Symphonic Band And CWU Chorale To Perform Concert Honoring Memorial Day

May 22, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - As the traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years, many Americans have forgotten the true meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. To help remind Americans of what Memorial Day means, the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed in December 2000. In an effort to educate students to the true meaning of Memorial Day, and as a gift to the Ellensburg community, the Central Washington University Symphonic Band and the Concert Choir will perform a free concert featuring tributes to the armed forces and fallen soldiers on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at 7 p.m. in the Music Building Concert Hall.

Led by Mark Lane and Vijay Singh, the Associate Director of Bands and Associate Director or Choirs at CWU, with College of Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. Marji Morgan as Master of Ceremonies, the concert will present music written by American composers and arrangers in honor of Memorial Day.

The concert will feature Vijay Singh's, "A Just And Lasting Peace," performed by the combined 100-voice University Choir and 90-piece Symphonic Band. Also included on the program will be:
"Americans We" by Henry Fillmore - dedicated "to all of us," "Americans We," E.E. Bagley's "National Emblem" and John Phillip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" form a trio of major American patriotic marches.
"No Finer Calling" by Julie Giroux - dedicated to retired Air Force Colonel Arnold D. Gabriel, "No Finer Calling" celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. The three movements are dedicated to the values of Air Force conduct, "Integrity First," "Service Before Self" and "Excellence In All We Do." The piece arrives at its musical destiny with a narration of "A Military Prayer," delivered by Vijay Singh.
"Amazing Grace" arranged by Frank Ticheli - originally written by slave ship captain John Newton after realizing the evil of his profession, "Amazing Grace" has become one of the most beloved spiritual songs in America.
"American Salute" by Morton Gould
"Honor, Courage ... Commitment" by Stephen Melillo - commissioned and dedicated to the U.S. Navy in tribute to 75 years of service in the cause of freedom, the two movements, "Without Warning" and "Without Hesitation," demonstrate the willingness of the Navy to put themselves in harm's way at a moment's notice.
"In Memoriam" by Alfred Reed - Commissioned for the Illinois State University band, "In Memoriam" is an elegy dedicated to the fallen soldiers of war.
"Eternal Father, Strong to Save" by Claude T. Smith - based on the famous Navy hymn, this arrangement of "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" was commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Band.
"A Just and Lasting Piece" by Vijay Singh -based on President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address. America was devastated by the Civil War and Lincoln's address showed his determination to unite a deeply divided country. The powerful speech cites, "With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us the right...let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, and to care for him who shall have borne the battle". The stark imagery of the text that follows, "And for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace" provides a grim reminder of the ravages of war.

Singh writes, "Text, syllabic stress, word painting, and tonal shading have always dictated my choral writing, and I tried to channel Lincoln's speech through my musical ideas. In my opinion, the piece can be even more powerful emotionally when performed as intended, by young people honoring our nation's veterans. The piece is dedicated to my father, a Colonel in the Army reserves, and all those who served and still serve our country." The work was commissioned for the Veteran's Night of Honor in Portland, Ore., and premiered in November 2000 at Memorial Coliseum with 12 high school choirs participating, over 7000 veteran's in attendance (spanning WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War - many in their uniforms) and conducted by the great American choral conductor, Rodney Eichenberger.

The Central Washington University Symphonic Band and Concert Band would like to extend an invitation to the community to join us on this night to celebrate and honor those who have fallen protecting the freedom that we enjoy. For more information about this concert or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodations, contact Mark Lane at 963-1105 or lanem@cwu.edu.

Contact: Mark Lane, CWU Department of Music, 509-963-1105 or lanem@cwu.edu
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.