Sounds of the Fourth

Several concerts to enjoy for Independence Day this year around San Antonio:

Patriotic Pops at Coker United Methodist Church on tonight, July 2 at 7 p.m.
The event includes: Stirring Patriotic Music by the Chancel Choir and Coker Orchestra 
An Ice Cream and Apple Crisp Dessert Celebration after the concert
An Apple Pie Baking Contest featuring guest celebrity judges
A vintage automobile show before the concert
More at http://www.coker.org/patriotic_pops

USAF Band of the West - Tuesday at 7pm Concert Band at Byron Steele High
Byron Steele High School 1300 FM 1103 Cibolo, TX 78108


4 July 2012: Concert Band 4th of July Performance City of San Antonio July 4th Celebration Woodlawn Lake San Antonio, TX Performance time- 7:45 PM
Top Flight 4th of July Concert Lady Bird Johnson Park, Pioneer Pavilion 432 Lady Bird Dr. Fredericksburg, TX Performance time- 7:30 PM


5 July 2012: Concert Band at San Marcos Plaza San Marcos Plaza Stage San Marcos, TX Performance time - 7:30 PM
More at http://www.bandofthewest.af.mil/

Heart of Texas Concert Band - Wednesday at 11am at the Alamo
- Wednesday night at 6pm in San Marcos
More at http://www.heartoftexasconcertband.com/

Top Ten American Composers

American Flag, in the public domain

As July Fourth approaches, we thought another Top Ten list would be nice for America's birthday, and so here are great living American composers you should listen to this summer!





10. Walter Mays (hear the Pro Arte Quartet play his String Quartet in g minor)
9. Andrew Waggoner (listen to a recent interview)
8. Mason Bates (Mimi Stillman plays Elements)
7. John Adams (St. Louis Symphony plays Dr. Atomic Symphony)
6. Steve Reich (great video interview about influences)
5. Kevin Puts (Einstein on Mercer Street with the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble)
4. Christopher Rouse (Elinor Frey plays Ricordanza)
3. Steven Stucky (new release of August 4, 1964)
2. Jennifer Higdon (has a new cd from Ft. Worth Symphony)

and the number one living American composer you should give a listen:

Augusta Read Thomas,
photo by Jason Smith used with permission

1. Augusta Read Thomas (The Lincoln Trio plays her Moon Jig)

GTOC: By George

After spending 12 days abroad I imagine the Fourth of July might have felt differently to some of the YOSA Great Tour of China travellers.
For the Fourth, here is an excerpt of George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess Symphonic Suite:

Catch an hour of YOSA's travels with host John Clare this Sunday at two pm on KPAC & KTXI.