Allegro Dec 2019

The Little-Known History of the Well-Known Classic: Sleigh Ride One of the most iconic Christmas songs in America was not originally intended to be a Christmas song. In fact, the tune got its start during a summer heat wave. Composer Leroy Anderson and his family were living in Woodbury, Connecticut during the summer of 1946. One day during the heatwave, Anderson was outside working. As a way to cool himself off, he started thinking about the winter season. Anderson came up with a few different melodies that represented wintertime fun, one of which was the now well-known tune Sleigh Ride. The song, as its name implies, celebrates the excitement of winter by musically depicting a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. Anderson included sound effects like sleigh bells, whip cracks, and the clip-clop of horses’ feet to create a fun, energetic atmosphere and bring the song to life. Originally, Sleigh Ride was an instrumental piece and lyrics were not added until two years after its premiere. Interestingly enough, the lyrics make no mention of Christmas at all, even though the song has traditionally become associated with the holiday season. Anderson started composing the enchanting piece in August of 1946 and completed it in February of 1948 after he and his family had moved to Brooklyn, NY a few months prior. The song made its debut at a Boston Pops concert in May of 1948 and a recording was released the following year. Sleigh Ride became an instant hit and was played in department stores all across New York City. It has since become one of the most popular songs of the Christmas season.

Broadway by Request

will join the LSO to enchant Lynchburg audiences with songs from many of these shows in addition to orchestral medleys. Glover believes that performing music from Broadway will expand the reach of the LSO. “This will give listeners a chance to hear Broadway music differently, with a full 60-piece orchestra,” he said, “In fact, some of these shows weren’t written for an orchestra as big as we are. This is a rare opportunity that you can’t get anywhere else.” “This show is going to be a ton of fun with amazing vocalists and an incredibly diverse selection of Broadway shows,” says Glover. “It won’t be something people will want to miss.”

The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra is bringing Broadway to Lynchburg to sing in the New Year. On January 25, the LSO will be performing Broadway by Request. Music Director & Conductor, David Glover, believes this concert will be unlike any the orchestra has performed before. “The concert will consist of the best of the best from Broadway,” he said. The show will include arias, duets, and medleys from recent Broadway hits like, Rent, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, and Wicked. Veterans of the Broadway production of Phantom, Sean MacLaughlin and Teri Hanson,

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