Symphonic Band Program Notes

Christmas Decorations arranged by John Edmondson is a medley of three familiar and popular Christmas carols - O Come All Ye Faithful, O Sanctissima, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Unusual harmonies and instrumental color combinations are features of this unique arrangement.

John Edmondson was an internationally known trumpet player, pianist, and composer-arranger with hundreds of publications to his credit. His years of experience as a teacher, editor, performer, and conductor made him uniquely qualified as an authority in the field of education for band.

Carol of the Kings arranged by Mekel Rogers cleverly blends together two popular holiday favorites, Ukrainian Bell Carol and We Three Kings. The Ukrainian Bell Carol originally began as a folk tune to celebrate the coming of spring. In the 20th century, lyrics were added to associate the tune with the Christmas holiday and the piece has been a holiday favorite since. Although We Three Kings has a medieval feel to it, the carol was actually composed in the 19th century for a Christmas pageant in New York City. It is the first Christmas carol composed in the United States to receive widespread popularity.

Mekel Rogers has been involved in music education as a middle school band director since 1995. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Appalachian State University, a charter member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, and the founding conductor of the Union Symphony Youth Orchestra. He currently serves as the director of bands for Weddington Middle School in Union County, North Carolina. Mekel was inducted into the American School Band Directors Association in 2008. Mekel frequently serves as a guest clinician at various honor band clinics and university invitationals. He is also a respected adjudicator for many concert band and marching band events. His compositions have been performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and at various concert band festivals, honor band clinics, and other music educator conferences throughout the United States. Mekel resides in North Carolina with his wife and daughter.

Diary of a Grumpy Elf by Timothy Loest tells the story of Leon, a disgruntled Christmas elf who begins working for Santa just five days before Christmas. As Leon describes each difficult day, the band replies with a humorously arranged Christmas carol that provides a snapshot into Leon's miserable life. But in the end, Leon realizes that his work is important and that being a Christmas elf has its rewards.

Timothy Loest is a name in instrumental music synonymous with creativity, versatility, and accessibility. His works for band possess an imaginative, well-crafted style that resonates with performers and audiences worldwide. Mr. Loest had his first work published in 1995. Today he is an exclusive composer and arranger for The FJH Music Company Inc. As a clinician, Mr. Loest delivers engaging and thought-provoking presentations on various aspects of instrumental music. He frequently guest conducts bands throughout the United States and regularly accepts commissions. Mr. Loest received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University and his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. He holds membership in MENC, ASCAP, Illinois MEA, the Illinois Grade School Music Association, and the Christian Educators Association International.

Honors Band Program Notes

A Christmas Festival is described by the arranger as "concert music with a pop quality." Originally scored in 1952, this piece combines tunes from the secular and religious celebration of the holiday. Leroy Anderson has encompassed the joy, celebration, and spirit of Christmas into his setting of "Joy to the World", "Deck the Halls", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Good King Wenceslas", "Hark! There Herald Angels Sing", "The First Noel", "Silent Night", "Jingle Bells", and "O Come, All Ye Faithful".

Leroy Anderson was an American composer of short, light, concert pieces, many of which were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra. John Williams described him as "one of the great American masters of light orchestra music." Anderson's musical style employs creative instrumental effects and occasionally makes use of sound-generating items such as typewriters and sandpaper. For his contributions to the recording industry, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Hanukkah Is Here by Scott Watson is an original melody and musically conveys both the reflection and joy of Hanukkah with colorful scoring and expressive writing.

Dr. Scott Watson has taught instrumental and elective music in the Parkland School District in Allentown, PA for 35 years and serves as an adjunct professor for several Philadelphia area universities. He is a frequently commissioned composer with more than 100 published pieces for band and strings at all levels that have been performed at venues around the world, including the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and the White House in Washington, D.C. Watson has presented numerous workshops and clinics for music educators and frequently serves as a guest conductor for honor bands and festivals.

Still, Still, Still is a simple and compelling setting of an old German carol. From the sweet-sounding clarinet solo, to the musicbox-like setting heard in the mallets, to the lunch harmonies of the full ensemble, this lovely piece is destined to become a holiday classic.

Randall D. Standridge received his Bachelor's of Music Education from Arkansas State University, studying composition with Dr. Tom O'Connor. He then returned to Arkansas State University to earn his Master's in Music Composition. He has been a full-time composer and marching arts designer since 2013. Mr. Standridge's music is currently published by Grand Mesa Music, Alfred Music, FJH Music, Wingert-Jones Music, Band Works Publications, Twin Towers Music, and Northeastern Music Publications.

The Name's Claus...Santa Claus explores what Santa might sound like if he were really a secret agent! The unforgettable sounds of famous spy movies are blended with favorite Christmas carols such as Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and more to create a joy-filled explosion of holiday fun.

Mark Williams was an American composer and band director. He held a Bachelor of Arts in education degree and a Master of Education degree from Eastern Washington University and served as a woodwind performer and arranger for the 560th Air Force Band. He taught music in the state of Washington for many years, specializing in elementary band. Mark also performed regularly on bassoon and served as the conductor and artistic director for the Spokane British Brass Band.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer features the low brass and lets them show off their skills using this fun, bouncy, and highly enjoyable classic.

Johnny Marks was an American songwriter, specializing in Christmas songs. He wrote many holiday standards, including "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", "A Holly Jolly Christmas", "Silver and Gold", "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", and "Run Rudolph Run".