Side by Side: The Nutcracker Swings!

For the second year in a row, the Yale Wind Ensemble (formerly Yale Concert Band), Thomas C. Duffy, Music Director, and the Yale Jazz Ensembles Big Band, Wayne Escoffery, Music Director, will present two settings of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite." With both bands seated side by side on stage, the YWE performs the traditional classical arrangement by Mayhew L. Lake, with the YJE answering movements with Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn's jazzy interpretation of this holiday classic (where "Dance of the Reed-Pipes" becomes "Toot Toot Tootie Toot" and "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" becomes "Sugar Rum Cherry," and more). Don't miss this festive opening to the winter holiday season!