Community band holds Dances and Folk Tunes concerts

The Flathead Valley Community Band will present two free concerts titled Dances and Folk Tunes in November.  

The concert will open with “Esprit de Corps,” an original march written by Rober Jeager. Based on “The Marines' Hymn,” this work is a kind of fantasy-march, as well as a tribute to the United States Marine Band, whose group had commissioned the work. Full of energy and drama, the composition has both solemn and lighter moments. The composer intends that this work should display the fervor and virtuosity of the Marine Band and the musical spirit and integrity of its conductor, Col. John R. Bourgeois. The band is dedicating this to all men and women serving in the military.

The band will also perform pieces with origins in Cajun folk music.

The Cajuns were a group of early French colonists who settled in modern-day Nova Scotia before relocating to Louisiana after a British invasion. Various Westernized variations of their traditional music arose, leading the Lomax brothers to record many folk songs from the South. It is two of these recordings, “Le Belle et le Capitaine” and “Belle,” that appear in “Cajun Folk Songs” written by Frank Tichelli.  The composer notes that he attempted to retain the emotive freedom of “Belle” by changing time signatures to fit the melancholy melody, which is made all the more bittersweet with an additional countermelody. The second movement is a dramatic tale of an attempt to rescue their ill sweetheart. It is full of the rush to return to the unwell sweetheart, broken by anxious brass interjections. It rushes to the end before concluding with fanfare.

“Dance of the Imp” by David Samuel is written in a style reminiscent of Edvard Grieg's March of the Dwarfs, this masterful work utilizes playful themes, creative harmonies, chromatic scales, and very colorful orchestrations to create a fun and light-hearted musical experience.

“Armenian Dances” is built upon five Armenian folk songs and arranged by Alfred Reed. The Apricot Tree consists of three organically connected songs which were transcribed in 1904. Its declamatory beginning, rhythmic vitality and ornamentation make this a highly expressive song. “The Partridge's Song,” which was published in 1908, has a simple, delicate melody that seemingly depicts tiny steps of the partridge. Also published in 1908, “Hoy, Nazan Eem” is a lively, lyric love song depicting a young man singing the praises of his beloved Nazan. The song has dance rhythms and ornamentation which make it an impressive, catchy tune. “Alagyaz,” which is the name of a mountain in Armenia, is a beloved Armenian folk song with a long-breathed melody as majestic as the mountain itself. The piece ends with “Go, Go,” a humorous, light-textured tune. Its repeated note pattern musically depicts the expression of laughter. 

Through its inherent rhythmic vitality and strong musical textures, “Kilimanjaro: An African Portrait“ by Robert Washburn, presents a stunning portrait of the East African areas of Kenya and Tanzania, the people who live there and their rich heritage. The work is played in three sections without pause titled, The Plain, The Serengeti, The People: Masai Dance and The Mountain: Kilimanjaro.

The concert also includes a number of marches, such as “The Thunderer” by John Philip Sousa classic, “Procession of the Academics” by David Maslanka, “San Pie Folk Song March“ from China and the “Warship March” from Japan. 

The first concert is held Nov. 1, in the Glacier High School Auditorium, 375 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell. The second concert is set for Nov. 8 in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, 127 Spokane Ave, Whitefish. Both concerts start at 7:30 p.m.

The concerts are free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted.