In this time of turmoil for Americans, Covenant Central Presbyterian church is offering to our community a stirring patriotic concert along with music of pure joy. The synchronization of music and video will offer a unique and unparalleled experience. The concert begins and ends with a tribute to all Americans, especially those defending our beautiful country.
Opening so many patriotic events since its composition, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man will set the exciting tone of the music to come. Aaron Copland, known as the “Dean of American composers” for his ability to weave American folk idions together with classical forms, wrote this response to the call to arms at the beginning of World War II.
The concert lightens as it progresses, moving through Rimsky-Korsakov’s Procession of the Nobles, through all Four Seasons as described by Vivaldi, to the light and whimsical Carnival of the Animals.
Returning to American music, Gershwin’s famous Rhapsody in Blue appears in an original Seipp/Fickley arrangement for piano and trumpet along with the comforting Gershwin song, Someone To Watch Over Me.
Mansions of the Lord returns us to serious patriotic music. It was written for the 2002 film We Were Soldiers, recounting a real-life 1965 battle during the Vietnam War. First performed by the United States Military Academy Cadet Glee Club, this concert’s pairing of Vietnam war footage and the hymn-like music creates a very moving experience.
To lighten the atmosphere, the concert moves to the 1917 short comedy film Teddy at the Throttle. Teddy is a dog, a great dane, driving this concert to some serious fun.
The musicians for the concert are coming from two great cities – Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh. Trumpeter Chuck Seipp is retired from the US Army Band, “Pershings Own.” Organist Todd Fickley is a world-renowned Bach scholar and plays at the National Presbyterian Church. Joining the Duo will be Catherina Getchell Samuel, who came here from Pittsburgh last fall to perform with the Williamsport Brass and as soloist for the Arituinian Trumpet Concerto.
The concert happens on Saturday, October 4, at 3 p.m. at historic Covenant Central Presbyterian Church, 807 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. No tickets, but a donation will be gratefully accepted.
