Saturday, November 1, 1997

A Winter Festival

The first commercial CD published by the Concord Band, A Winter Festival, debuted in 1997. It presents winter holiday favorites under the batons of the Band’s first two Music Directors, the late William M. Toland, Music Director Laureate, and Music Director Emeritus, Dr. William G. McManus. The CD opens with Overture to a Winter Festival, commissioned as a retirement gift from the Band to Bill Toland. Its premiere in December, 1994 is presented here. Alfred Reed’s Russian Christmas Music was introduced to the Concord Band by Dr. McManus in the 1995 performance presented here, his first Holiday Pops with the Band. The piece has become one of the Band’s favorites. Also included are Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival and Sleigh Ride.

Tracks

  1. Overture to a Winter Festival (Curnow) 🕪
  2. March of the Toys (Herbert, arr. Clark)
  3. A Christmas Festival (Anderson)
  4. The Christmas Suite (Walters)
  5. The Holly and the Ivy (arr. Davis/Longfield)
  6. Russian Christmas Music (Reed)
  7. Festive Sounds of Hanukah (arr. Holcombe)
  8. Holiday Favorites (arr. Lavender)
  9. Rhapsody for Hanukah (arr. Bulla)
  10. Sleigh Ride (Anderson)
  11. White Christmas (Berlin, arr. Edmondson)
  12. Auld Lang Syne (arr. Toland)

This CD can be ordered by sending your check, annotated “Winter Festival,” for $15, including postage and handling, to The Concord Band, P. O. Box 302, Concord, MA 01742.