A Traditional Gift to the Season
By Dominique Williams – East High School
The Sounds of the Seasons concert was a prefect gift from our military members to start the season. Lieutenant General Dana T. Atkins hosted the event. The Master of Ceremonies was Mr. John Tracy.
From the commencement of the concert, the filled hall was ready for Christmas cheer. The United States Air Force Band of the Pacific started with the bands premier vocalist MSgt John Teamer, SSgt Amber Grimes, SSgt E. Justin Allen, and SrA Kelly Perry singing, “Joyful, Joyful,” which set the merry tone of the night.
The rest of the night was filled with old classic jingles such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Let Snow,” “O Holy Night,” and “The Christmas Song,” to unknown songs such as “Greensleeves.”
The featured bands were Top Cover and The Greatlanders who both brought a unique sound. Top Cover was more of the rock oriented holiday tunes with a few modern jams; while The Greatlanders, a brass band, performed the classics. Top Cover’s songs featured guitar solos and The Greatlanders had different solos from each instrument creating a variety of sound.
At this event there was much crowd participation. There was an invitation for the kids to come on stage for the number “Sock it to Me Santa.” The kids enjoyed this because Santa and Mrs. Clause paid a visit and brought candy canes. Also through out the event people clapped and truly enjoyed themselves.
There were two special moments to last night’s program. “A Song for a Winter’s Night” was dedicated to the troops that are overseas for the time being. Mrs. Grimes and Mrs. Perry serenaded the crowd and touched hearts of many. Another heart wrenching moment was the Hometown Greetings. These videos from around the worlds show how truly dedicated these men and women are to their country.
Last night’s festivities made me feel proud of our service members and the warmth of holiday cheer.
Sounds of the Season
Air Force Band of the Pacific
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 7:00pm
Atwood Concert Hall
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Anchorage Symphony's Messiah
by Anthony Sallows - Alaska Pacific University
The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra together with the Alaska Chamber Singers, the Anchorage Concert Chorus, and guest vocalists from the Resident Ensemble of San Francisco Opera performed George Fredrick Handel’s Messiah on December 12, 2009 under the musical direction of guest maestro George Hanson. With a docket of musicians and artists like that, the night was stacked to be memorable and epic - and it was.
Handel’s Messiah is regarded as one of the most influential works to come out of the Baroque style of music. It is rumored that Beethoven found Handel to be “the greatest composer that ever lived.” When experiencing Messiah, one can see why Beethoven would be inclined to say so. The music and lyrics are easily felt by the layman as well as those versed in the art of music. Numerous times I caught myself tapping my feet or fingers to a rhythm that is beyond my awareness, proving that music transcends conscious thoughts and standard forms of communication.
Interestingly, when watching Brian Thorsett, a guest artist from the Resident Ensemble of San Francisco, close his eyes and move his head to the sound, I realized that music is something that you can experience on a deeper level by removing a sense - sight. We’ve become so accustomed to a visual world, that we often forget the wonders our other senses can provide. Messiah is a keen reminder of the beauty that can lie in the audible world.
History tells us that King George II was so moved by the final piece, Hallelujah, that he stood up for the entire section. It has become tradition to do so as an audience member ever since, and those in the Atwood Theater this night were no exception. After the piece, the audience continued to applaud the symphony and chorus for a much deserved standing ovation, which brought about an encore performance of Hallelujah. During the encore George Hanson turned to face the audience and directed us to sing along. As if the lyrics weren’t powerful enough. Hearing a chorus of nearly 2000 sing it was truly spirit lifting. I’m a shockingly terrible singer, and even I was moved enough to attempt to sing along. Hopefully those around me remember the night for Messiah and not my lack of vocal talent.
Messiah
Anchorage Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 8:00pm
Atwood Concert Hall
by Anthony Sallows - Alaska Pacific University
The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra together with the Alaska Chamber Singers, the Anchorage Concert Chorus, and guest vocalists from the Resident Ensemble of San Francisco Opera performed George Fredrick Handel’s Messiah on December 12, 2009 under the musical direction of guest maestro George Hanson. With a docket of musicians and artists like that, the night was stacked to be memorable and epic - and it was.
Handel’s Messiah is regarded as one of the most influential works to come out of the Baroque style of music. It is rumored that Beethoven found Handel to be “the greatest composer that ever lived.” When experiencing Messiah, one can see why Beethoven would be inclined to say so. The music and lyrics are easily felt by the layman as well as those versed in the art of music. Numerous times I caught myself tapping my feet or fingers to a rhythm that is beyond my awareness, proving that music transcends conscious thoughts and standard forms of communication.
Interestingly, when watching Brian Thorsett, a guest artist from the Resident Ensemble of San Francisco, close his eyes and move his head to the sound, I realized that music is something that you can experience on a deeper level by removing a sense - sight. We’ve become so accustomed to a visual world, that we often forget the wonders our other senses can provide. Messiah is a keen reminder of the beauty that can lie in the audible world.
History tells us that King George II was so moved by the final piece, Hallelujah, that he stood up for the entire section. It has become tradition to do so as an audience member ever since, and those in the Atwood Theater this night were no exception. After the piece, the audience continued to applaud the symphony and chorus for a much deserved standing ovation, which brought about an encore performance of Hallelujah. During the encore George Hanson turned to face the audience and directed us to sing along. As if the lyrics weren’t powerful enough. Hearing a chorus of nearly 2000 sing it was truly spirit lifting. I’m a shockingly terrible singer, and even I was moved enough to attempt to sing along. Hopefully those around me remember the night for Messiah and not my lack of vocal talent.
Messiah
Anchorage Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 8:00pm
Atwood Concert Hall
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Jason and the Argonauts
by Terra Laughton - West High School
Visible Fictions’ production of Jason and the Argonauts in the Discovery Theatre on Saturday, December 5 was an energetic and well-told story. Scottish actors Simon Donaldson and Tim Settle recounted the adverntures of Jason as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder. In order to replace his uncle on the throne, Jason is told to travel to the end of the earth and to return with the Golden Fleece. In the process, he meets everyone from Hercules to the Goddess Hera. Donaldson and Settle played almost twenty distinct characters during the production, easily entertaining the audience with various voices, movements, and mannerisms. Masters of their script, Donaldson and Settle kept up faced-paced dialogue and narration while brilliantly using their one set item, a large and versatile cart. Their creative use of action figures provided another layer of comedy, at times reflecting the characters’ movement and at times telling their own story. The perfomance was subtly and successfully complemented by simple lighting and music, but Donaldson and Settle would have succeeded without it. Visible Fictions fulfilled their goal of providing vibrant, high quality and accessiblte theatre for young and adult audiences alike. Alaska Junior Theater brought us a jem in Jason and the Argonauts.
Jason and the Argonauts
Alaska Junior Theater
Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 3:00pm
Discovery Theatre
by Terra Laughton - West High School
Visible Fictions’ production of Jason and the Argonauts in the Discovery Theatre on Saturday, December 5 was an energetic and well-told story. Scottish actors Simon Donaldson and Tim Settle recounted the adverntures of Jason as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder. In order to replace his uncle on the throne, Jason is told to travel to the end of the earth and to return with the Golden Fleece. In the process, he meets everyone from Hercules to the Goddess Hera. Donaldson and Settle played almost twenty distinct characters during the production, easily entertaining the audience with various voices, movements, and mannerisms. Masters of their script, Donaldson and Settle kept up faced-paced dialogue and narration while brilliantly using their one set item, a large and versatile cart. Their creative use of action figures provided another layer of comedy, at times reflecting the characters’ movement and at times telling their own story. The perfomance was subtly and successfully complemented by simple lighting and music, but Donaldson and Settle would have succeeded without it. Visible Fictions fulfilled their goal of providing vibrant, high quality and accessiblte theatre for young and adult audiences alike. Alaska Junior Theater brought us a jem in Jason and the Argonauts.
Jason and the Argonauts
Alaska Junior Theater
Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 3:00pm
Discovery Theatre
Eileen Ivers
by Kyla Cook - Chugiak High School
Who knew a violin could have this much soul? On December 4, at 7:30, Eileen Ivers proved to Anchorage that a Celtic violin concert didn’t have to be boring, and, in fact, could be an energetic, highly varied musical romp through Irish Christmas history.
“An Nolliag: An Irish Christmas” featured everything from Christmas classics, to Irish originals, to, in Ivers’ words, “jiggified favorites.” In between songs Ivers gave us humorous history lessons on everything from holly to fruitcake to Bach. In fact, her amazing playing came second only to her energy. She wasn’t afraid to stomp her feet, clap her hands and dance around the stage. The audience reacted very well. They were clapping, bopping up and down, singing along, and even stood up for the entirety of the encore. At many points Ivers had to shout to be heard over deafening applause. Even tuning her instrument received an audible reaction from the crowd.
Eileen Ivers’violin wasn’t the only attraction onstage. She was joined by Tommy McDonnell (vocalist, percussion) Buddy Connolly (accordion, whistle, and keyboard), Greg Anderson (guitar, backing vocals), and Leo Traversa (bass guitar), all four talented musicians and entertainers, with their own prestigious accomplishments. The band even incorporated young local talent into the mix. Friday’s show included performers from Alaska Children’s Choir and The Irish Dance Academy. Their part went off without a hitch, and added something special to the professional music.
Eileen Ivers’ performance was definitely a treat for Anchorage. The audience left feeling invigorated. You could hear comments like “wasn’t that fun?” and “I got my exercise for the day.” Eileen Ivers will have one more performance, Saturday at 7:30, before her next stop, at Carnegie Hall.
Eileen Ivers
Anchorage Concert Association
Friday, December 4, 2009 at 7:30pm
Atwood Concert Hall
by Kyla Cook - Chugiak High School
Who knew a violin could have this much soul? On December 4, at 7:30, Eileen Ivers proved to Anchorage that a Celtic violin concert didn’t have to be boring, and, in fact, could be an energetic, highly varied musical romp through Irish Christmas history.
“An Nolliag: An Irish Christmas” featured everything from Christmas classics, to Irish originals, to, in Ivers’ words, “jiggified favorites.” In between songs Ivers gave us humorous history lessons on everything from holly to fruitcake to Bach. In fact, her amazing playing came second only to her energy. She wasn’t afraid to stomp her feet, clap her hands and dance around the stage. The audience reacted very well. They were clapping, bopping up and down, singing along, and even stood up for the entirety of the encore. At many points Ivers had to shout to be heard over deafening applause. Even tuning her instrument received an audible reaction from the crowd.
Eileen Ivers’violin wasn’t the only attraction onstage. She was joined by Tommy McDonnell (vocalist, percussion) Buddy Connolly (accordion, whistle, and keyboard), Greg Anderson (guitar, backing vocals), and Leo Traversa (bass guitar), all four talented musicians and entertainers, with their own prestigious accomplishments. The band even incorporated young local talent into the mix. Friday’s show included performers from Alaska Children’s Choir and The Irish Dance Academy. Their part went off without a hitch, and added something special to the professional music.
Eileen Ivers’ performance was definitely a treat for Anchorage. The audience left feeling invigorated. You could hear comments like “wasn’t that fun?” and “I got my exercise for the day.” Eileen Ivers will have one more performance, Saturday at 7:30, before her next stop, at Carnegie Hall.
Eileen Ivers
Anchorage Concert Association
Friday, December 4, 2009 at 7:30pm
Atwood Concert Hall
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