Dobson High School

Department of Performing Arts

Presents

 

Symphony Strings

 

Robert R. Nichols, Conductor

John P. Haggard, Associate Conductor

 

Dobson Auditorium, Mesa AZ

National Museum of the Marine Corps, VA

Thomas Jefferson Memorial, DC

Rosborough Cultural Arts and Wellness Center, DC

Wilson Health Care Center, DC

March 27 - 31, 2012

 

Click her to listen to entire concert

 

Bailes para orquesta

By Richard Meyer

 

Jasmine Truong and Veronica Riner, violins

These dances for string orchestra, with two solo violins, simply sparkle with their engaging rhythms and vitality. This work fully captures the audience and players' attention from start to finish.

An Americana Medley

By John O’Neil

Here's a great medley of patriotic tunes! Yankee Doodle; You're a Grand Old Flag; Columbia Gem of The Ocean; and Dixie are arranged with all the hoopla you would expect. It's exciting and uplifting!

 

Shenandoah traditional

arr. Bob Krogstad

David Bone wrote that "Oh Shenandoah" originated as a river chanty or shanty and then became popular with sea-going crews in the early 19lh Century. Bob Krogstad, with his skilled writing for strings, has created a fresh look at this American traditional folk song. This sensitive setting of Shenendoah is filled with melodic and harmonic freshness.

Duo for viola and cello

arr. Marcia Fountain

Kaitlyn Thomas, viola; Adrianne Pugh, cello

Originally by Michael Yost (1725 -1786) who for some reason published under the name Johann Michel. This duo was part of an Op. 7 collection of duos for two unaccompanied clarinets. Not much is known about Yost except that most of his life was spent in Paris, where he played clarinet with the Concerts Spiritul Orchestra and was a frequent soloist in concerts between 1781 and 1786. His performances and compositions were important in helping to popularize this relatively new instrument. The style of the piece is that of Mozart and Haydn.

On a Hymnsong  

David R Holsinger

David Holsinger has created a new setting for the hymn "It is Well with My Soul". This famous hymn was penned by Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss. The powerful story that led Horatio Spafford to pen the lyrics describing his steadfast faith in God is a tragic one indeed. It is worth looking up and makes this performance piece very poignant.

Hoe Down

Aaron Copland

With its recent popularity in television commercials, Hoe Down has become one of Aaron Copland's most recognized orchestral works. Here is the string orchestra version that Copland himself rearranged based on his original. The "Hoe-Down" opens by vamping the first bar of William H. Stepp's interpretation of the folk tune "Bonaparte's Retreat". In addition to the Rodeo theme other fiddling tunes that Copland states are "McLeod's Reel", "Gilderoy" and "Bonaparte's Retreat".

Calypso Jam

arr. Arthur Bachmann

After performing at many educational conferences the creators of BARRAGE had many requests for printed, published versions of their music. Many young string players sent letters and e-mails asking that BARRAGE do something to help bring the 'cool element' to their school string program. In response, the BARRAGE favorite Calypso Jam. BARRAGE is an internationally acclaimed violin ensemble that presents the violin in a unique and innovative way. BARRAGE combines diverse musical styles with dazzling choreography to produce a show that is truly spellbinding!