You know, this is nearly impossible. When I plan episodes of Wind & Rhythm, all I have to do is dream up a theme, find the right amount of music that has some reason to be heard together, oh wait. Maybe it isn’t exactly easy, but when we’re celebrating another year on the air there isn’t a guiding thematic concept. And, all of the music over 48 episodes is special. So, I filtered my search by choosing only new music never heard on Wind & Rhythm in the previous 6 seasons to bring you some of the favorites from our year together.

Sails of Time: David R. Gillingham
  Philharmonic Winds Osakan, David R. Gillingham
Diamond Variations: Robert Jager
  US Air Force Band, Colonel Alan Bonner
The Swan on the Hill: Jan Van der Roost
  Nagoya University of Arts Wind Orchestra,
  Jan Van der Roost
Extreme Beethoven: Johan de Meij
  Banda De Lalin, Bram Sniekers
Newsreel: William Schuman
  US Navy Band, Captain Brian Walden

Photos of young military pilots standing next to their planes always seem to feature a gaze on the face of the pilots that is unmistakeable. They are so eager to strap in and get off the runway that they seem to exerting a tremendous amount of self restraint just to keep their feet on the ground. Their minds are seemingly unattached from their bodies as they preflight what will be another adventure. Have you ever noticed that? And maybe I don’t even have to ask if you wished you could change places with them.

To Tame The Perilous Skies: David R. Holsinger
  US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Lowell Graham
First Flights: Roger Cichy
  University of Georgia Wind Symphony,
  John N. Culvahouse
No Finer Calling: An Airmen's Symphony: Julie Giroux
  US Air Force Band of Liberty, Col. Larry H. Lang
The BeeGee and the Blackbird from "Through Countless Halls of Air": W. Frances McBeth
  US Air Force Band, Colonel Alan Bonner

It may be a hundred degrees under the sun, but under the canopy of the woods, things are just a bit more comfortable. The surrounding sights, sounds, and smells help one forget the oppressive mid-summer heat. Of course, depending on one's location, a road trip to a local or state park might be in order. But, it is definitely worth it.  This week on Wind & Rhythm, we wander through the woods, enjoying all that they have to offer.

Aspen Jubilee
  Ron Nelson
  Dallas Wind Symphony, Jerry Junkin
Rosalind in the Forest of Arden
  Alfred Reed
  Eastern Wind Symphony, Alfred Reed
Dark Forest
  Luigi Zaninelli
  Rutgers Wind Ensemble, William Berz
The Forest Battle from "Star Wars”
  John Williams
  Denver Brass
Waltzes from "Tales from the Vienna Woods”
  Johann Strauss II
  US Marine Band, Colonel Albert F. Schoepper
Trees (Ta Prohm) from "Celestial Dancers for Wind Ensemble”
  Eric Ewazen
  Philharmonia à Vent, John Boyd
The Woods So Wild from "Fitzwillam Suite”
  William Byrd
  Canadian Brass
Greenbushes
  Percy Grainger
  Indiana University of Pennsylvania Bands, Jack Stamp

When from these scenes we wander
And twilight shadows fade,
Our mem'ry still will linger
Where light and shadows played.
 
To our friend, John T. Madden, upon his retirement.
​Thank you for a lifetime of leading. 
- your friends at Wind & Rhythm.

Porch Swing on a Summer Evening
from "Family Album Suite”
  Morton Gould
  US Marine Band, Colonel Michael J. Colburn
Sunset Jericho
  Henk Alkema
  North Texas Wind Symphony, Eugene Migliaro Corporon
In Evening's Stillness
  Joseph Schwantner
  North Texas Wind Symphony, Eugene Migliaro Corporon
Utopian Sunset from "The History of Mr. Polly"
  William Alwyn
  Royal Northern College Of Music Wind Orchestra,
​  Clark Rundell
Dusk
  Steven Bryant
  University of Kansas Wind Ensemble, Scott Weiss
Sleepless Night
  George Gershwin
  Canadian Brass
Rest
  Frank Ticheli
  Dallas Wind Symphony, Jerry Junkin
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
  Manny Sherwin
  Grimethorpe Colliery RJB Band, Garry Cutt

1776 was 242 years ago and it has been quite journey. Celebrating the 4th of July, at least to those of us here in the US is a time honored tradition. Throughout our history, Americans have listened to wind bands and been stirred by the music that marks the American experience. 

The music of independence and liberty almost always moves us. And in keeping with our traditions here at the gathering place for people who love band music, this show will bring music that you might not hear in the park or at a 4th of July celebration.

American Fanfare
  James Stephenson
  US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Douglas Monroe
Largo from The New World Symphony
  Anton Dvorak
  Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band
Revolutionary Fantasy
  Ernest Williams
  University of Central Oklahoma Wind Symphony,
  Brian Lamb
American Hymn
  William Schuman
  Keystone Wind Ensemble, Jack Stamp
American Faces
  David R. Holsinger
  Rutgers Wind Ensemble, William Berz
Knee High on The Fourth
  Yuponce
  UNLV Wind Orchestra, Thomas Leslie
Overture & March, “1776”
  Charles Ives
  US Marine Band, Timothy Foley
American Variations
  Jerry Bilik
  The College of New Jersey Wind Ensemble,
​  William Silvester

New Year’s resolutions are a tool for “futurecasting”, to look forward and consider what could happen. Musicians know if they don’t practice they could play at the wrong moment, in the wrong key, or maybe even a wrong note or rhythm. Practice is the key to being prepared, and being prepared for the New Year is all part of a New Year’s resolution.​

Symphony in E-Flat - I. Fanfare (after Copland)
  Shafer Mahoney
  Illinois Wind Symphony, James F. Keene
Procession of the Academics
  David Maslanka
  University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony,
​  Andrew Boysen, Jr.
Sails of Time
  David R. Gillingham
  Philharmonic Winds Osakan, David R. Gillingham
Thus Spake Zarathustra
  Strauss, Richard/Hindsley
  University of Illinois Symphonic Band, Dr. Harry Begian

There is a community of people in the US that show an amazing capacity to hear the words honor, duty, and sacrifice and then act on those thoughts and meanings on behalf of everyone else.  We see it idealized in movies and television, but the attitudes of the veterans of our military forces aren’t all wrapped up in the characters everyone can see on screen.

America the Brave: Stephen Melillo
  US Army Continental Band
That Others May Live: Jeremy Martin
  US Air Force Band of the Golden West
A Hymn for the Lost and the Living: Eric Ewazen
  US Coast Guard Band
Epilogue: Lest We Forget: Robert Jager
  US Army Field Band
Heroes, Lost & Fallen: David Gillingham
  US Air Force Band of the Golden West,
  Captain R. Michael Mench
Each Time You Tell Their Story: Sam Hazo
  US Air Force Band of the Golden West,
  Captain R. Michael Mench