Praise to Thee Jesus Christ-Gelobet seist du Jesu Christ (We Praise You Jesus Christ) is an old Christmas hymn dating from the 16th century which can still be found in many hymnbooks today. John Blanken has created a varied and imaginative arrangement on four verses of the hymn. After the introduction derived from the opening notes the hymn is first accompanied by an agile harmonisation. Next we hear the chorale in a four-part setting with a percussion accompaniment. Then follows a short prologue to the third verse and finally its time for fireworks as the arrangement takes a stylistic leap in time with the festive prelude to the fourth and last verse.

Contrasting colors and stylistic shifts trace the historic events surrounding ?the shot heard ?round the world? in this challenging and significant new concert band work by Stephen Bulla. A rhapsodic adventure NORTH BRIDGE PORTRAIT takes us from the merry atmosphere of the pre-revolutionary town through foreboding militant sounds. The fife-and-drum melody ?Washington?s March? leads inexorably to the historic beginning of the American colonies? struggle for freedom.Vivid images combine to make this descriptive audience-pleasing composition a memorable experience for all that attend your performance. Historic and unique!