Holidays in Space: Music to Celebrate the Season and the Spheres

When the weather outside is frightful, why not explore the greater galaxy? The musical journey begins on Earth, with Richard Saucedo’s rousing Fanfare for the Third Planet. The bold rhythms and ethereal harmonies of To Dance Among the Stars by Brian Balmages will lift listeners into the upper atmosphere, arriving just in time for a rare alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. It’s called a Syzygy (Sizz uh gee, accent on the sizz), also the title of a moody and alluring piece by Michael Kamuf.  Especially for armchair astronauts, Tyler Grant’s Mission Apollowill evoke all the anticipation and excitement of the first moon landing.

Between forays into space, we’ll touch down for some fresh seasonal fare. The yearning and lyrical ’Twas the Moon in Wintertime, arranged by Robert W. Smith, is based on a traditional Huron carol. A Rollicking Hanukkah offers up a top-speed, lighthearted medley, arranged by Randall Standridge, and features a trumpet section full of whinnying horses. The program will close Holiday Jambalaya, a musical feast of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza by arranger James Hosay, and written in a classic New Orleans style—complete with a Dixieland sextet.

The Cape Cod Concert Band, an all-volunteer 45-piece wind and percussion ensemble, is conducted by Tom Borning. Also the director of the Falmouth Town Band, Mr. Borning plays trumpet across New England, and is the host and creator of The Everything Music Ed Podcast. The CCCB is funded by audience donations, business supporters, and grants from the Mass Cultural Council, the Elizabeth B. McGraw Foundation, and the Cape Cod Melody Tent. To learn more, visit www.capecodconcertband.org.