Upper School Winter Concert Program 2023

ASM Music Department presents

A WINTER CONCERT

FEATURING: UPPER SCHOOL CHOIR UPPER SCHOOL ORCHESTRA UPPER SCHOOL WIND ENSEMLE UPPER SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14TH 7:00 P.M. ASM AUDITORIUM

Upper School Choir Sing Dem Herrn.........................................Preatorius Veni, Emmanuel..........................................arr. Steele Glow.....................................................Eric Whitacre

featuring Mariam Damaj and Diego Marjotie, violin; Fran Lumbreras, viola, Vega Ament and Lucia Capdepon Martinez, cello; Dylan Gota Murphy, bass

Carol of the Bells................................arr. Wilhousky Glow.........................................................arr. Lojeski featuring Jaime Gomez, Rocco Mittino, David Alvarez, Edu Herrera, Daniel Lee, and special guest Max Garcia Andrews

Upper School Orchestra Brandenburg Concerto No. 4.....................J. S. Bach Wexford Carol..........................................arr. La Brie featuring Lucia Capdepon Martinez, harp

Inverno.........................................Vivaldi/arr. Parrish

Upper School Wind Ensemble Pat-a-pan.................................................arr. Marlatt Siyahamba................................................arr. Marlatt Christmas Pipes........................................arr. Brown

Upper School Jazz Ensemble Tiger of San Pedro...............................arr. Lavender Backrow Politics..........................................arr. Blair Christmas Time Is Here.....................arr.Holmes Big Band Holiday...............................arr. Stromman

Program Notes: All program notes are presented as part of IB Music SL/HL and have been edited by Dr. Suazo Veni, Emmanuel!

15th Century French Melody Arranged by Zachery Steele

“Veni, Emmanuel,” in English “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” is a traditional 15th century melody arranged by Zachary Steele. Originally the hymn was in Latin and takes us back to monasteries in 8th-9th century Europe, where it was sung seven days before Christmas Eve. John Mason Neale, an important figure of the Oxford movement, found the hymn in an appendix. He was quick to translate it and include it in his influential collection of medieval hymns and sequences which gained quick popularity. This arrangement by Zachery Steele holds was the “Winner of the 2022 Emily Crocker Emerging Composition Competition,” and is recognized worldwide.

Program Notes By Camila Ruano Glow

Eric Whitacre

Glow, is special piece composed and arranged by Eric Whitacre, a grammy award winning composer and conductor. This piece was originally destined for the World Of Color Honor Choir which premiered at the Disneyland resort in California. The choir consisted of almost 1500 voices who auditioned by video, and represented all 50 states. This song is a beautiful, emotional ballad which tells the story of a beautiful snowy winter, and reminds us all of the beauty that is Christmastime.

Program Notes By María Gil Glow

Brett Eldredge

Glow is one of the popular holiday songs written and performed by Brett Eldredge, who was famous as a songwriter, singer and record producer. The lyrics of the song describe the warmth of Christmas and emphasize the love and joyfulness of the holiday season. The song has been performed on television shows, live performances and music videos that capture the hearts of fans. Tonight’s presentation will include several jazz ensemble musicians with the choir.

Program Notes By Aoi Miura Brandenburg Concerto No. 4

J.S. Bach Arranged by Mark Jasinski

The Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 was composed around 1718 through 1721 and is a part of the 6 Brandenburg concertos J. S. Bach composed in Köthen, Germany, while he was a conductor of an orchestra. The fourth concerto is strikingly beautiful and uplifting primarily due to its changes in structure, switching from allegro (lively and energetic) to andante (a slower second movement) and concluding with Presto (a vibrant third movement); all of which are switching keys to provide the listener with more diversity in notes and harmonies. It also features various soloists in small sections, and has polyphonic aspects, having different string sections playing the same melody in a round. Please enjoy Bach’s fourth Brandenburg concerto.

Wexford Carol

Traditional Irish Carol Arranged by Katie O’Hara LaBrie

Wexford Carol is a traditional Irish carol which originated in County Wexford in Ireland, and is one of the oldest known European carols. The original carol speaks on the nativity of Jesus, and dates back to the 12th century. In Katie O ‘Hara LaBrie’s arrangement, the piece starts with an upbeat cello solo accompanied by simple bass harmonies. The song then follows up with several beautiful alternating countermelodies and simple meter changes, finishing off with a key change which brings this harmonious piece to a close.

Program Notes by Maria Gil Inverno

Antonio Vivaldi Arranged by Todd Parrish

Inverno, written by Antonio Vivaldi, is the first movement from his Concerto in F Minor also known as “Winter.” Inverno is part of a programmatic set of concertos based on the theme of the seasons. Vivaldi wrote over 500 concertos. Winter or Inverno is one of his most recognized. This piece features the cello section a great deal, though each instrumental section has something special to add to the piece.

Pat-A-Pan

Traditional French Carol Arranged by David Marlett

Pat- A-Pan, arranged by David Marlatt, is a traditional French melody which was initially sung in the Burgundian dialect. Now it has been translated to many languages and is widely recognized in the English speaking world. Published in around 1700 by French lawyer and poet Bernard de La Monnoye, it gained rapid popularity as a holiday favorite.

David Marlett’s arrangement for wind ensemble highlights every instrument playing the main melody throughout the piece.

Program Notes by Camila Ruano Siyahamba

Traditional Arranged by David Marlatt

Siyahamba is a traditional song that originated from South Africa and can be traced to the Zulu tribe. This song was made popular thanks to Andries Van Tonder who, in 1952, rewrote Siyahamba as a Christian hymn. Today, this folk masterpiece is popular for choirs from all over. The title means “We are walking,” and has an upbeat and energetic quality.

This arrangement, by David Marlatt, uses the sonorities of the wind ensemble as well as African hand percussion instruments to create a rhythmically syncopated energy.

Christmas Pipes

Brendan Graham Arranged by Michael Brown

Christmas Pipes Brendan Graham Arranged by Michael Brown Christmas Pipes, arranged by Michael Brown, was originally written in Ireland by Brendan Graham for an all-female Irish musical ensemble called Celtic Woman. Since their performance of it in 2006, it has gained increasing popularity. The song captures Irish traditions of Christmas with the holiday spirit and utilizes words such as love, joy and unity to remind the listeners of what Christmas is truly about. Although the instruments in the original are the Uilleann pipes, bodhrán (Irish drum), fiddle, and harp; traditional Irish instruments, Brown’s arrangement uses wind instruments, such as woodwinds, brass,, bass guitar and drums. Program Notes by Aoi Miura Tiger of San Pedro

John La Barbera Arranged by Paul Lavender

Tiger of San Pedro is a fast Latin chart with a lyrical melody in minor. Lavender’s arrangement features the percussion section to give it a distinctly Latin flavor. Soloists include, David Alvarez on alto, Clara De Elizalde on piccolo, Jaime Gomez on trumpet, Rocco Mittino on trumpet, Lucas Pascual on ago-go, Daniel Lee on shaker and Luken Lumbreras on drum set. Laney Bartos, Charlotte Nasser and Ollie Amber round out the rhythm section playing piano, bass and guitar respectively.

Backrow Politics

Gordon Goodwin Arranged by Peter Blair

Backrow Politics features our trumpet section throughout the piece. Not only does our trumpet section present the main funky melody but they are featured as improvisation soloists in the middle section. They are: Conor Bolster, Aoi Miura, Rocco Mittino and Jaime Gomez.

Our rhythm section is Laney Bartos, piano; Charlotte Nasser, bass; Ollie Amberg, guitar; Luken Lumbreras, drums; add much to the upbeat feel of this classic.

Christmas Time Is Here

Vince Guaraldi Arranged by Roger Holmes

This touching ballad from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has become a Christmas classic. Our performance features Maria Gil singing with the jazz ensemble. This piece also features David Alvarez on alto and Lucas Pascual on drum set as well as guest pianist, Pablo Diez.

Big Band Holiday

Arranged by Carl Strommen

Big Band Holiday is a medley of four well known holiday tunes in a swing style. This entertaining medley includes: I'll Be Home for Christmas; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Frosty the Snowman. Featured performers are Edu Herrera, trombone; David Alvarez, alto sax; Laney Bartos, piano; Ollie Amberg, guitar; and Daniel Lee, drums. Additionally, we have guest alumnus musician Max Garcia on electric bass.

Special Thanks: *

Ben Weinberg, ASM Headmaster Felim Bolster, Upper School Director Mike Nugent, Middle School Director Pablo Diez, Piano Accompanist Max Garcia-Andrews, ASM music alumnus Jorge Garcia, Sound and Lights Dani Perez and the maintenance crew Rocco Mittino, poster designer ASM friends and families ASM Upper School Musicians