Lowcountry Wind Symphony rehearsing
The Lowcountry Wind Symphony (LWS), under the direction of Donald F. Jemella proudly opens its 2025-2026 season with the longstanding tradition honoring America’s Veterans – Past, Present, and Always.
This year LWS pays tribute to the US Army, US Marines, and US Navy in celebrating their 250th Birthdays. Instrumental highlights include ‘Esprit du Corps,’, ‘Semper Fidelis,’ ‘Hymn to the Marines,’ ‘Invincible Eagle,’ ‘They Solemnly Served,’ ‘America the Beautiful,’ and more.
LWS is a concert band made up of some 60 amateur and professional brass, wind, and percussion players from the greater Beaufort area. The concerts are Admission Free, but donations are gratefully received.
LWS will present Saluting America’s Veterans X at the following venues:
Sunday, November 9, 2025, 4:00 P. M.
St. John’s Lutheran Church
157 Lady’s Island Drive
Beaufort, SC 29907
(Open to the public)
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 7:00 P. M.
Carolina Ballroom
Dataw Island, SC 29920
(DIC Members/Guests Only)
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 7:00 P. M.
Magnolia Hall, Sun City
Bluffton, SC 29909
(Residents/Guests Only)
About the music:
To Honor America is a collection of patriotic tunes that includes America the Beautiful, Yankee Doodle, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, and Simple Gifts. James Swearingen’s instrumental arrangement of these familiar melodies commemorates Flag Day, June 14, which was created by an act of Congress in 1777.
God of Our Fathers: In 1892 Composer Daniel Roberts submitted this hymn to be considered for a revision of the Episcopal
Music Director Donald F. Jemella
hymnal. It was to be a prayer for the nation for a celebration of the Centennial of the US Constitution. This arrangement is acknowledged to be a standard for wind bands.
Hymn to The Marines by Stephen Melillo, came about as a connection to Marine Lance Corporal Michael Ashby, then serving in Iraq. The composer questioned what he could do to help Ashby and his buddies in Baghdad, and the response was to write something beautiful – perhaps a different arrangement of the Marines Hymn. Melillo chose to deliver a quiet, reflective expression of his love, admiration, and respect for all they do in the name of Freedom.
Esprit du Corps: John Philip Sousa dedicated this lively march to his friend, Wilson J. Vance who served with the 21st Ohio Infantry during the Civil War, and was awarded a Medal of Honor for his valor.
At 13 Sousa’s father had him enlisted in the Marine Corps as an apprentice musician to prevent him from joining a circus band. There he served until his 21st Birthday in 1875. During this time he played the violin in a pit orchestra, where he learned how to conduct and composed Esprit du Corps. In 1880 he rejoined the Marines, where he served as bandmaster for twelve years, transforming the Marine Band in Washington DC into a premier musical organization. During his tenure there he composed many of his popular marches.
Semper Fidelis was written by John Philip Sousa in 1888, while he was serving as director of the Marine Corps Band. It is now regarded as the official march of the Marine Corps. It was first performed at the inauguration of President Benjamin Harrison in 1889. There it was met with thunderous applause as the band passed by the newly elected president’s reviewing stand. Sousa considered it his ‘best’ march.
Invincible Eagle, also composed by John Philip Sousa, it was written for the Pan -American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York in 1901. Sousa thought of it as one of his ‘sunshine marches’, intended to convey the military spirit at its lightest and brightest – the parade spirit.
The Empty Stocking by Stephen Melillo was inspired by the final moments in the film, The Bishop’s Wife (1947), where David Niven’s character delivers a sermon reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. In addition to stockings filled with treats for the family, there is one empty one, for Jesus.
Piano soloist Gloria Bockelman renders Melillo’s heartfelt composition in memory of those veterans who have left us this past year, and whose stocking is now empty. Gloria is a busy musician in the Beaufort area, serving as accompanist at St. John’s Lutheran Church and with the Lowcountry Chorale. She is also active in numerous local Beaufort County theater productions.
Freedom’s Voice commemorates the founding of Voice of America, an international radio network established in 1942 to combat Axis propaganda. It continues to operate today. Commissioned to David Shaffer, Freedom’s Voice utilizes two simple musical elements that build to a broad finale, celebrating the glory of freedom and freedom of speech.
Eternal Father, Strong to Save is often referred to as ‘The Navy Hymn’. This beautiful theme is traditionally associated with seafarers, particularly in the maritime armed services. The lyrics, originally written in 1860 by author William Whiting, noted the dangers of the seas which were described in the Bible, Psalm 107. Soprano Mary Oseguera Lara will sing the stirring words, accompanied by LWS.
Mary also plays in the Lowcountry Wind Symphony’s clarinet section. As a Marine, she recently served in the Parris Island Marine Band here in Beaufort. She currently teaches English and Language Arts at Beaufort Middle School.
For the Fallen: The Fourth and final movement of composer and veteran Onsby Rose’s Symphony No. 1 is a moving tribute to service members who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It draws upon two existing works, Nearer My God To Thee, and the Bach Chorale, Our Father, Who Art in Heaven to represent the journey from this life to the next.
Service Songs Medley: LWS always includes each of our nation’s service songs, providing a time at the concert for veterans in the audience to stand and be recognized for their service. This year, from Richard Goodwin, an arrangement of music for the 6th and newest branch of the US Military, the Space Force is included.
Lowcountry Wind Symphony welcomes new members at any time. Talented high school youth are also encouraged to join us. Auditions are not required. For more information or to become involved in band operations support please contact
director@lowcountrywindsymphony.com or 843-304-0543
We invite you to join us for Saluting America’s Veterans X as together we continue ‘Exploring What’s Musically Possible.’ For more information about LWS, please visit our website at www.lowcountrywindsymphony.com
