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7th Grade
​Concert Band

Low Tide (percussion ensemble)

by Ralph Hicks

GETTYSBURG: A CIVIL WAR PORTRAIT

by Brian Balmages

From the composer:

The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War. The battle began at 5:30 A.M. on July 1, 1863, when shots were exchanged over Marsh Creek. General Lee's army arrived after noon to further engage the Federal Army. By 4:00 P.M., the Federal corps were in retreat through Gettysburg to Cemetery Hill, resulting in a Confederate victory. On July 2, Lee's forces were able to gain further ground; however, he failed to dislodge General Meade's strong position at Cemetery Ridge. Lee was unshaken by these events and planned another assault on the Federal Army the following day. 

The music opens with the eerie feelings of silence and calmness that must have been present before the commencement of the final battle on July 3, 1863. The drums, protruding from near silence, foreshadow the inevitable events to follow. ​
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AN IRISH LEGEND

Traditional Irish
arranged by Joseph Eidson

featured performers: Hailey Doyle (trumpet) and Kennedy Deegan (alto saxophone)

From the composer:

An Irish Legend uses the traditional Irish folk song "The Minstrel Boy" as the melodic material in the piece. The inspirational and emotional lyrics by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) portray the loss of several friends in the 1798 rebellion of the United Irishmen. One of the lasting messages of this song is freedom from slavery and tyranny -- a powerful message that has touched many people fighting for their country. The sense of longing, loss, and triumph found in the lyrics is reflected in the somber and lyrical style of this setting for concert band. ​

THE AVENGERS

Composed by Alan Silvestri
Arranged by Robert Longfield

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8th Grade
​Symphonic Band

Korean Folk Rhapsody

Arranged by James Curnow

This piece is highly regarded within the band community. It is one of the most performed "standards" by high school and middle school bands. 

From the composer:

Korean Folk Rhapsody is based on the folk song "Ahrirang" and takes this beautiful tune through several styles. 

The words usually associated within this tune are:
     Ahrirang, Ahrirang, Ahririo,
     As you proceed along the Ahririan pass,
     Blue the sky with its myriad stars, so
​     Sadness fills my heart within its myriad woes.

The headless Horseman

by Timothy Broege

From the composer:

This short piece compresses a fair amount of material into a brief time span. The introduction sets the stage for the entry of Washington Irving's Headless Horseman, described so vividly in the classic short story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." 

The dissonant "howl" may be the fearsome whinnying of the stallion on which the Horseman rides forth to snatch the souls of the unsuspecting. Then, the frightening ride is under way. "Beware, beware!" warn the low brass. The miniature chorale pleads desperately for salvation, but there is no hope. The Horseman resumes his charge, gathers up his harvest of souls, and rides off into the night. 

​Santa the barbarian

By Randall D. Standridge

Featured narrator: Evan Thomson

From the composer:

In this work, I have reimagined the jolly old elf as a warrior of the winter wastes. The familiar tunes of Up on the Housetop and Jingle Bells are transformed into a war cry for this incarnation of Santa, as he navigates the snowy desert with his eight mighty reign-deer: Basher, Danger, Lancer, Victim, Bomb-it, Brutis, Runner, and Blitz-Them. On Christmas night, he fights his way across the unforgiving terrain in time to bring toys to all the good children, leaving a path of destruction and candy cane carnage in his wake. 

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Upcoming Events:

Friday, February 24 - 7:00pm: Jazz Showcase (featuring SMS, EMS, & HS Jazz Bands)

Saturday, February 25 - 9:00am: SMS Jazz performance at Jazz Fest (UCM - Warrensburg, MO)

Saturday, May 13: Worlds of Fun Music Festival performances (7th and 8th grades). 

Monday, May 15 - 6:30pm: Spring Concert and Awards Ceremony (6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Bands)