Bells Across the Snow written by Music Director John Giordano
South Texas Miracle – Symphonic version of Clark Childers’s children’s book, More Snow for Kids
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (November 16, 2006) – The upcoming Holiday concerts performed by the Corpus Christi Symphony will feature two world premieres: Bells Across the Snow, written by Music Director John Giordano, and South Texas Miracle, orchestrated by Eugene Gwozdz, based on the children’s book, More Snow for Kids, authored by Clark Childers. Both works will be performed at “Holiday Expressions – A Touch of Frost,” December 9 at 8 pm at the PerformingArtsCenter on the campus of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. In addition, South Texas Miracle will be performed at “Peppermint Pops – A Holiday Family Matinee,” on December 9 at 2 pm at the Performing Arts Center. Both concerts will be guest conducted by Lee Gwozdz.
Bells Across the Snow was originally written by John Giordano as a Christmas present to Mr. and Mrs. Sid Bass in appreciation for their support of the arts in Fort Worth. The inspiration grew from Giordano’s annual family Christmas party. Every year as part of the evening's festivities, Maestro Giordano read A Cajun Night Before Christmas,complete with a French accent, followed by a standard reading of the original poem, for his grandchildren and the other children attending. Thinking it would be nice to read something else with a more poignant holiday message, the Maestro tried to find another poem and discovered Bells Across the Snow by Francis Havergal. He immediately thought it would lend itself beautifully to a musical setting. Says Giordano, “There are
dozens of newer songs that cater to the lighter side of the holiday season, but not many secular ones emphasizing the reflective aspects. No matter how sad we might become when contemplating our sorrows and difficulties, hearing Bells Across the Snow sends us the message of peace, hope, and happiness.”
South Texas Miracle is a symphonic version of the Clark Childers children’s book entitled, More Snow for Kids, The True Story of the South Texas Christmas Miracle. Narrated by the author, the work will also feature brother-sister singing duo Sally and Ruben Garcia. “I’m very excited about this work which was inspired by what all of us refer to as the South Texas miracle snow on Christmas Eve 2004,” says Lee Gwozdz, guest conductor of the upcoming CCSO holiday concerts. “There are not many narrated holiday classics on the symphonic market, and with the musical genius of my brother Eugene, this one will truly be another gem to be enjoyed by CCSO patrons and those of other Texas symphony orchestras. It will be an honor to premiere this work this holiday season,” Gwozdz continued.
The Holiday concerts will also feature guest soloists Will Hammons, Leslie Anne Frazier, Dee Donasco, and Dorothy Pena.
Funding for both the “Holiday Expressions” concert and the “Peppermint Pops” matinee was made possible by Frost Bank and Charles and Gayle Doraine, with additional funding by Valero. Tickets and information are available at 883-NOTE (883-6683), toll free at 877-286-NOTE (800-286-6683) or on the web at www.ccsymphony.org. The Season Sponsor is Wells Fargo and the Season Media Sponsor is Time Warner Cable.
Founded in 1945, the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 61st season as the premiere classical orchestra along the TexasGulfCoast. As a professional contract orchestra employing over 125 musicians and staff members, the CCSO provides world-class classical and pops music experiences to the region’s culturally diverse audience. Through the Corpus Christi Symphony Society’s support of the Corpus Christi Area Youth Orchestra and other dynamic education and outreach programs, the CCSO touches the lives of thousands of residents annually in the Coastal Bend area.
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Season Schedule
(all concerts at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)
1) October 14, 2006 at 8 pm 4) February 10, 2007 at 8 pm
Season Premiere with Sarah Chang From Benny to Berlioz
Sarah Chang, Violin David Shifrin, Clarinet
Special Non-subscription concert: 5) March 10, 2007 at 8 pm
Peppermint Pops – A Holiday Family Matinee Rach with Joyce Yang
December 9, 2006 at 2 pm Joyce Yang, Piano
Lee Gwozdz, Guest Conductor
6) April 21, 2007 at 8 pm
2) December 9, 2006 at 8 pm Verdi’s Requiem
Holiday Expressions – A Touch of Frost Fort Worth – Texas Christian
Lee Gwozdz, Guest Conductor University Chorale
3) January 13, 2007 at 8 pm
Favorite Romantic Melodies
Michael Bukhman, Piano
Rachel Harding, Violin
2006 – 2007 Sponsors as of November 17, 2006:
Season Sponsor Season Media Sponsor
Wells Fargo Time Warner Cable
Concert Sponsors Concert Co-Sponsors
State Representative Gene Seaman AEP Texas
Trinity Towers Citgo
Charles & Gayle Doraine
Major Artist Sponsor Frost Bank
Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. Foundation Coastal Bend Community Foundation
Artist Sponsor Corporate Sponsors
AT&T Griffin Partners
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Season Ticket Sponsor
Republic of Texas Bar and Grill Youth Orchestra Sponsors
Flint Hills Resources
Artist Hotel Sponsor Morgan Stanley
Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Del Mar College
Guest Conductor Sponsor Media Radio Partners
Valero Refinery KEDT South Texas Public Broadcasting
KLUX “Good Company”
Season Partners
The Corpus Christi Town Club Education Sponsors
Greg Spaulding Photography Melvyn N. Klein
Jason’s Deli Leon Loeb
The Piano Gallery Mr. and Mrs. Sam L. Susser
Railway Inn and Suites
Sanborn’s Travel Service
The Symphony Guild of Corpus Christi
Grant Support
City of Corpus Christi Arts and Cultural Commission
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Arts Advisory Council
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Foundation
Texas Commission on the Arts
