Download the full press release - Willamette Valley Concert Band

4-26-2017
News Release for WVCB concert, May 29, 7 pm at LaSells Stewart Center on the campus of
OSU in Corvallis
From Richard Sorenson
The Willamette Valley Concert Band will present its annual Memorial Day Patriotic Pops
Concert on Monday, May 29 at 7 pm at LaSells Stewart Center on the campus of OSU in
Corvallis. The free concert, billed as “There’s No Business like Show Business”, features show
music by Irving Berlin, Henry Mancini, Richard Rodgers and George Gershwin, patriotic music
to commemorate Memorial Day and some traditional marches.
The concert is free with no tickets required. Donations from the audience will be used to fund
music scholarships for area middle school band musicians.
Featured vocalist will be KGAL Radio morning host Jeff McMahon singing “You Can’t Take
That Away from Me” by Gershwin and “Blue Moon” by Rodgers.
Featured as horn soloist is David Sorenson, Lead Design Automation Specialist at CH2MHILL
in Corvallis, who also plays asst. 1st horn with the Corvallis/OSU Symphony, horn in the
Chintimmi Brass Quintet as well as serving as principle hornist with the Willamette Valley
Concert Band. He will play the well-known popular song “Moon River:” by song writer and
motion picture sound track composer Henry Mancini.
The concert will also feature four members of the band clarinet section playing “Pie in the Face
Polka” from the movie sound track for The Great Race by Henry Mancini.
Other show tunes include selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1950 hit musical The
King and I, and A Tribute to Irving Berlin which includes such favorites as “There’s No Business
Like Show Business” “Blue Skies”, “Easter Parade”, “White Christmas” and “God Bless
America”.
Patriotic selections will include Arlington: Where Giants Lie Sleeping by Paul Murthq which
creates a solemn scene of bugles playing for numerous memorial services for fallen soldiers at
the National Cemetery.
Elegy for the USS Arizona by Larry MacTaggart is dedicated to the memory of the Navy Band
musicians assigned to the U.S.S. Arizona in May of 1941 who were all killed along with over
1,100 other sailors during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. The piece opens and
closes with a solemn snare drum. It also includes references to the Navy Hymn, “Eternal Father
Strong to Save” to create a moving tribute to all veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice
for their country.
Celebration of Taps by Daniel Butterfield was inspired by a ceremony that was held at Arlington
National Cemetery in May of 2012. The occasion marked the 150th anniversary of “Taps” and
featured approximately 150 buglers assembled together to pay tribute to the piece first in a mass
playing of the tune and then at noon by dispersing into all parts of the cemetery and playing
individual renditions of this hallowed melody that echoed throughout the cemetery.
Armed Forces Salute features the official songs of the five U.S. Military branches plus the
Merchant Marines. Veterans and friends will be encouraged to stand during the playing of their
military group’s song.
Traditional marches on the concert will include The Circus Bee March by Henry Fillmore and
The Purple Pageant March by Karl King.
Closing the concert will be the playing of the U.S. official march Stars and Stripes Forever by
John Philip Sousa.
The Willamette Valley Concert Band, based in Albany, has played concerts in the Willamette
Valley since 1970. The 50 member band has been directed since 1972 by Dr. Richard Sorenson,
emeritus director of bands at Western Oregon University with the assistance of assistant director
Christine Barreto, a retired music teacher from the Lebanon School District.
Parking is free in Reser Stadium parking lot across the street from LaSells Stewart Center on 25th
Street.