RCO’s mission is to encourage lifelong musicianship and appreciation of orchestral music in Richmond, Indiana, and the surrounding area through regular practice and performance.
RCO will be resuming rehearsals for string players only on Monday September 13. Rehearsals will take place in the Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1004 North A St Richmond, IN 47374
All players must show proof of vaccination. Masks must be worn at all times. Seats will be placed 6ft apart and members are asked to socially distance themselves at all times.
In a month, organizers will determine if winds and brass can join if local COVID cases decline. Those interested in joining the orchestra who are not currently on our email contact list email membership@rcoindiana.org to join.
SUMMER CONCERT Sunday, July 25th 3:30pm Glen Miller Park Bandshell at Roosevelt Hill
Program Notes:
Magnificent Seven by Elmer Bernstein The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 American Western film directed by John Sturges and starring Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach and Steve McQueen. The supporting cast features Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, James Coburn and Horst Buchholz. The film is an Old West–style remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai. There are 4 films in the original series (that use Bernstein’s music) and a modern remake that does NOT use the original music.
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Return of the Seven (1966)
Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969)
The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972)
The Magnificent Seven (2016)
English Folk Song Suite by Ralph Vaughn Williams 1872 – 1958
Originally for Military Band 1923 “Folk Song Suite”, orchestrated for full orchestra by his student in 1923 as “English Folk Song Suite”. Arranged for British-style brass band in 1956 by Frank Wright and published as English Folk Songs Suite.
The second movement is a ballad “My Bonny Boy” with lyrics about a broken-hearted girl who gave her heart to a lad who ran off and found another lass.
My Bonny Boy
I once loved a boy and a bonny bonny boy, I loved him I vow and protest, I loved him so well, there’s no tongue can tell, Till I built him a berth on my breast.
‘Twas up the wild forest and through the green groves Like one that was troubled in mind, I hallooed, I whooped and I blew on my flute But no bonny boy could I find.
I looked up high and I looked down low The weather being wonderful warm; And who should I spy but my own bonny boy Locked fast in another girl’s arms.
He took me upon his assembled knees And looked me quite hard in the face, He gave unto me one sweet smile and a kiss But his heart’s in another girl’s breast.
Now my bonny, bonny boy is across the salt seas And I hope he will safely return; But if he loves another girl better than me Let him take her, and why should I mourn?
Now the girl that enjoys my own bonny boy, She is not to be blamed, I am sure, For many’s the long night he have robbed me of my rest But he never shall do it no more.
3. GERSHWIN! George Gershwin 1898-1937 Arranged by Jay Conard.
Most of Gershwin’s hits had lyrics written by his brother Ira. Gershwin went to Europe to try to find a teacher among the ‘serious’ composers of the day. Maurice Ravel’s rejection letter to Gershwin told him, “Why become a second-rate Ravel when you’re already a first-rate Gershwin?” Gershwin died after an operation to remove a brain tumor in July of 1937.
This medley contains the following songs (notice only one included does NOT have lyrics by his brother Ira):
Intro uses “I Got Rhythm” and “Fascinating Rhythm”.
‘SWonderful (1927 w/ Ira)
Someone to Watch Over Me (1926 w/Ira and verse)
Swanee (1919 lyrics by Irving Caesar – made famous by Al Jolson)
Our Love Is Here to Stay (1937 w/Ira) Last composition George Gershwin completed. Lyrics completed after George’s death. Verse reconstructed by Oscar Levant.
Embraceable You (1928 w/Ira)
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off (1937 w/Ira) Verse included here. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performed this duet on ROLLER SKATES!!!
I’ve Got Rhythm (1928 w/Ira) Famously belted out by Ethel Merman.
We know of Gershwin’s prowess on the piano by recordings and piano rolls he made.
4. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 – 2nd Movement – Allegretto
Beethoven was born in December of 1770 (last year marked the 250th anniversary of his birth. Symphony #7 was written in 1811-1812 and premiered in 1813. He felt it was his finest symphony to date and is the most organic with four separate movements in a very standard form – no big new technics but rather a very cohesive fully realized piece. The 2nd movement was so well received that it was encored at the first performance and many times just the 2nd movement was programmed by itself without the rest of the symphony.
5. LORD OF THE DANCE by Ronan Hardiman (1961- ) Irish composer for the Lord of the Dance – Cry of the Celts
Includes music from Hymn tune “Simple Gifts” included in many church hymnals as “Lord of the Dance” and also music by Ronan Hardiman (“Cry of the Celtics“) used in the dance sensation of the same name. A Tour de Force of violin techniques – including some ‘fiddling.’
6. American Frontier arr. by Calvin Custer (1939-1998)
This medley of American tunes includes: “The Girl I Left Behind“, an old Irish tune used by the British and U.S. military. It is still played at West Point during final formations at graduation; “Chester“, a New England hymn-tune by William Billings written around the time of the Revolutionary War; “Oh Susanna” by Stephen Foster; “Shenandoah“, a tune used on sailing ships, and ends with a stirring version of “America, the Beautiful.”
RCO Full Ensemble rehearsals plan to resume on June 7, 2021, 6:30-8:00pm. June Rehearsals will take place in the Richmond Senior Center, 1600 S Second St, Richmond. Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm June 7, 14, 21, 28
Please note this is a change in the originally scheduled plans to start full ensemble rehearsals outdoors at the Bandshell at Roosevelt Hill in Glen Miller Park. In July we may move rehearsals to the bandshell. Watch here and Facebook for more Details. July 5, 12, 19
Concert: Bandshell at Roosevelt Hill in Glen Miller Park Sunday, July 25 – 1:00-3:00pm
Members will be asked to be masked when arriving and leaving rehearsal. Chairs will be placed at least 6 feet apart and members will be asked to socially distance themselves.
Watch here and on Facebook for additional information.
