The Fond du Lac Symphonic Band will present its 47th annual Cathedral Concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday, Nov. 12. Concerts at St. Paul’s have been held every November since 1976, with the exception of 2020 due to pandemic restrictions. Under the direction of Music Director Dr. Evan Chancellor and Associate Conductor Jill Wagner, the concert will begin at 3:00 p.m.
According to Dr. Chancellor: “(the) upcoming fall Cathedral Concert program is centered around the idea of “heart songs,” or music that speaks to sacredness in different aspects. The program includes David Maslanka’s Heart Songs, which is a tender piece in three movements influenced by chorales of J.S. Bach in the Lutheran tradition, Silent Night creatively harmonized by jazz arranger Sammy Nestico, as well as All the Day Long by Kevin Day, a joyful setting of the hymn “Blessed Assurance.”
Jill Koerwitz will lead Gloria by Randol Bass, which is a setting of the liturgical Latin text for chorus and orchestra, here revoiced by Bass for wind band. Each of these draws on specific literature from Christian worship traditions and represent beloved texts or melodies close to many of our hearts.
“Some of the other pieces on the program reflect on the people, places, or moments we hold in our heart. With Every Winter’s Breath by Randall Standridge is a lovely piece with memorable melodies and echoes of the Christmas season, but it was also originally composed as a memorial and carries a reflective sense of love and of loss. One of the pieces I’m most excited to share is Finlandia by Jean Sibelius. This tone poem was premiered in 1900 as a response to the political oppression of Finland by the Russian tsar. The famous chorale tune is not a preexisting folk song but Sibelius meant it to carry the character of Finnish music. The tune became a call for freedom for the Finnish people. This powerful chorale has also been set several times as a hymn in different church traditions and is dear to many as an anthem of freedom and unity.
In keeping with long-standing tradition, the concert will close with the band singing John Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You, with an accompaniment newly-arranged for small wind ensemble by local music educator and composer, Dr. David Thompson.
The concert will be preceded with a 30-minute organ recital by Ken Hill, who recently retired from the position of Minister of Music at Hope Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac after having served there for 25 years. Ken Hill started playing the organ for church services when he was 17, and earned bachelor and master degrees from Concordia University, Chicago, and a Masters in Church Music from Concordia University, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Marie, have three children: John, Elizabeth, and Melissa. In his retirement, Ken is continuing to serve as a substitute organist and occasional recitalist.
There is no admission charge for the concert. A free-will offering will be received.