Most days no introduction to the playlist is provided. Today, as does every January 28, marks an exception.
About today’s playlist.
Fifty-one years ago today, my father, William H. Koenig, died in a plane crash. A private pilot, he was flying with a colleague to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to advocate for funds for the Grove City school district where they were working. My father served as the assistant superintendent.
They did not make it to the state capital. The plane went down. Both men died.
Prior to becoming a school administrator he had been a high school band director. He kept his hands in music as he career moved in a different direction. He played string bass in the pit orchestra for high school musicals and he was the first director of the hand bell choir at our church.
He also directed a community band for several years. For two years, I played baritone horn in that band.
One or another of the bands my father directed, played almost all of the songs on this playlist at some point. Many of them I played under my father’s direction.
Dad – since it fell unto your lot
That you should rise and I should not
I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call
Good night and joy be with you
Walking. North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center.
Unless otherwise noted, the artist performing the songs is the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein.
Light Calvary Overture – London Festival Orchestra
Semper Fidelis
The Thunderer
Washington Post
Hands Across the Sea
Radetsky March, Op. 228
Under the Double Eagle
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Stars and Stripes Forever
The British Grenadiers
Rule Bittania
The National Emblem
Rakoczy March/Hungarian March
March of the Toreadors from Carmen, Suite No. 1
Coronation March from Le Prophete
March from the Love for Three Oranges, Op. 33a
War March of the Priests from Athalie, Op, 74
Grand March from Aida
Procession of the Sardar from Two Caucasian Sketches, Op. 10
March from Symphonic Metamorphoses
Pomp and Circumstance
Scotland the Brave – The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Tank Regiment
Anchors Aweigh
Le Marseillaise
Fest March from Tanhauser
Colonel Bogey
Along the Graybeard Trail 