Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: May 23 and 27, 2026

This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion features somber and contemplative music in recognition of Memorial Day, a holiday that honors those who have sacrificed their lives on behalf of their fellow citizens. Memorial Day weekend will feature three wind-band concerts:

1. Sunday, May 24, at 3 p.m., the Twickenham Winds will perform at the Randolph School Thurber Arts Center, 4909 Garth Road, Huntsville.
2. Monday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m., the Huntsville Concert Band will perform at the Veterans Memorial Park, 200 Monroe Street, NW, in downtown Huntsville.
3. Monday, May 25 at 11 a.m., the Madison Community Band will perform at the Veterans Memorial, Church and Front Streets in Madison.

Today’s edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion opens with “Taps.”

1. 1. Taps with Orchestration
      Composer:  Daniel Butterfield (1831-1901), arranged by Thomas Knox (1937-2004)
      Performer:  U.S. Marine Band
      Album:  Blessings of Liberty
   2. Star Spangled Banner
      Composer:  Unknown arranger.
      Performer:  Americus Brass Band
      Album:  Wild West Music
   3. Armed Forces Medly
      Composer:  Arranged by Thomas Knox
      Performer:  U.S. Marine Band
      Album:  Blessings of Liberty
   4. God of Our Fathers
      Composer:  George W. Warren (1828-1902), arranged by Thomas Knox
      Performer:  U.S. Marine Band
      Album:  Blessings of Liberty
   5. Gardens of Stone
      Composer:  James Beckel (1948- )
      Performer:  Hanscom Air Force Base Band
      Album:  Spirit of Ellis Island
   6. Second Dawning
      Composer:  James Hosay (1959- )
      Performer:  U.S. Army Band
      Album:  Made in America
      The piece was inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall and end of the Soviet Union. It was originally written for The United States Army Brass Band and Herald Trumpets.
   7. Eternal Father, Strong to Save
      Composer:  John Dykes (1823-1876), arranged by Claude T. Smith (1932-1987)
      Performer:  U.S. Navy Band
      Album:  Best of the U.S. Navy Band
   8. Variations on a Shaker Melody
      Composer:  Aaron Copeland (1900-1990), arranged for band by Aaron Copeland
      Performer:  U.S. Army Field Band
      Album:  One Nation Under God
   9. Godspeed
      Composer:  Stephen Melillo (1957- )
      Performer:  U.S. Army Band
      Album:  One Nation Under God