Most days no introduction to the playlist is provided. Today, as does every January 28, marks an exception.
About today’s playlist.
Fifty 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 school district where they were working. The plane went down. Both men died. My father served as the assistant superintendent.
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. Apartment. Germantown.
Unless otherwise noted, the artist performing the songs is the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein.
Semper Fidelis
The Thunderer
Washington Post
Hands Across the Sea
Radetsky March, Op. 228
Scotland the Brave – The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Tank Regiment
Under the Double Eagle
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Stars and Stripes Forever
The British Grenadiers
The National Emblem
Rakoczy March/Hungarian March
Light Calvary Overture – London Festival Orchestra
March of the Toreadors from Carmen, Suite No. 1
Coronation March from Le Prophete
Grand March from Aida
Pomp and Circumstance
Along the Graybeard Trail 