups. Her arrangement of “The First Noel” was published in 2011.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss, Albert Hague, and Eugene Poddany (arr. Larry Clark)
Theodor Geisel (1904–1991), better known as Dr. Seuss, wrote the children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas in rhymed verse and also drew the illustrations. His story of the sour, solitary Grinch, who attempts to thwart the celebration of Christmas in Whoville, was published in 1957 as a book and in an issue of the women’s magazine Redbook. The first adaptation of the book was the 1966 animated TV film narrated by Boris Karloff, who also provided the voice of the Grinch. Composer Albert Hague (1920–2001) won the job of scoring the TV film by writing “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” as an audition piece. This iconic song and the joyous “Welcome Christmas” are featured in this arrangement by Larry Clark (b. 1963), an American composer, publisher, and educator.
Chrismastime Is Here, by Vince Guaraldi (arr. Stan Bann)
Vince Guaraldi (1928–1976), a jazz pianist and composer, wrote the musical scores for all 16 Peanuts television specials. The first song Guaraldi wrote for the Peanuts series was “Linus and Lucy,” which later became the signature theme of all the specials. Guaraldi composed “Christmas Time Is Here” in 1965 for A Charlie Brown Christmas. This arrangement of the modern Christmas classic is by Medalist member Stan Bann.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane (arr D. Wagner)
Judy Garland introduced this song in the 1944 musical film Meet Me in St. Louis during a melancholy scene set on Christmas Eve. Songwriting duo Hugh Martin (1914–2011) and Ralph Blane (1914–1995) composed all the songs for the hit musical, which was later adapted into a Broadway play. In the original lyrics, Martin focused on looking ahead to a better future, but before filming of the movie began, he was asked to change some of the words to make the song more upbeat. Garland’s recording of the song became popular among U.S. troops serving in World War II.
Sleigh Ride, by Leroy Anderson
This holiday tune by Leroy Anderson (1908–1975) is perhaps his most well known. The idea for the composition came to Anderson during a heat wave in 1947, and he completed the piece in February 1948. A year later, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra first recorded the orchestral version, and it became an immediate hit. ASCAP reports that “Sleigh Ride” consistently makes the top-10 list of most-performed music worldwide during the Christmas season.
Program notes by Susan Freese
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