Symphonic Band Program Notes by Kenneth Ayoob

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the band will perform Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait with Bernadette Cheyne as narrator with a text derived from Lincoln’s letters and speeches. This powerful work was performed recently as part of the pre-inaugural concert for President Obama.

Original Suite by Gordon Jacob is in a similar style to the Suites by Holst and features folk-like melodies and a warm blend of the colors of the wind band.

Intermezzo by Monte Tubb, Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Oregon, combines elements of light and darkness taking a simple but haunting melody through a series of rhythmic and harmonic changes.

Vesuvius, by Frank Ticheli, Professor of Music at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, portrays the last days of Pompeii before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius with a combination of driving rhythms, brilliant colors, and a lovely dance-like interlude.