2021-2022 Concert Season
Blue2 Percussion Emma Angoli, MHS Band Director Adam Brostowitz, Percussion Instructor Jahi Moore, Percussion Instructor Rick Schadt, Percussion Instructor Wesley Zepecki-Davison, Percussion Instructor
Mukwonago High School North Gym Saturday | February 26 | 7:00pm
Performers Due to the importance of every part, students are listed alphabetically.
Dominic Barry Logan Basterash Jeremy Boutin Andrew Brandt Sean Braun Willow Conner Jeremy Cotturone Alex DeLeon Anna DeLeon Charlie Essmann Alex Fritz Jack Gilbert Elijah Henken Matthew Jolliffe
Austin Kiselicka Emma Libecki Ilaria Nuccio Austin O'Connor David O'Connor Ryan O'Connor Claire Schiek Eli Schoof Kendal Schreiber Vito Schwartz Nathan Starr Eric Stephan Joshua Stobbe
Due to copyright and privacy laws: You may not publicly display or post recordings (YouTube, Facebook, etc.) of any part of this program.
Program Release the Kraken (2016)
John Willmarth b. 1974
The Abandoned Funhouse (2016/2020)
Brian Balmages b. 1975
Alarm! (2011)
Brian Blume b. 1985
Mechanical Miniatures (2022)
Rick Schadt b. 1988
Casa Jamz (2020)
Tanner Leonardo b. 1996
In the Sky (2020)
Patrick Speranza b. 1994
—Intermission— Deceptively Warm Coats (2022)
Jahi Moore & Wes Zepecki-Davison b. 1992 / b.1989
Circuit Breaker (2021)
Randall D. Standridge b. 1976
Log Cabin Blues (1924/1990)
George Hamilton Green (1893-1970) Kendal Schreiber, xylophone arr. Bob Becker
Taiko á la Tom-Tom (2018) Lil’ Pan Melodies (2022)
Adam Brostowitz b. 1989
Glimmer (2012) with Alexa Zakutansky, cello Vector (2020)
Steven Wulff b. 1984
Ivan Trevino b. 1983 Matt Moore b. 1985
Program Notes
Release the Kraken (2016)
John Willmarth b. 1974
Ancient tales of the Kraken go back as far the 13th century and commonly describe an octopus-like creature that was big enough to crush large ships. Today the legend of the Kraken lives on in sea lore. Release the Kraken is an action-packed, programmatic work that depicts an attack from the mythical sea creature. Dynamic swells at the beginning evoke the image of the giant monster stirring at the bottom of the ocean. As the piece develops, the Kraken emerges, wreaking havoc and destruction. Interplay between the players is meant to portray the creature’s tentacles as they flail wildly in a coordinated attack. At the conclusion, the Kraken descends back into the murky depths from whence it came. (program notes by the composer) The Abandoned Funhouse (2017/2020)
Brian Balmages b. 1975
The Abandoned Funhouse takes the listener on an eerie tour that can best be described as an unsettling experience with a touch of curiosity and anxiousness. My intent was to compose a piece that was extremely playable, yet I wanted it to sound like a legitimate film score that did not sound watered down. The piano part serves as an integral voice in the composition as well as the orchestration. An optional celesta part is included as well – this can easily be played on a keyboard and adds a great deal to the mildly disturbing mood of the piece. (program notes by the composer)
Alarm! (2011)
Brian Blume b. 1985
Alarm! presents several challenges for younger percussionists while providing more experienced players opportunities to refine and develop certain skills. Some of the challenges presented include extreme dynamic ranges and control (ff to pp), playing drags or ruffs consistently and in time, and passing and overlapping rhythmic melodies from player to player throughout the ensemble requiring strong counting and timing skills. The piece also presents a visual element that should be given as much importance as the musical elements. (program notes by the composer) Mechanical Miniatures
Rick Schadt b. 1988
Mechanical Miniatures was written with the intent of helping young percussionists develop a variety of techniques on handheld instruments. Each of the three short movements utilizes an electronic accompaniment track to not only enhance but to provide a musical context for the performers. As the performers progress through several different instrument groups, they help emulate the sounds of winding up the machine’s gears, booting up its systems, and finally in a Frankenstein-esque moment, the machine coming to life. (program notes by the composer) Casa Jamz (2020)
Tanner Leonardo b. 1996
Casa Jamz was composed during the early stages of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic as a way for young percussionists to create music at home. At the time, many ensembles had students record their individual parts at home so that they could be layered together in a “virtual ensemble” setting. The instrumentation includes many items that can be found around the house, but it can also be adapted to fit each ensemble’s creative style. For our performance, we will be utilizing ‘instruments’ found around Mukwonago High School. (program notes by Rick Schadt)
In the Sky (2020)
Patrick Speranza b. 1994
The title for this piece comes from the lyrics to the children’s song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The musical themes and use of metallic percussion instruments are meant to portray the stars shining “like a diamond in the sky.” In The Sky is intended for developing percussion students. As such, the parts are written at varying levels of difficulty to accommodate students of all levels within a percussion section. (program notes by the composer) Deceptively Warm Coats (2022)
Jahi Moore & Wes Zepecki-Davison b. 1992 / b.1989
When naming drumline warmups or cadences (such as this piece), it is not uncommon for the title to merely be a pun or an inside joke/reference to a shared experience had by the students or instructors that is seemingly unrelated to the musical content. In this instance, Deceptively Warm Coats is a reference to an inside joke between members of the Tundra Line, the drumline of the Green Bay Packers. Staying warm at games is always a challenge in January, and it became even more of an obstacle when the heavy, down-filled winter coats of previous seasons were replaced by what appeared to be fall jackets. Sensing that there was concern, the director sent out an email addressing the concern, stating that the new coats were “deceptively warm.” Turns out, they weren’t - and the use of the phrase ‘deceptively’ in place of the word ‘not’ was born. We hope you enjoy this “deceptively quiet” performance by our Blue2 Drumline! (program notes by Rick Schadt) Circuit Breaker (2021)
Randall D. Standridge b. 1976
I have written for young band for many years, and I’m always amazed at the perceived limits of what students and performers at this level can and cannot achieve. While their technical development should certainly be taken into consideration, I have also always felt that well written, well-planned music can set them up for success with concepts and skills that are considered “too advanced.” (continued on next page)
I set out to write a series of these pieces that began with Starfire Fanfare (6/8 Time), Fanfare for the 16th Empire (16th Notes), and Spero (7/8 Time). Circuit Breaker is the latest in this intended series, and it is intended to expose young players to 5/4 Time and Cut Time. The work also contains the option to be performed with “fixed media” or a “backing track.” Programmatically, Circuit Breaker is intended to evoke the sounds of a video game soundtrack or digital movie score. The computers bleep and blip as our players and audience soar above a landscape of circuit boards and transistors. The work should evoke feelings of energy, excitement, and innovation. (program notes by the composer) Log Cabin Blues (1924/1990)
George Hamilton Green (1893-1970) arr. Bob Becker
American jazz of the 1920s and 1930s achieved a “Golden Age” of popularity and development. This time period showcased everything from vaudeville acts to jazz groups in tucked away towns to high profile jazz orchestras playing in the big cities. It was a genre marked by performers who wanted to not only show their talent, but to add their ideas of how American music should look, sound, and feel. Jazz’s growing popularity helped celebrate the “Roaring Twenties,” but was equally important in helping a beleaguered populace forget the trials of the Great Depression. George Hamilton Green was one of these early jazz musicians and remains one of the most important performers and composers for the xylophone. His recordings highlighted the xylophone in a wide variety of novelty ensembles as they performed his original works in addition to the popular tunes, waltzes, and salon dances of that era. It was these original works that laid the foundation of what percussionists still use as their mallet pedagogy. In this arrangement of Log Cabin Blues, Bob Becker has adapted the piano accompaniment to be performed a marimba quartet. (program notes by the United States Marine Band)
Taiko á la Tom-Tom (2018)
Steven Wulff b. 1984
Taiko à la Tom-Tom was written with young percussionists in mind and is ideal for players who have recently been introduced to sixteenth note subdivisions. This piece to can be used to help develop confidence in individual players while also using it as an introduction to playing chamber music. The word “taiko” refers more to the general aesthetic and inspiration for the piece rather than any specific rhythms used from that tradition. Hopefully Taiko à la Tom-Tom inspires both performers and listeners to explore the wonderful world of Taiko and Kyoto drumming. (program notes by the composer) Lil’ Pan Melodies (2022)
Adam Brostowitz b. 1989
‘Steel Band’ often refers to a Trinidadian music ensemble, particularly associated with Carnival, that is primarily composed of steel idiophones—called pans or steel pans—made from the bottoms of 55-gallon oil barrels. The barrel bottoms are hammered inward, different areas being shaped to yield distinct pitches. When struck with rubber-tipped mallets, the instruments produce belllike tones. A steel band typically includes pans of various pitch ranges as well as a number of nonmelodic percussion instruments. By the 1950’s the tradition had to other islands of the Caribbean, most notably Antigua and St. Thomas. In the 1970’s expatriate Trinidadians in the United States and Europe began to teach pan in grade schools, colleges, and community centers. (program notes from Britannica.com) Glimmer (2012)
Ivan Trevino b. 1983
Sometimes, life gets crazy, especially as a full time musician. In between the hustle and bustle of touring, teaching, and bigger life events like getting married and buying a home, I needed an outlet to take a breath and relax. Glimmer speaks to the meditative part of life that we sometimes need to visit. (program notes by the composer)
Vector (2020)
Matt Moore b. 1985
Vector is progressive metal masquerading as percussion ensemble, written for keyboard percussion and electronics. The piece aims to bring across the angular, mathematical, and technical aspects of the progressive metal genre while also developing traditional percussion ensemble techniques and listening responsibilities. Vector is performed on marimbas, vibes, xylo/bells, and a trio of MIDI controllers running through Apple’s MainStage software: Malletstation, SPD-SX multi-pad, and a keyboard controller. (program notes by the composer)
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Upcoming Events Date
Time
Event
Location
Mar 1
7:00pm
MHS/PVMS Combined Jazz Concert
MHS Commons
Mar 5
7:00pm
Blue2 Perc & Winds Showcase Concert
Greenwald PAC
Mar 11
TBA
Drumming for a Difference
MHS West Gym
Mar 12
All Day
Blue2 Perc & Winds Recording Session
MHS Band Room
Mar 15
7:00pm
MHS Bands “Earth & Sky” Concert
Greenwald PAC
Mar 16
7:00pm
PVMS Bands Spring Concert
Greenwald PAC
Mar 29
7:00pm
MHS Marching Band Info Night
MHS Band Room
Apr 21-24
MHS Musical “The Wizard of Oz”
Greenwald PAC
May 16
7:30pm
MHS Bands “One Life Beautiful” Concert
Greenwald PAC
May 17
7:00pm
PVMS Bands Final Concert
Greenwald PAC
May 20
7:00pm
MHS/PVMS Combined Jazz Concert
Greenwald PAC
For more information on upcoming events, visit our website: www.mukwonagobands.org
Fine Arts Boosters
What We Do We support the arts in the Mukwonago Area School District through volunteerism, fundraising, and advocacy. How Can You Join? https://www.mukwonagofineartsboosters.com/get-involved Want to Become More Involved? Attend a meeting! Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm via Zoom. The meeting link can be found at: https://www.mukwonagofineartsboosters.com/get-involved
MFAB Sulla Cima Members Chris & April Barron The Boerger Family Jim & Barb Brown Busse Penneau Family The Caryl Family Kyle & Kristin Christensen The Cotturone Family Czeshinski Family Dave and Marin Dobbs The Fleischer Family The Fingland Family The Gilbert Family
The Groser Family Colin and Marci Hughes The Jefferson Family Robert and Shannon Krause Family The Marrari Family The Mersfelder Family Chris and Katy O'Connor Panetta Family The Pilon Family Pete and Annette Piranio The Sherrod Family Mike and Michelle Simonson
The Turk Family Sheri and Derek Watkins and Family The Weibel Family The Wilhelm Family Grandma & Grandpa Wilhelm The Winiarski Family John Grundman John & Kelly Witte Rick & Laura Witte Jarret & Anne Church
MFAB Sulla Cima Business Members Accent On Dance Alliance Manufacturing Group Eaton Employee Engagement Committee Kay's Academy of Dance Mukwonago Animal Hospital Mukwonago Family Dental Mukwonago Kiwanis Club Schreiber Financial Services Wood'n It Be Nice End of the Leash
For more information on upcoming events, visit our website: www.mukwonagofineartsboosters.com
Special Thanks MASD Board of Education Shawn McNulty, MASD Superintendent Stephanie Blue, Director of Student Learning Tom Karthausser, Director of Business Affairs Ben Kossow, Coordinator of Student Assessment Data and Analysis Christine Bowden, Director of Pupil Services Dustin Lehman, Coordinator of College and Career Readiness Steven R. Williams, Ph.D., Director of Human Resources Andy Wegner, District Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Zachary Ortiz, District & Community Programs Supervisor Jim Darin, MHS Principal Sarah Dianich, & Stephanie Krenz, MHS Associate Principals William Plant, MHS Dean of Students Andy Trudell, MHS Activities Director Dean Kovnesky, MHS Head Custodian MHS Custodial Staff Jenny Peterson, PVMS Band Director PJ Uhazie, MHS Choir Director Julie Hanisch, MHS Drama Director Dale Wimer and Alexa Zakutansky, MHS Orchestra Directors Lori Wildemann, PVMS Choir Director Sarah Oftedahl, PVMS Orchestra Director Amanda Caretta-Hull, Nyla Clements & Ben Warrichaiet, MES Band Directors Carolyn Atwell, Kathy Doty, Riley Roberson & Caryn Ruesch, MES Music Teachers Joseph Coldwell, PAC Technical Coordinator Carmen Scott, PAC House Manager & Technical Assistant PAC Usher Corps PAC Student Crew JoAnn Barkley, District Printing Mukwonago Fine Arts Boosters