DSC Symphony Band Holiday Concert

The Dixie State College Symphony Band formally opens the College’s slate of Holiday concerts with a special concert event.

The DSC Symphony Band is under the direction of longtime conductor Gary Caldwell, who is in his 34th-year as director of bands at DSC. The symphony band will perform 10 holiday and winter-themed compositions, beginning with Randol Alan Bass’ composition entitled “Gloria,” and composer Frank Ticheli’s piece “Joy Revisited,” one of two Ticheli compositions on the program.

The band will also perform “Overture to a Winter Celebration,” arranged by James M. Stephenson, along with Ticheli’s “Amazing Grace,” and “Winterfest,” a clever medley of “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls” composed by John Prescott. In addition, the ensemble will play “Holiday Portraits,” a contemporary arrangement of classic Christmas carols arranged by composer Sean O’Laughlin; Gustav Holst’s “Christmas Day,” which is a set of variations on “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” with portions of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “The First Noel” interwoven in the piece; and the Alfred Reed composition “Russian Christmas Music.”

The Symphony Band will conclude the evening with a modern composition entitled “Across the Halfpipe,” a light-hearted winter snowboarding piece written by composer Samuel R. Hazo, and “A Holiday Celebration” a refreshing holiday musical spectacular featuring four popular carols written by the gifted arranger for the United States Air Force Band Larry MacTaggart.

The DSC Symphony Band performs twice each semester, including a pair of concerts during the 2013 spring semester on Feb. 22, and April 19. All remaining concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m., in the Eccles Fine Arts Center Concert Hall.