Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches

[RickF]

The Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches is having their final two concerts of this concert season Saturday, April 30th at Duncan Theater, Lake Worth, FL; and Saturday, May 7 at Eissey Theater, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The title of our last two concerts is "In Freedom's Light" - our annual tribute to this great country and our troops in uniform. Our guest conductor is Col. H. Bruce Gilkes, former commanding officer and conductor of The United States Air Force Academy Band. In reading Col. Gilkes bio, I noticed he started his military career as euphonium player in the U.S. Air Force Band in 1965 under Col. Arnald Gabriel. We had an extra rehearsal last night (~ 3 hours). Col. Gilkes is a very fine conductor! We usually start our concerts with the National Anthem, but since we're playing, "Fort McHenry Suite" by Julie Giroux (where Frances Scott Key was inspired to write the poem that became the words to our National Anthem), we're playing the National Anthem right after that piece. This is a beautiful three movement piece by Julie Giroux which can be heard here.

Program:
1. Chimes of Liberty - Edwin Franko Goldman
2. March Slave - Pyotr I.Tchaikowsky
3. Ode for Trumpet - Alfred Reed
4. On the Mall - Edwin Franko Goldman
5. Minnesota Rouser - Floyd M. Hutsell
6. Fort McHenry Suite - Julie Giroux
7. National Anthem - Frances Scott Key

~ Intermission ~

8. His Honor - Henry Fillmore
9. The Golden Age of Broadway - Rodgers/Hammerstein
10. El Relicario - Jose Padilla
11. The Thunderer - John Philip Sousa
12. The Light Eternal - James Swearingen
13. Armed Forces Salute - Bob LowdenMy favorite piece we're playing is "The Light Eternal" by James Swearingen. This is about the sinking of the USAT Dorchester that was sunk by a torpedo from a German U-boat during World War II off the coast of Greenland. The loss of the ship became especially famous because of the story of the death of four Army chaplains, known as the "Four Chaplains" or the "Immortal Chaplains," who all gave away their life jackets to save others before they died. I think this is one of the best arrangements done by James Swearingen. It has a very moving flute solo with a background of great harmonies by the clarinets.

[davewerden]

Looks like a very nice concert, Rick. Did you know we have a national holiday for the Four Chaplains (Feb. 3)? Saw that tidbit on this blog post:

Four Chaplains Day

It was a pretty inspiring act. There is a Chapel of the Four Chaplains in Philadelphia and a nice stained glass window in the Pentagon (shown in the blog post above). All four chaplains were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross.

[RickF]

Thanks David for that added info.

When Col. Gilkes told the story to the crowd last night, you could have heard a pin drop. Very moving story.

[RickF]

Just got the CD of our patriotic concert from May, 2011 entitled, "In Freedom's Light". I thought I'd share two tracks that sounded pretty good. The first track is the intro by our guest conductor Col. H. Bruce Gilkes to "The Light Eternal" by James Swearingen. Col. Gilkes was former commander and conductor of The Air Force Band of the Rockies and of the Air Force Academy Band. According to his bio, he started his professional music career as a euphonium player in the Air Force Band in 1965.

Intro to "The Light Eternal" by Col. H. Bruce Gilkes

"The Light Eternal" - James Swearingen
about 2 mins into the piece, the approaching torpedo is represented by a percussionist hitting a car's brake drum.


- USAT Dorchester -

[jeffo]

Sounds good Rick. Nice recording quality too.