Concert II – Pops

An American Songbook
Saturday
January 9, 2021
6:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

 

Funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts

The symphony’s annual Pops concert for the 20th anniversary season is centered right here at home, with a captivating look at what makes American music unique. With a star-studded line up of American composers and songwriters, we present “An American Songbook” to celebrate some of the great American music-makers of their day. The program’s first half takes on some of the giants of American music, including Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story), George Gershwin (Of Thee I Sing), and then an American clarinet concerto, performed by the symphony’s own principal clarinetist Dr. Tamara Raatz, composed by Frank Ticheli. The 2nd movement of the Ticheli concerto is dedicated to the great American composer Aaron Copland. The second half of the program then goes wild with orchestral settings of Johnny Mathis songs, a visit from the Pink Panther, and a conclusion with a dramatic flair—an original setting entitled “An American Anthology,” composed by Dr. Joe Stuessy, with a surprise guest artist that will have everyone on their feet celebrating the king.

 Bernstein/Mason – West Side Story Selection

Gershwin – Selections from Of Thee I Sing

Ticheli – Concerto for Clarinet, Song for Aaron
    Tamara Ratz, clarinet solo

Arr. Joe Stuessy – HEEERE’S JOHNNY! A Johnny Mathis Medley

Mancini/Custer – The Pink Panther

Arr. Joe Stuessy – An American Anthology

  * Surprise guest artist *

Dear Symphony of the Hills Family,

The symphony’s annual Pops concert for the 20th anniversary season is centered right here at home, with a captivating look at what makes American music unique. During this challenging time, we have pulled together a star-studded line up of American composers and songwriters in the format of “An American Songbook.” We seek to celebrate some of the great American music-makers of yesterday and today. The program’s first half takes on some of the giants of American music, including Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story), George Gershwin (Of Thee I Sing), and then a  modern American clarinet concerto, performed by the symphony’s own principal clarinetist Dr. Tamara Raatz, composed by Frank Ticheli. The 2nd movement of the Ticheli concerto is dedicated to the great American composer Aaron Copland. The second half of the program then goes wild with orchestral settings of Johnny Mathis songs, a visit from the Pink Panther, and a conclusion with a dramatic flair—an original setting entitled “An American Anthology” inspired by Elvis Presley, a true giant of American song, composed by Dr. Joe Stuessy, with a surprise guest artist that will have everyone on their feet celebrating one of the kings of American music.

We continue to be grateful to our musicians, board, staff, the Cailloux Theater, our sponsors, and you, our patrons, who have kept us actively serving our mission to bring the greatest classical symphonic music to the Texas Hill Country. We hope to be with you at our Pops concert on January 9, either in the Cailloux Theater, or, in your home that evening via our live stream.

I look forward to seeing you soon,

Gene

Gene Dowdy, conductor & artistic director