College and Community Band to celebrate the music of America

The Brazosport College Department of Music will celebrate President’s Day with a concert featuring the music of America by the College and Community Band at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17.

The band will be under the direction of Richard Birk and the performance will be offered at no cost to the public at The Clarion at Brazosport College.

“Our program will include Sousa marches, a medley of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite songs, as well as a medley of Duke Ellington hits,” Birk said. “I hope the community will come join us as we celebrate the music of America on this upcoming President’s Day.”

Selections scheduled to be performed on Feb. 17 include:

“America, the Beautiful” – A magnificent setting by Jack Bullock of this patriotic favorite.

“A Lincoln Celebration” – A collection of three of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite folk songs, “Oh! Suzannah,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I See” and “Columbia, Gem of the Ocean.”

“Grand Canyon Suite” – Selections from Ferde Grofé’s iconic programmatic work from the early 1930’s musically depicting the grandeur of this American landmark.

“Absolutely Sousa” – A medley of John Philip Sousa marches, including “Washington Post,” “The Thunderer” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

“Miss Trombone” – A slippery rag by Henry Fillmore that features the trombone section.

“Ellington” – A medley of Duke Ellington’s hits, including “Solitude,” “Love You Madly,” “In a Sentimental Mood” and “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

“America (from West Side Story)” – Leonard Bernstein’s rollicking tribute to America from his hit Broadway musical, “West Side Story.”

For more information about the College and Community Band performance on Feb. 17, call (979) 230-3658.