Overview
At a Glance
Relive the music that defined an era — with the Blossom Festival Orchestra under the direction of Loras John Schissel. When Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington were on the radio, and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific debuted on Broadway, and everyone was proud of our country’s heroes. John Williams’s soundtrack to Saving Private Ryan is also featured in this evening celebrating history.
This concert is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.
This concert is supported by the
David E. and Jane J. Griffiths
Blossom Festival Family Concerts Fund.
Program Details
BLOSSOM FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Loras John Schissel, conductor
PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Star-Spangled Banner
music by John Stafford Smith
words by Francis Scott Key
"Mardi Gras" from The Mississippi Suite
by Ferde Grofé
Sophisticated Lady
by Duke Ellington
Ambulatory Suite
by George Gershwin
arranged by Nelson Riddle
The Generals' March
by Jerry Goldsmith
Symphonic Portrait: South Pacific
music by Richard Rodgers
words by Oscar Hammerstein 2d
arranged by Robert Russell Bennett
Stars in the Field of Blue
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCE
by Paul W. Whear
"Hymn to the Fallen"
from Saving Private Ryan
by John Williams
Selections from the Great American Songbook
with soprano Helen Welch
1. Strike Up the Band
2. It's de Lovely
3. Embraceable You
4. 'SWonderful
Music from Victory at Sea
by Richard Rodgers
arranged by Robert Russell Bennett
The concert will end at about 8:40 p.m.
The Artists
Loras John Schissel has conducted the Blossom Festival Band since 1998. He has also led performances of the Blossom Festival Orchestra and first led The Cleveland Orchestra in concert in 2007. He serves as a senior musicologist at the Library of Congress and is also conductor of the Arlington-based Virginia Grand Military Band. Read more about Loras John Schissel.
Singer, song-writer, and actress Helen Welch was born and raised in Norwich, England. She made her television debut at age three on the popular children’s program Romper Room (“I see Helen!”). While still in high school, she simultaneously earned her flute teaching diploma at the London College of Music. She has appeared in productions on Broadway and in London's West End. Read more about Helen Welch.
