Holiday Concert - Sunday December 12, 2021 3 PM

 


For many years, your correspondent has been privileged to perform at The Allentown Band's annual Dinner Concert, usually held the Tuesday evening before Thanksgiving, although suspended temporarily by the on-going pandemic. 

While Dr. Demkee has chosen a variety of themes in recent years, a portion of the program usually is reserved to welcome the season. And for me, the Holiday Season truly arrives with the playing of Leroy Anderson's A Christmas Festival, the famous celebration of familiar carols by which other such works are judged.

A Christmas Festival was composed in 1950 when Anderson was the composer/arranger in residence with the Boston Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Arthur Fiedler. The orchestrations are full and lush, the transitions between songs natural and inspiring. It's as satisfying to play as it is joyful to hear.

More information is available at leroyanderson.com


Popular posts from this blog

Guest Conductor Announced for 2023 Side-by-Side Concert

Image
We are delighted to report that Major Ryan Nowlin, Assistant Conductor, US Marine Band will serve as Guest Conductor for the Allentown Band Side by Side Concert at Miller Symphony Hall on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Details to follow. Major Ryan J. Nowlin Assistant Director Major Ryan J. Nowlin joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in August 2010 as staff arranger. He was appointed Assistant Director and commissioned a first lieutenant in July 2014, earned the rank of captain in July 2016, and was promoted to his current rank in January 2020. He was appointed Executive Officer and Senior Assistant Director in May 2018. With “The President’s Own,” Maj. Nowlin has arranged and composed a variety of music for the Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, brass ensembles, and various small ensembles. He has written arrangements for an array of guest artists for national events, including a 2013 collaboration with Kelly Clarkson (“America”) and Beyoncé (“The Star-Spangled Banner”) fo
Read more

The Allentown Band to perform Showcase Concert at New York Wind Band Festival

Image
The Allentown Band has been invited to perform the Showcase Concert for the New York Wind Band Festival presented by World Projects at Carnegie Hall, NYC at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Conductor Ronald Demkee will conduct the band in John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” Percy Grainger’s “Lincolnshire Posy and the Finale to Tchaikovski’s “Symphony No. 4” Guest Soloist Omri Barak, Principal Trumpet with the Allentown Symphony, will perform James Curnow’s “Concertpiece.” Internationally acclaimed Dutch composer Johan de Meij will conduct the premier performance of his new arrangement of “James Bond 007” for Wind Orchestra. The festival is a three-day adjudicated event for high school, college, and adult bands from across the United States and Europe culminating with the Showcase Concert by the Allentown Band. The band has performed this prestigious Showcase Concert at Carnegie Hall for this festival on three previous occasions- in 2009, 2016 and 2019. The band has also performed the S
Read more
Image
 With sadness, The Allentown Band reports the passing of Donald Albright, trumpet player and long-time assistant conductor. Donald became a member of the trumpet section in 1969, and was elected assistant conductor in 1982, and every year after that until his resignation from the band last year in 2022. Donald was a graduate of William Allen High School and West Chester University, degree in music education. He taught music at Raub and Trexler Middle Schools in Allentown. As a performer and conductor, Donald was active in many groups besides the Allentown Band. He played with the Jolly Bavarians, Windjammers Unlimited and the Bud Rader Orchestra . More about Donald at legacy.com
Read more