Digital Program: Holiday Fantasy

December 11, 2021

Ernesto Estigarribia, Conductor & Artistic Director Candidate

Pre-concert Discussion 2:00pm & Concert 3:00pm
Ritsche Auditorium, St. Cloud State University

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Program

• Christmas Overture (1911) by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912), Orchestration by Sydney Baynes (1925)
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• The Snowman (1982) by Howard Blake (b. 1938)
  Owen Janni, vocal soloist
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• Fantasia on Greensleeves (1934) by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
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• Sleigh Ride (1948) by Leroy Anderson (1908-1975)
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• A Christmas Festival (1950) by Leroy Anderson (1908-1975)

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We need YOUR input!

This year, we’re highlighting 4 candidates to be our next Principal Conductor & Artistic Director, and we need YOUR help! Click the button below to share your thoughts on your concert experience and the candidates. OR, download the PDF to fill it out at home and scan/send in via email or mail it in. Your input is important to us!

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Program Notes

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – Christmas Overture

Born to an English mother and a father from Sierra Leone, Coleridge-Taylor achieved much success as a composer defying societal odds of the 20th century. Unfortunately, his life ended prematurely at age 37. His career was very prolific and successful and included three tours to the United States. Perhaps one of his most famous works, Christmas Overture, is based on the traditional Christmas carols Good King Wenceslas, Hark the Herald Angels, and God rest you, merry gentlemen. The themes are masterfully treated, with inventive counterpoint and joyful energy.

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The Snowman – Howard Blake

About the Composer: Howard Blake

British composer, conductor, and pianist Howard Blake has gained acclaim during his extensive and prolific career. His best-known work is the 1982 soundtrack to the television special ‘The Snowman.’ 

About “The Snowman”

‘The Snowman’ is an animated film is based on a children’s picture book by the same name created by Raymond Briggs. Howard Blake’s colorful orchestration exquisitely blends with the film to create a unique and rich experience. The song ‘Walking in the Air’ is deeply touching, evocative, yet reflecting. 

The story takes place during the winter around the holidays. A boy builds a snowman that later comes to life. The snowman and the boy embark on a journey of many adventures. They explore the boy’s village, the forests, the animals, and even join a party of snowmen where they meet Father Christmas. After their return home, the boy realizes that the snowman has melted. Soon after, he encounters a gift he received at the party. After all, it was not just a dream!

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Ralph Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on Greensleeves

The music of Ralph Vaughan Williams is deeply rooted in the folk music of his native England. Not only was he a prominent composer and organist, but he also extensively researched English music from the 15th and 16th centuries. Fantasia on Greensleeves contains two songs from that era: the Holiday tune ‘Greensleeves,’ also known as ‘What Child is this?’ and another tune called ‘Lovely Joan.’ Before becoming a stand-alone piece, this miniature orchestral work was part of Vaughan Williams’s opera Sir John in Love. Scored for two flutes, harp, and strings, Fantasia on Greensleeves evokes a bucolic scene with beautifully lyrical passages.

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Leroy Anderson – Sleigh Ride + A Christmas Festival

If Johann Strauss is the master of the Viennese Waltz, Leroy Anderson is the master of light orchestral music. His enormous contribution to this genre earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His major hits include ‘The Typewriter,’ ‘Bugler’s Holiday,’ and ‘Sleigh Ride.’ This piece has become a staple in the holiday repertoire to the point that it’s hard to imagine a holiday concert without it. Ironically, Anderson wrote Sleigh Ride during a heatwave in summer 1946. 

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Biographies

Ernesto Estigarribia, Conductor + Artistic Director Candidate

Hailed for his “expert direction” by the Fanfare magazine, Paraguayan conductor Ernesto Estigarribia is highly regarded for his versatility and passionate energy on and off the podium. He is Assistant Conductor of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles. Previous posts include Music Director of the Buffalo Community Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras. With a passion for working with young musicians, he is a member of the conducting staff of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and frequently appears as conductor and clinician for high school orchestra festivals.

Ernesto has guest conducted the Mankato Symphony, Rochester (MN) Symphony, Oskaloosa Music Festival Orchestra, Orquesta de Cámara del Centro del Conocimiento (Argentina), and Orquesta Sinfónica del Congreso Nacional (Paraguay) and has also served as cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra. In 2016, Ernesto conducted the recording of music by Brazilian composer João Ripper with violist Korey Konkol and the University of Minnesota Camerata. In addition to symphonic performances, Ernesto has led numerous opera productions including Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Mozart’s Idomeneo, Britten’s Albert Herring, and Zimmermann’sWeisse Rose. His festival appearances include Orchestra of the Americas, Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme (England), Festival de Música de Santa Catarina (Brazil), Pienza Music Festival (Italy), International Festival Week of St. Petersburg Conservatory (Russia), and Academia Internacional Teatro del Lago (Chile). 

An accomplished violist, he has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician. Ernesto holds degrees from Pittsburg State University and the University of Minnesota where he studied conducting with Mark Russell Smith. In his free time, he enjoys cooking vegan recipes with his wife Sabrina.  

Owen Janni, Vocal Soloist

Mr. Janni attends South Junior High School and is in the 6^th Grade. He enjoys studying Social Studies, Science and Language Arts and plays in the orchestra. Outside of school he enjoys playing tennis, doing CrossFit and reading. As a member of The St. John’s Boys’ Choir (SJBC), Mr. Janni has learned about teamwork, responsibility and dedication. You can see Mr. Janni perform with his fellow choristers on December 18, 2021 at his favorite concert of the year – A Ceremony of Carols. Mr. Janni is very excited to be representing The St. John’s Boys’ Choir this afternoon. To learn more about the SJBC visit www.sjbchoir.org. 

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Orchestra Roster: Symphonic Fanfares

November 6, 2021

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Donor List

We recognize people and organizations dedicated to supporting a vibrant arts culture in Central Minnesota with great appreciation.  We salute our donors for their selfless investment in our programs, especially during these challenging pandemic times. We gratefully acknowledge contributions from the following donors between February 24, 2020, and February 21, 2022.