All Band Members Please Read!

Below are the verbal comments that will be said to introduce our pieces. This is the order in which we will play them and shows the context they will have in the program. This list will be used for all four of our concerts in May and June with one exception. Dick Papke will conduct his piece at the concert at the Minnesota Veterans Home only.

Venue host announces us. Nick steps on podium and gestures the band to stand. We turn to the audience, accept the applause, then sit and play our first piece without further comments.

Down the River.

Thank you for coming to our concert, “We THE PEOPLE!, reflections on the American Dream.” Take a moment to look at the cover of our program. In 2026 we now live in a country of 340 million diverse people. As we recognize and celebrate the vast diversity of people in our country who are pursuing the American Dream, we start with those who were already here, the indigenous people of North America. Written by Minnesota composer, Steve Heitzig, “Here on Native Land” is a sincere and heartfelt statement of respect to all indigenous people everywhere.

Here on Native Land.

Vaclav Nelhybel was a Czech immigrant whose music RULED the band world from the mid-1960s to the mid-70s. Every college and high school band was playing his music. You don’t need to know anything about Neo-Renaissance compositional technique. Just listen, and absorb, the energy coming at you! We’ll talk about it when we finish playing Festivo.

Festivo.

You can see why his music was so powerful to a whole generation of band players. Now, take a moment to reflect on how each wave of immigration brought its own unique cultural energy to this country. This constant self-renewing infusion of striving has been a huge source of vitality in the U.S.

When differing cultures meet, there is some tension. But out of that tension often comes new ways of looking at things and increased creativity. St. Louis was a hub of migration and interaction. W.C. Handy’s Dixie style song, “The St. Louis Blues,” combines jazz influences which came up the Mississippi River, with Appalachian, folk song music spreading west from the original colonies.

St. Louis Blues.

Perhaps our most iconic tale of immigration is of the Pilgrims seeking religious freedom and landing at Plymouth Rock. Ron Nelson’s “Mayflower Overture” is a “tone poem” musically depicting their journey. You will hear their spiritual angst, their determination to seek religious freedom, their arduous voyage through thunderstorms at sea, and their joyous arrival. Listen as one of our associate conductors, Cathy Augustin, “captains” the band through this musical and historical quest.

Mayflower Overture.

Let’s fast forward 150 years to the mid 1700s. The colonists had become increasingly upset with the King of England. Following the ideas of thinkers like Paine and Jefferson, personal freedom became ever more important. The ideas that everyone should be equally able to pursue their dreams, and that no one was a King or above the law, became the bedrock concept of the Declaration of Independence. Liberty was worth fighting for! “Sons of Liberty” by Larry Neeck, uses three tunes from that era. “Chester” by William Billings became a marching tune in the Continental Army. “Paul Jone’s Victory” celebrated that famous sailor, and Yankee Doodle was borrowed from the British and used to mock their opponents.

Sons of Liberty.

While we are celebrating our fight for independence, and the diversity of our American culture, one aspect of our society personifies these ideas; our armed forces. Citizens from all corners of the US have come together to protect and defend our Constitution and our nation. Their efforts and sacrifices have kept our nation safe and been a unifying element of our society. We honor these men and women with this wonderful medley of service songs, “Armed Forces Salute” arranged by Robert Lowden. Here to conduct is associate conductor, Phil Raaen.

Armed Forces Salute.

All our cultural influences have come together to make America perhaps the world leader in popular culture. Our movies and especially our popular music have set standards and interest around the globe. One such artist is Stevie Wonder. Sit back and enjoy some old favorites, “Sir Duke”, “You are the Sunshine of My Life”, “I Wish”, and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I am Yours”.

Stevie Wonder in Concert.

“We the People” can celebrate together and we can grieve together. Our next piece, “Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli, speaks comfort in a time of stress. It is said that the pain we feel at someone’s passing is a measure of the love we had for them; how significant they were to us. The gentle dissonances which begin the piece reflect that.

There are two versions of Earth Song: first as a choral piece using a text by the composer, and also as this band piece. As we play Earth Song, it may be useful to know the words as they have been a great comfort to us as musicians.

“Sing, Be, Live, See.”

The dark stormy hour, the wind it stirs. The scorched earth cries out in vain.
O war and power, you blind and blur. The torn heart cries out in pain.
But music and playing have been our refuge, and music and playing will be our light.
A light of song, shining strong: Alleluia! Through darkness and pain and strife, We’ll Sing, Be, Live, See…….. Peace!”

Earth Song.

Here is what Jerry Bilik, the composer of our concluding piece, writes about “American Variations.” “In this work, the familiar Scottish folk-tune Barbara Allen - one of the earliest popular songs in America - is woven into a series stylistic settings representing the diverse cultural heritage of the American people. It depicts musically the essence of our country as a land where the recurring theme of human dignity transcends the endless variety of its individual citizens.”

You will recognize the melody at the beginning. There are nine variations, each in a different ethnic style. We invite you to embrace and savor our diversity as the music brings us together.

American Variations.

The concert concludes with American Variations. Nick will gesture the band to stand. Don’t be bashful, you will deserve the recognition! In the event of compelling audience applause, we will play “Stars and Stripes Forever” as an encore. No announcement, just sit down and play it. Let the music speak for itself!

I believe, to the depths of my being, that this program can be a significant event to ourselves as players and to our audiences.

Let’s treasure the journey!

Nick