Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: June 21, 2025

Although a modern classical composer who primarily writes for orchestra, Kenneth Fuchs has a very strong wind-band background. He played flute and piccolo in his high school band. He studied under Alfred Reed, one of the major wind-band composers of the 20th century, when he attended Miami University in Florida. He even played piccolo under Frederick Fennel, one of the major wind-band conductors of the 20th century. He then attended the Julliard School of Music where he studied under Vincent Persichetti. From Juliard, he received both his masters in music and his doctorate in musical arts. This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion opens with the “Discover the Wild” overture of Kenneth Fuchs.

1. Discover the Wild (overture)
   Composer:  Kenneth Fuchs (1956- )
   Performer:  U.S. Coast Guard Band
   Album:  Point of Tranquility
     
2. Onward, Upward
   Composer:  Edwin Franko Goldman (1878-1956)
   Performer:  U.S. Army Field Band
   Album:  Legacy of Edwin Franko Goldman
     
3. Jubilee (1937)
   Composer:  Edwin Franko Goldman (1878-1956)
   Performer:  Morton Gould & His Orchestra
   Album:  Brass and Percussion
     
4. Point of Tranquility
   Composer:  Kenneth Fuchs (1956- )
   Performer:  U.S. Coast Guard Band
   Album:  Point of Tranquility
     
5. Forever Free
   Composer:  Kenneth Fuchs (1956- )
   Performer:  U.S. Coast Guard Band
   Album:  Point of Tranquility
     
6. On the Mall (1923)
   Composer:   Edwin Franko Goldman (1878-1956)
   Performer:  Morton Gould & His Orchestra
   Album:  Brass and Percussion
     
7. Chimes of Liberty (1922)
   Composer:   Edwin Franko Goldman (1878-1956)
   Performer:  Morton Gould & His Orchestra
   Album:  Brass and Percussion
     
8. Happy Go Lucky
   Composer:  Edwin Franko Goldman (1878-1956)
   Performer:  Morton Gould & His Orchestra
   Album:  Brass and Percussion
     
9. Miami Beach Rhumba
   Composer:  Irving Fields (1915-2016)
   Performer:  Akita Symphonic Band
   Album:  Noahiro Iwai Collection, Vol. 1
     
10. Charade (1963)
    Composer:  Henry Mancini (1924-1994)
    Performer:  Akita Symphonic Band
    Album:  Noahiro Iwai Collection, Vol. 1
      
11. Stomping at the Savoy (1936 recording)
    Composer:  Edgar Sampson (1907-1973)
    Performer:  Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
    Album:  Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need
      
12. I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo (1942 recording)
    Composer:  Mack Gordon (lyrics, 1904-1959) & Harry Warren (music, 1893-1981)
    Performer:  Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
    Album:  Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need