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THE ROCHESTER CRUSADERS TO HOST PREVIEW OF THEIR 2008 COMPETITIVE SHOWFamily, friends, and the general public are invited to attend the unveiling of this Rochester Crusaders show: THE 2008 PRODUCTION Russian Christmas Music - Cathedral Chorus Gliding Dance of the Maidens Hut of Baba Yaga Great Gate of Kiev “The Russian idiom was so successful for us last year,” program coordinator Gene O’Brien states. “The members and audience just loved this music and we figured we still have much to say on the subject.” “This music has a great visceral impact and is wonderful educationally. It gives us an opportunity to entertain – which is paramount for us – and to educate both audiences and performers,” O’Brien states. Crusaders open with “Cathedral Chorus” from Alfred Reed’s 1944 band masterwork “Russian Christmas Music.” Reed wrote this piece on commission for a concert in Denver, CO intended to improve American-Soviet relations. The “Russian piece” in this concert was intended to be Prokofiev’s “March, Op. 99” but it was discovered that the work had already been performed in the United States. Reed, an experienced studio composer and arranger, was quickly summoned to fill the gap. He had a mere 16 days to compose what would become one of the most popular and frequently performed pieces of band literature. Crusaders’ quiet moment is “Gliding Dance of the Maidens” from Alexander Borodin’s 1909 ballet “Prince Igor.” “Gliding Dance” is one of the so-called “Polovetsian Dances,” which are the best-known selections from that ballet. The material that the Crusaders are performing was incorporated into the 1953 Broadway musical “Kismet” as “Stranger in Paradise.” “We loved this piece as our ballad moment because it gives the program a populist, just plain beautiful moment,” O’Brien explains. The third segment of Rochester’s show is music from Modest Mussorgsky’s 1874 piano suite “Pictures at an Exhibition.” “This production gives brass arranger Jim Prime the chance to utilize some material that we didn’t have the opportunity to use last year. It will also be a great chance for the percussion to stretch. ‘Pictures’ was one of our strongest percussion moments in 2007.” The closer starts with the chorale from “Great Gate of Kiev,” then “Hut of Baba Yaga” and a finale of the main “Great Gate” theme. “We are very excited about this music and concept,” O’Brien states. “The Rochester Crusaders” The history rich Rochester Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps is a non-profit musical, visual and educational organization, that provides quality instruction that focuses on a musical and visual program that is both artistically and technically challenging. While being a competitive unit which travels all over the Northeast, we strive to bring the Rochester community closer to the unique activity of Drum and Bugle Corps, which we perceive as an art form. The Crusaders also strive to keep the spirit of competition and the camaraderie throughout the Drum Corps community. The Rochester Crusaders give back to the community annually with food, toy drives, concerts, and many other outreach programs. |
