Symphonic Band Program Notes
The Old Red Mill - Brant Karrick
The historic red mill is known across the country as an iconic image symbolizing early America's ingenuity and industry. Early 19th century water mills were used for grinding grains into flour, cutting timber into lumber, weaving cloth, making paper, making gunpowder, and eventually the production of electricity. Water mills were the tools to power factories and America's growth. In early settlements and villages, water mills were not only a way of life, but also a means of survival.
Located in the western part of New York, the village of Williamsville originated at a crossroads just above Glen Falls. The water power generated by the waterfall attracted millers. The first milt was built by Jonas Williams in 1 81 1, resulting in the village's first name, "Williams Milts." The mill became one of the earliest commercial manufacturers of natural cement in the United States, Cement produced at the mill was used on such notable projects as the locks on the Erie Canal. During the War of 1812, American soldiers were stationed in Williamsville. The area was home to a field hospital treating both American soldiers and British prisoners. Today, the water mill still stands tall in the picturesque hills of Erie County within the town of Amherst. The Williamsville Mill was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The Village of Williamsville acquired the water mill in 2005 and decided to restore and re-use the mill.
Amparito Roca - Jaime Texidor
In the early 1930's Jaime Texidor wrote Amparito Roca, a wonderful Spanish march. PLayed by many bands around the country and world, it has become standar repertoire.
Red Giant - Jorge Vargas
Red Giant depicts a dying star in its final stages of existence, when it expands and engulfs everything in its path.
The historic red mill is known across the country as an iconic image symbolizing early America's ingenuity and industry. Early 19th century water mills were used for grinding grains into flour, cutting timber into lumber, weaving cloth, making paper, making gunpowder, and eventually the production of electricity. Water mills were the tools to power factories and America's growth. In early settlements and villages, water mills were not only a way of life, but also a means of survival.
Located in the western part of New York, the village of Williamsville originated at a crossroads just above Glen Falls. The water power generated by the waterfall attracted millers. The first milt was built by Jonas Williams in 1 81 1, resulting in the village's first name, "Williams Milts." The mill became one of the earliest commercial manufacturers of natural cement in the United States, Cement produced at the mill was used on such notable projects as the locks on the Erie Canal. During the War of 1812, American soldiers were stationed in Williamsville. The area was home to a field hospital treating both American soldiers and British prisoners. Today, the water mill still stands tall in the picturesque hills of Erie County within the town of Amherst. The Williamsville Mill was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The Village of Williamsville acquired the water mill in 2005 and decided to restore and re-use the mill.
Amparito Roca - Jaime Texidor
In the early 1930's Jaime Texidor wrote Amparito Roca, a wonderful Spanish march. PLayed by many bands around the country and world, it has become standar repertoire.
Red Giant - Jorge Vargas
Red Giant depicts a dying star in its final stages of existence, when it expands and engulfs everything in its path.
La Mezquita de Cordoba - Julie Giroux
In 169 B.C. the Romans founded Córdoba. After the fall of Rome, it existed under the rule of the Visigoths and became the capital of Al Andalus, Muslim Spain, in 716.
The Moors conquered Córdoba in the eighth century and by the tenth century the city boasted a population of 500,000, compared to about 38,000 in Paris. According to the chronicles of the day, the city had 700 mosques, some 60,000 palaces, and 70 libraries - one reportedly housing 500,000 manuscripts and employing a staff of researchers, illuminators and book binders. Córdoba also had some 900 public baths as well as Europe’s first street lights.
Reigning with wisdom and justice, the rulers of Córdoba treated Christians and Jews with tolerance. They also improved trade and agriculture, patronized the arts, made valuable contributions to science, and established Córdoba as the most sophisticated city in Europe.
When the Moors conquered Córdoba, they found a Visigoth cathedral, promptly pulled it down and built a mosque complex, the walls of which enclosed about four acres. It was over 40 years in the making. Over the centuries, the Moors roofed-over and developed more and more within this complex. Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths alike were practiced within its walls, an unprecedented feat then and literally unheard of today.
When the Christians reconquered Córdoba in 1236, the new rulers were so awed by its beauty that they left it standing, building their cathedral in the midst of its rows of arches and columns. Thus it is preserved today, fondly referred to in Spain as "La Gran Mezquita."
La Mezquita contains over 500 marble, granite, and alabaster columns. Mixed into the califal styles, one can see the Byzantine and oriental influences, as well as Hispano-romanic and Visigoth elements throughout the mosque. The grandeur of La Mezquita and its colorful political and religious history has earned it its place as a true wonder of the civilized world.
"La Mezquita de Córdoba" opens with the destruction of the original Christian church in 716 A.D. and proceeds as a musical celebration of its multi-cultural, religious and artistic accomplishments.
The Circus Band - Charles Ives
In 169 B.C. the Romans founded Córdoba. After the fall of Rome, it existed under the rule of the Visigoths and became the capital of Al Andalus, Muslim Spain, in 716.
The Moors conquered Córdoba in the eighth century and by the tenth century the city boasted a population of 500,000, compared to about 38,000 in Paris. According to the chronicles of the day, the city had 700 mosques, some 60,000 palaces, and 70 libraries - one reportedly housing 500,000 manuscripts and employing a staff of researchers, illuminators and book binders. Córdoba also had some 900 public baths as well as Europe’s first street lights.
Reigning with wisdom and justice, the rulers of Córdoba treated Christians and Jews with tolerance. They also improved trade and agriculture, patronized the arts, made valuable contributions to science, and established Córdoba as the most sophisticated city in Europe.
When the Moors conquered Córdoba, they found a Visigoth cathedral, promptly pulled it down and built a mosque complex, the walls of which enclosed about four acres. It was over 40 years in the making. Over the centuries, the Moors roofed-over and developed more and more within this complex. Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths alike were practiced within its walls, an unprecedented feat then and literally unheard of today.
When the Christians reconquered Córdoba in 1236, the new rulers were so awed by its beauty that they left it standing, building their cathedral in the midst of its rows of arches and columns. Thus it is preserved today, fondly referred to in Spain as "La Gran Mezquita."
La Mezquita contains over 500 marble, granite, and alabaster columns. Mixed into the califal styles, one can see the Byzantine and oriental influences, as well as Hispano-romanic and Visigoth elements throughout the mosque. The grandeur of La Mezquita and its colorful political and religious history has earned it its place as a true wonder of the civilized world.
"La Mezquita de Córdoba" opens with the destruction of the original Christian church in 716 A.D. and proceeds as a musical celebration of its multi-cultural, religious and artistic accomplishments.
The Circus Band - Charles Ives