Dawn A. Walker
SaddleBrooke Winds and Strings’ concert on April 24 included a variety of American-inspired tunes in anticipation of Independence Day, since many folks in the area have left for cooler climes by the 4th of July. Patriotic songs and marches were played side by side with western music, American jazz, and three concert band pieces.
The music was accompanied by a visual presentation on the big screen behind the musicians who wore red, white, and blue to celebrate our flag and victory for independence. The audience could be heard laughing at the video showing a series of horse antics accompanying the quirky piece “My Pony Macaroni,” which contains special sound effects to mimic horses. One attendee reported that her Alzheimer’s-stricken husband who “doesn’t laugh like he used to anymore” did laugh during “My Pony Macaroni.” He was also moved, saying “Wow!” after the riveting overture “Fate of the Gods,” which depicts tales from Nordic mythology. Sounds of dark foreboding are carefully balanced with more dynamic sections.
More familiar tunes included a Louis Armstrong medley accompanied by footage of “Satchmo,” Scheherazade, an arrangement for band from the famous symphonic suite by Nicholai Rimsky-Korsakov, and a medley of American songs that were among favorites of Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by rare footage of the President. Of course, no patriotic concert is complete without Sousa marches and “America the Beautiful,” with fireworks in the background.
SaddleBrooke Winds and Strings will participate in SaddleBrooke’s 4th of July festivities, and their next concert at DesertView Performing Arts Center is Sept. 28, 2024.