program notes by composition > R > Rhapsody for Hanukkah

Rhapsody for Hanukkah

Stephen Bulla

Rhapsody for Hanukkah is a medley of seven tunes of the season: “Y’Ladim,” “Ner Li” (I Have a Candle), “Simu Shemen” (Pouring Oil), “Hanukkah Begins Tonight,” “The Dreidel Song” (about the game played with a four-sided spinning top), “Raisins and Almonds,” and “Eight Days of Hanukkah.”

Stephen Bulla (b.1953) began his musical instruction at age six, growing up in a musical household. He studied trombone and composition/arranging at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He was staff arranger to "The President's Own" United States Marine Band and Chamber Orchestra in Washington, DC for over 30 years. He has transcribed movie music for band, and has scored music for many TV productions. An honored member of ASCAP, he conducted the National Capital Band for 15 years and presently serves as artistic director and principal conductor for New England Brass Band and Brass of the Potomac.

Last updated on December 6, 2018 by Palatine Concert Band