Brazosport College & Community Band to present patriotic concert

The Brazosport College Department of Music will present a patriotic concert featuring the College and Community Band at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13. The band, under the direction of Richard Birk, will be performing at The Clarion at Brazosport College. The performance is free.

“Our program will include patriotic marches, a medley of American folks songs, patriotic favorites ‘America the Beautiful’ and ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee,’ as well as a medley of Irving Berlin’s Broadway hits,” Birk said. “I hope the community will come join us as we celebrate our nation with a variety of great American music.”

Selections scheduled to be performed on February 13 include:

“America, the Beautiful” — Written in 1893 by Katharine Lee Bates and inspired by the beautiful views she encountered on a trip in the Western part of the United States.

“National Emblem March” — Composed by E.E. Bagley in 1902. The U.S. military uses a portion of this march as ceremonial music for the color guard when presenting and retiring the colors.

“George Washington’s Birthday Party” — A two-step published in 1899 by legendary march composer C.L. Barn house.

“Valley Forge March” — Karl L. King’s march written in 1943 to pay tribute to George Washington’s winter encampment.

“Let Freedom Ring” — A panoramic setting of “My Country ’tis of Thee” that captures the glory, beauty, wonder, vastness and energy of our great country.

“Irving Berlin’s America” — A concert medley of some of Berlin’s most popular songs, including “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” “Blue Skies,” “Always,” and “God Bless America.”

“American Flourish” — Robert W. Smith’s medley setting of folk songs from the American experience including “Yankee Doodle,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” and “Shenandoah.”

For more information about the February 13 patriotic concert, call (979) 230-3658.