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As I’ve often said, composing music to honor the memory of a loved one is never an easy task. And to the family and friends of Mr. Jim Melhart, this piece comes with sincere condolences and a heavy heart.

As music written for a departed loved one is generally solemn and introspective, I was quite elated to be afforded the opportunity to compose a work of a festive nature. While being granted complete artistic freedom, my one caveat was for the piece to be quite reflective of the gentleman it honors. As Jim was a man who truly embodied vitality, generosity and joy, the idea of latin dances immediately came to mind; the ultimate result being Los Bailes Calientes (The Sultry Dances). The work consists of three distinct sections/dances:

From the outset, the Flemenco Salvaje (wild flamenco) exudes high spirit and a wonderful exuberance. Driving rhythms and a mariachi-style trumpet duet are at the forefront of this rather spicy phase.
Slow and introspective in nature, the Rumba Lenta (slow rumba) portrays the profound void felt by family and friends. While the music is a celebration of life, the anguish that comes with the loss of a loved one simply cannot be dismissed.
By way of the melancholy oboe melody, the music transitions into a beautiful haunting melody by way of the saxophone, gradually blossoming into a song of “gleeful lament” by the full ensemble.
Offering a vivid depiction of a carefree spirit, the upbeat Samba Divertida (fun samba) is quite literally a celebratory “happy dance”! While the man himself is no longer among us, the beautiful memories and strong legacy he leaves will most certainly endure. Driving rhythms and memorable melodic statements, including that of an intrepid trombone duet, quite aptly define this riveting final statement.

Los Bailes Calientes was commissioned by the Band Directors of the Rio Grande Valley (Texas), and lovingly dedicated to the memory, family, and friends of Jim Melhart.

Guest Conductor, Brandon Estes

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Composer James Reece Europe, one of the most famous African-American musicians of his day, was called the “Martin Luther King of music” by pianist Eubie Blake. He became the first African-American bandmaster in the U.S. Army. Europe was born in Alabama in 1881. When he was ten years old, his family moved to Washington D.C. and he began to study violin. Later in life, he served as the bandmaster for the dance duo of Vernon and Irene Castle, the inventors of the foxtrot. He joined the U.S. Army and was eventually made a lieutenant whereupon he was ordered by his commanding officer to form a military band. He enlisted people from a variety of places, some as far away as Puerto Rico to join his band. This band became known as the 369th U.S. Infantry “Hell Fighters” band. Europe’s legacy includes bringing ragtime into mainstream society and elevating African-American music into an accepted art form.

-Program notes taken from the Arranger, Chandler L. Wilson (ASCAP)

Co-commissioned by Northern Illinois University

Leif Albertson, Conductor

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In my high school days, I spent a lot of my time consuming and learning about Japanese culture and its fascinating history. I’ve always had the desire to listen to and emulate modern Japanese music from J-Pop to movie scoring giants such as Joe Hisaishi and the like. I have a great appreciation for the culture because it has probably influenced me the most in my musical writing and has opened my eyes to different forms a musical thought can take.

Now here we are with my new piece, Wishes & Wantings, a modern Japanese-inspired piece that speaks to my own personal experience being surrounded by Japanese culture growing up and what it also means to so many other people that I know and relate to from all walks of life.

– Program Note by composer

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From the composer of the best-seller American Hymnsong Suite comes Meditation. By combining two tunes, the Lutheran hymn If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee and the American folk song Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger, the composer expertly crafts a moving tribute to the memory of those who have passed.

– Program Note from publisher

In early 2004, I was contacted by Mr. Jeff Looman, director of instrumental music for the Calvin Christian Schools in Michigan. Looman entrusted me to create a special composition in memory of a former student, Nick Stegeman, who had lost his life several years earlier. Meditation combines two tunes, the Lutheran hymn If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee and the American folk song Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger. It is actually the second of three movements that comprise a suite entitled Music for Bright Youth. The title refers not only to Nick, but all the young musicians with whom it has been my pleasure to work over the years as well. In February of 2005, the combined bands of the Calvin Christian Schools, under the direction of Mr. Looman, premiered the entire suite as a part of their annual winter concert.

– Program Note by composer

uest Conductor, Dr. Lia Snead

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Originally for piano, The Old Boatman is a shining presentation of Price’s signature style, reminiscent of Grieg and Dvorak. Veteran arranger Dana Paul Perna expertly brings to life the lyricism and harmonic creativity of Price’s original composition in his arrangement for concert band. Florence Price was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. She began learning music from her mother at an early age and gave her first piano performance at age four, reportedly publishing a composition at age eleven. She graduate high school at the age of sixteen and in that same year was accepted into the New England Conservatory. Though a large part of her compositional output were works for piano and songs, Price is noted as the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer, as well as the first to have a composition played by a major orchestra. This took place in 1933, when Price’s Symphony No 1 in E minor was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Frederick Stock, as part of the Century of Progress World’s Fair. Price left behind a handful of published works and hundreds of unpublished ones that are only recently beginning to become known. In 2009, a substantial collection of her works and papers was found in an abandoned dilapidated house on the outskirts of St. Anne, Illinois, which Price had used as a summer home.

Guest Conductor, Dr. Lia Snead

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Commissioned by Northern Illinois University

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Conducted by Leif Albertson

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