Elementary School

Presents the Spring 2022 Program:

Adventures Await Us!

Monday May 2nd, 2022

6:30pm

Featuring:

Symphonic Band
String Orchestra

Michael Behnke, Music Director

Location: Gymnasium
 PROGRAM

Band

Ghost Ship Michael Story

(b. 1956)

Vulcan’s Forge (2020) Patrick Roszell

(b. 1969)

Call of the Heroes Chris M. Bernotas

(b. 1969)

The Great Locomotive Chase Robert W. Smith

(b. 1958)

Intermission

Orchestra

Gargoyles Doug Spata

(b. 1975)

Wayfaring Stranger Michael Kamuf

(b. 1983)

Sea Venture Todd Parish

(b. 1971)

Ashokan Farewell (1994) arr. Calvin Custer

(b. 1939-1998)
 PROGRAM NOTES
Band
Ghost Ship:

Michael Story was born on April 27, 1956. He has composed

and arranged over 1200 pieces for young bands and orchestra, as well as
for professional groups including the Houston Pops Orchestra. Ghost
Ship is a spooky piece which utilizes characteristic dissonances that clash
with the melody. It is based on the story of the “Mary Celeste” which
was a ship travelling from New York City to Genoa, Italy in 1872, that
was found abandoned in the middle of the Atlantic with clear explanation
as to where and why its crew left.

Vulcan’s Forge:

Composed by Patrick Roszell, Vulcan’s Forge, is an industrial

piece that is inspired by the ancient Roman god of fire. It is an exciting
and fast piece that allows students to redefine their understanding of
band literature. The introduction of the metallic sounds in the piece was
especially sensational for students. Roszell is an internationally
recognized composer, arranger, and educator of band, orchestra, and
choral music.

Call of the Heroes:

Chris M. Bernotas, born in 1969, is a widely sought-after

composer and author in the music world. He is also a clinician and
educator, traveling the country to work with young ensembles. Call of
the Heroes follows the 10th anniversary of the events of 9/11. Bernotas
invites both the audience and the performers to reflect on heroes in their
lives, whether it be teachers, parents, or first responders, and marks this
piece as a tribute to them.

The Great Locomotive Chase:

Robert W. Smith was born on October 24, 1958. With over 700
published works, Smith is a leading composer of music for all ages. The
Great Locomotive Chase was inspired by the railway events that took
place at the beginning of the Civil War, between Atlanta and
Chattanooga. This piece uses many exciting sound effects that portray a
train racing up and down the coast. The solo lines in the middle of the
piece helped pose more challenges for our students, and contrast with the
energy of the beginning.

Orchestra
Gargoyles:

Doug Spata was born in 1975 and has published many award-
winning pieces. An interesting fact about Spata is that he is trained in
clarinet performance, but early in his career as an orchestra director, he
started writing primarily string music. Gargoyles, being one of his most
popular pieces, takes on a dark and mysterious image while still
maintaining a fast-paced melody. The melody is passed around
throughout the orchestra and makes this piece even more powerful.

Wayfaring Stranger:

Michael Kamuf is a fairly new name to the composing and

arranging industry. As an educator, Kamuf is local to Maryland and has
pushed his ensembles to achieve top marks at festivals. This piece adds a
new level of complexity for students, in that they must take much more
responsibility for their individual parts, as the pieces layers sections and
builds on each part.

Sea Venture:

Todd Parish (1971) is a music educator, composer, and arranger.

He has led many conferences in music publications, as well as clinics for
young string orchestras. In this piece, it is important to listen for rhythms
and articulations that symbolize a boat rocking back and forth, the waves
themselves, or possibly a sea shanty.

Ashokan Farewell:

Ashokan Farewell was arranged by Calvin Custer (1939-1998),

who was a prolific arranger and composer in the 20th century. His pieces
have been played in orchestras across the country, including the Boston
Pops Orchestra. The word “Ashokan” refers to an area in New York
where the composer, Jay Ungar (b. 1946), ran a Fiddle & Dance Camp.
The piece was composed after the camp season had ended and Ungar
was feeling down, longing for the music and atmosphere of the camp.
Featured in the PBS television miniseries “The Civil War”, this piece is
well known across the country and has come to symbolize a piece of
American history.