We honor our vets year long, but there is one way New Hartford does it best: the band, orchestra, and choir’s Veteran’s Day concert. Every year it is held just before Veteran’s Day and is a pleasant way to honor our community’s veterans and to allow the music ensembles to ease back into things.
The concert is in many ways a lively celebration of veterans rather than a somber remembrance of their sacrifices, with the band and choir coming together to perform “Armed Forces Pride of America” a song in which each branch of the military is honored.
Ms. Kasky, the high school band director, expressed her thoughts on performing the song.
“For many students, playing “Armed Forces” every year is a highlight of their high school band experience. I think that the tradition of honoring our veterans at this concert is important and should be continued.”
Band
Ms. Kasky carries this energy into the selection of songs she’s chosen for the band to perform, with their first piece “La Fiesta Brava” by Trestin Durant. Describing it as “an upbeat, energetic march to bring some lively energy to our concert,” Ms. Kasky said.
Their setlist continues on with some softer and milder songs, including “The Promise of Living” composed by Aaron Copland and arranged by James Curnow. Representing the celebration of the harvest by multiple groups of people who have all come together.
“A delicate yet emotional ballad,” Ms. Kasky describes it.
Their final song, “American Riversongs” by Pierre La Plant talks to the heart of America, including multiple traditional American folk songs within it like Down the River, Shenandoah, and The Glendy Burk.
Ms. Kasky contributed a quote about its description, “a tribute to an earlier time, when our rivers and other waterways were the lifelines of our growing nation.”
Orchestra
The second ensemble to perform will be the orchestra, under the direction of Mrs. Wilcox, who also took to the idea of traditional American songs with “Old Joe Clark” being the first song in their lineup.
“A classic American-style fiddle tune.” Mrs. Wilcox said.
They then follow it with “Shaker Fantasia” a song based on the “simple gifts” theme or Shaker hymn. To finish out their setlist, the orchestra will perform “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,”
Mrs. Wilcox would describe it as “an African American spiritual sung during the time of the Underground Railroad.”
Choir
To finish out the concert we have our choir, under the direction of Mrs. Lotyczewski. To start they will be performing “Soldier” by Roger Emerson. A song based on the American folk song “Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier.”
“I picked it because it is a relatively simple song to begin the year with when we have a new group that isn’t used to working together yet.” Mrs. Lotyczewski said.
They will follow it with two songs that will split up the choir. “The Times They Are-A Changing” being all the sopranos and altos, and “Muddy Water” including all the tenors and basses.
Mrs. Lotyczewski states that she picked “The Times They Are-A Changing” because “the idea that older generations do not understand the younger generations will always ring true.”
Along with that, she picked “Muddy Water” for “the sense of mystery and adventure is a great feature for the tenors and basses.”
Finally, the choir will perform “Alea Iacta Est,” a song based on the texts of Julius Caesar, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus, and Marcus Aurelius. The name itself means “the die is cast.”
“This song is about fate and our control over it, or lack thereof,” Mrs. Lotyczewski said. “I picked this particular program to help the members of the choir learn and grow as much as possible, and come together cohesively as a group.”
The Veterans Day concert is a special event each year not only to honor our veterans but to kick off the music events for the year.
The directors of each ensemble all have their own personal connection to Veterans Day, with family members of all kinds serving in multiple different branches. This can make the concert feel like we’re a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Ms. Kasky recognizes it as a “long standing tradition at New Hartford that has been going on since well before I was a student.”
“The Veterans’ Day concert has become a community favorite over the years.” Mrs. Wilcox said. “Many parents and families look forward to listening to the students perform, and the opportunity for their loved ones to be recognized for their military service.”
The concert is an emotional affair for students, teachers, and families alike. It is one of the longest standing traditions within the New Hartford music department and it will hopefully stick around for a very long time.
