Published: October 22, 2009 09:25 pm         

Sinfonietta Pops Orchestra to showcase American composers

TERRE HAUTE — Musical genius does not know geography and even those compositions we consider classics were once “new” music. In the 20th century, American composers wrote music that entertained the entire world.

On Sunday, the Terre Haute Sinfonietta Pops Orchestra will showcase a few of those composers in their concert “Made in America: 20th Century American Composers.” The concert will be performed at 3 p.m. in the Hippodrome Theatre in the Scottish Rite Building at Eighth and Ohio streets. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students and children.

The narrator for this concert is Col. Christopher H. Colbert, vice commander of the 181st Intelligence Wing, Indiana Air National Guard. A native of Terre Haute, Colbert grew up in the Midwest and received his wings in May 1987 at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona.

“A Short Overture to an Unwritten Opera” by composer Don Gillis opens the program, which also includes Alec Wilder’s “While We’re Young.” Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “My Funny Valentine” for the 1937 Broadway show “Babes in Arms.”

And the orchestra will perform an arrangement written by David Rose that was performed at ISU in 1968 when Mr. Rose was a guest “composer in residence” for a week.

Although Frank Sinatra isn’t credited as a composer, he is certainly known for introducing a large body of 20th century music. “A Salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes” features songs popularized by Sinatra and written by composers such as Cole Porter, Bert Kaempfert and Eddie Snyder. Moving on to a different style is a medley of songs released by Motown Records and aptly named “Motown Forever.”

One of the most prolific composers of the late 20th century and continuing to this day is John Williams. His “Harry Potter Symphonic Suite” was selected for inclusion in this concert.

Aaron Copland was the quintessential 20th century American composer and is often considered the “Dean of American Music” for his use of American themes and folk styles. The Sinfonietta has chosen to perform “Quiet City” written for oboe, trumpet and strings.

Hoagland “Hoagie” Carmichael, a composer, pianist, lyricist, singer, actor and author, was born 100 years ago on Nov. 22, 1899, in Bloomington, Ind. This concert’s arrangement includes ”Georgia on My Mind,” “Skylark,” “Lazy River,” “Heart and Soul” and “Stardust.”