The Topeka Santa Fe Band celebrated its 100th anniversary and performed at White Concert Hall Nov. 24. Different popular pieces were performed by the band. The connection between the performers and the audience was evident, creating unforgettable experiences that were cherished by all who attended.
The concert began with a unique opening, featuring a proclamation by the Kansas Governor, Laura Kelly, declaring the day as Topeka Santa Fe Band Day. The concert included a recording from 1946 and a performance of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”, a song with roots in American folk music and circus history.
Shannon Frakes, freshman forensic chemistry major, attended the concert and shared about her favorite piece.
“I have to attend this concert for my music appreciation class, and it was good, I enjoyed it. I like the last piece, “Stars and Stripes Forever.” We’re learning about it in class, so I could relate to it, and I thought it was catchy and patriotic,” Frakes said.
Jonathan Fauci, a longtime member of the band, introduced Julia Jacobson Shirley and reflected on the band’s history. He highlighted the contribution of Mr.Clarence Whitlow, who served for 64 years in the band and mentioned the dedication of a march, written by Robert L. Johnson in 1988, to honor Mr. Whitlow’s retirement.
Audrey Sharon, student at Cair Paravel Latin School, attended the concert and shared her experiences and thoughts on Santa Fe Band.
“I liked all the music and the vocalist. My favorite piece was The Wizard of Oz one…I liked how they blended all the songs from the movie together and I enjoyed the piece ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’,” Sharon said.
“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was performed by the band which was first published in 1900. The book is set in Kansas, has sold over three million copies and is considered a significant work in American Literature. The book inspired a 1902 Broadway musical and iconic 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ( MGM )film, which won an Oscar for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland.
John Carr, one of the trumpet players in the band, talked about his inspiration and shared his journey in the band and experiences at a concert.
“My father, he was a musician in high school and college, he played the music and just inspired me, and I took off from there,” Carr said. “My son and my two grandsons were playing at the same concert and it’s the first time three generations have played in a concert in Santa Fe Band history, it was a proud moment for me.”
In 1964, Walt Disney Studios created “It’s a Small World” for the 1964 World Fair in New York, as a tribute to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The ride featured 500 animated children from around the world, singing in various languages and attracted 10.3 million riders over two years. The song, written by Sherman’s brother, is considered the most cyclical of all time, with over 55 million plays.
The concert ended with “Stars and Stripes Forever’ by John Philip Sousa, which is considered the most popular march in the world.It was performed on May 14, 1897, and became the official national march of the USA. The concert was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers with a lot of happy faces in the audience.
Edited by Stuti Khadka and Morgan Albrecht
