This summer, things in my corner of Upstate NY finally seemed to be getting back to normal after more than a year of COVID. Of course, those who have heard of the Delta variant know that this optimism was at least a little premature (the jury remains out on just how much). But it did lead to a resurgence of live performance in various forms. Here is some of what happened.
I led the Oneonta Community Concert Band, in reduced format, for an outdoor concert on on July 22. We played a mix of flexible and full band music.
Belle of Chicago – John Philip Sousa
Entrance of the Emperor and His Court – Zoltan Kodály
Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs (flex edition) – Frank Ticheli
American Patrol – F. W. Meacham
Colonel Bogey – Kenneth Alford
Yo Soy María – Astor Piazzolla
English Folk Song Suite – Ralph Vaughan Williams
The Liberty Bell – John Philip Sousa
On June 13, I played a Flag Day concert with the FULL Oneonta Community Concert Band, directed by Kerri Hogle.
The Star Spangled Banner – Francis Scott Key, arr. R. R. Bennett
A Colonial Rhapsody – Edward Madden
Our Yesterdays Lengthen Like Shadows – Sam Hazo
Hands Across the Sea – John Philip Sousa
Battle Hymn of the Republic – arr. Wilhousky and Nielson
National Emblem – E. E. Bagley
Star Spangled Spectacular: The Music of George M. Cohan – arr. John Cacavas
The Stars and Stripes Forever – John Philip Sousa
Meanwhile, Columbia Summer Winds came back! After a virtual 2020 season, they rehearsed at Clinton Cove on Manhattan’s west side, right up against the Hudson River. The repertoire included:
Linden Lea – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Street Tango – Astor Piazzolla
Hamilton Medley – Lin Manuel Miranda
Salute to Jazz – Sammy Nestico
The Mandalorian – Ludwig Görannson
Princess Leia’s Theme – John Williams
The Force Awakens – John Williams
Pineapple Poll (finale) – Sir Arthur Sullivan
Finally, I also showed up in the NYSBDA Virtual Director’s Band playing 3rd and 4th trumpet on Dana Wilson’s Shortcut Home.