December 2024 Concert Program

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson Originally composed for an unaired documentary about Charles Schultz, this music was released in 1964 as “Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown.” In 1965, Coca-Cola commissioned a Christmas special based on Peanuts, and Vince Guaraldi scored the special. Winter Wonderland – Music by Felix Bernard (1897-1944), Words by Dick Smith (1901-1935) Winter Wonderland was written as a song in 1934. Over 200 different artists have covered it. The lyrics are about a couple’s romance during the winter season. Felix Bernard and Dick Smith were frequent collaborators. Selections from The Polar Express – Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard Set on Christmas Eve, The Polar Express tells the story of a young boy who sees a mysterious train bound for the North Pole stop outside his window and is invited aboard by its conductor. He joins other children as they embark on a journey to visit Santa Claus, who is preparing for Christmas. Around the World at Christmas Time This is an arrangement of holiday music from Germany, Poland, England, Italy, France, and the USA. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 This medley of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Shchedryck” (melody used for “Carol of the Bells”) was first released in 1995. The piece describes a lone cello player playing a forgotten carol in war torn Sarajevo.