Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral

When he completed his opera Lohengrin in 1846, Richard Wagner felt very little of the score could be transplanted to an instrumental ensemble. He made an exception, however, for the stately processional featured in Act II, Scene 4, and recommended the section as “an effective piece for military band.” The resulting excerpt was titled Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral, and became an enduring part of the repertoire for symphonic wind ensembles and brass bands (the descendants of those “military bands” to which Wagner referred). Lohengrin tells the story of a...

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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Reviving one of the most famous melodies in cinema history, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a tour de force from legendary film composer John Williams. The middle film in the classic trilogy, Temple of Doom was released in 1984 to mixed critical reviews. The dark tone of the story surprised audiences, but also afforded Williams the opportunity to flex his creative muscles. The brass band arrangement by Ray Farr opens with a manic overture, hinting at the diverse melodies to come. Listeners are then swept into the first major set-piece of the film, a frantic chase through the streets...

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Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

A perennial favorite at Chester Brass’ summer concerts, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy is perhaps the best-remembered popular melody from World War II. The song was actually recorded by the Andrews Sisters nearly a year before the United States entered the war, during a period of rapid American military build-up. Written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince, Bugle Boy tells the story of a Chicago musician drafted into the U.S. Army. With nothing to play but standard military bugle calls, he grows depressed. Then his commanding officer finds more musicians and assembles a band. Finally the bugler can...

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O Magnum Mysterium

This piece was originally a Gregorian chant featuring a call-and-response between a solo voice and a full choir. It was traditionally sung during the morning prayer service (called Matins) at Christmas. The text of O Magnum Mysterium refers to the birth of Jesus, and proclaims, “O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lord, lying in a manger!” Many composers have adapted the chant for different musical ensembles. The American composer Morten Lauridsen, who was composer-in-residence for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, reimagined O Magnum...

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