Cathedral Events

Wednesday, July 4, 2012 11 AM

Annual Independence Day Organ Recital

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This popular concert is fun for the whole family and features a variety of marches and patriotic music played by Cathedral Organist Scott Dettra and Artist-in-Residence Jeremy Filsell. This year’s program will also feature the Washington Symphonic Brass. Michael Barone, host of public radio’s Pipedreams will be the master of ceremonies.

The concert will open with Aaron Copland’s striking Fanfare for the Common Man and the singing of the National Anthem. The highlight of the concert will be a performance of George Gershwin ’s Rhapsody in Blue with Jeremy Filsell on the piano. The program also features music by Barber and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.

Tickets are not required, but audience members are encouraged to arrive early to secure good seats. A free-will offering will be received, with a suggested donation of $10 for adults.

Program

Patriotic Brass Prelude

Fanfare for the Common Man
Aaron Copland (1900–1990)

The National Anthem

The Liberty Bell
John Philip Sousa (1854–1932)

Fantasy on ‘America’
Norman Coke-Jephcott (1893–1962)

Adagio for Strings
Samuel Barber (1910–1981)

Rhapsody in Blue
George Gershwin (1898–1937)

God Bless the USA
arr. Steve Bulla

America the Beautiful
arr. Jari Villanueva

Prelude ‘Were you there’?
Leo Sowerby (1895–1968)

Concert Variations on “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Op. 23
Dudley Buck (1839–1909)

The Stars and Stripes Forever
J. P. Sousa

About Michael Barone

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Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Michael Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 50 years. As host and senior executive producer of Pipedreams, he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music. Pipedreams began in 1982, and remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. Michael’s talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President’s Award in 1996, the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997, and the 2001 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award in Broadcasting. In November 2002 he was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

Not to be confused with the District’s other notable Michael Barone (senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner), this Michael Barone has served on local and national committees of the American Guild of Organists and Organ Historical Society (of which he also served two years as president). He has been a judge for national and international organ competitions (Flint, Michigan; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Twin Cities, Minnesota; Calgary, Alberta, Canada), has contributed published articles and reviews to Diapason, Symphony (American Symphony Orchestra League), and the American Organist magazines, and since the year 2000 has organized and led annual group ‘organ tours’ to destinations in Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

Recent Cathedral Appearances

About Scott Dettra

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Scott Dettra served as Organist and Associate Director of Music at Washington National Cathedral from 2007 to 2012. He was the principal organist and assists with the direction of the Cathedral choirs. One of the finest concert organists of his generation, his performances are known for their clarity, rhythmic intensity, and musical elegance. In addition to his work at Washington National Cathedral, Dettra also was Keyboard Artist of the Washington Bach Consort and organist of the Crossing, Philadelphia’s new music choir.

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Recent Cathedral Appearances

About Jeremy Filsell

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Jeremy Filsell is acknowledged as one of only a few virtuoso performers on both piano and organ. He has appeared as a solo pianist in Russia, Scandinavia, the USA, throughout the UK. His concerto repertoire encompasses Mozart and Beethoven through to Shostakovich, John Ireland, and Rachmaninov (2nd and 3rd concertos). He has recorded the solo piano music of Herbert Howells, Bernard Stevens, Eugene Goossens, and Johann Eschmann for Guild. Currently due for release are discs of Rachmaninov’s piano music for Signum and two of French Mélodies accompanying Michael Bundy (baritone) for Naxos.

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Recent Cathedral Appearances

About Washington Symphonic Brass

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The Washington Symphonic Brass is comprised of some of the finest professional musicians in the Washington/Baltimore area. While the members are in constant demand for orchestral, solo, and chamber music performances, they have assembled to play some of the great literature written for large brass ensemble. Conductor Milt Stevens and Trumpeter Phil Snedecor formed this group of players out of their love of and excitement about this fine literature. Individually, the members of the WSB have performed with many of the nation’s best orchestras, such as the National Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, among other illustrious institutions. The WSB performs throughout the Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area, appearing at some of the great performance spaces on the east coast. Specializing in compositions written for large brass ensemble and percussion (four trumpets, four horns, four trombones, euphonium, tuba, timpani, and percussion instruments) with organs, choruses, and other instruments optional, the varied repertoire of the Washington Symphonic Brass covers five centuries.

Recent Cathedral Appearances

Parking at the Cathedral

Parking in the Cathedral’s underground garage is free on Sundays for services and organ recitals; parking for concerts and programs is available for an event-parking fee. Learn more about parking options for individuals and groups.