August 2, 2011
Have you ever experienced something in your life where you could later remember every detail – what you wore, who you were with, what you had for dinner, and each conversation you participated in? Paradoxically, have you ever forgotten where you put your keys, or your password for an online account? How many times in a given week do you have to remind students of a particular F#, or to pay attention to the crescendo going into the B section? And why is it that learning seems so tedious leading up to a concert, but there is a sudden leap in the learning curve right after a concert?
Advances in electronics and the miniaturization of the gadgets that musicians use in performance and practice have contributed to a flood of new devices designed to help performers play in tune, but do they actually lead to better ensemble intonation? What does playing “in tune” really mean? What skills come into play to help students learn to perform in tune? And what resources are available to help our students learn to play with better intonation?
Searching for music that is appropriate for advanced concert bands and wind symphonies can be a daunting task. The selection of pieces to be performed is entirely subjective and reflects the taste of the director. In addition, the process of finding suitable music involves a great deal of time and intensive score study on part of the conductor in order to determine which compositions best fit a particular musical group.
These six compositions at the grade five and six level of difficulty should be in the music library of every advanced band program. The review includes an overture, suites, a tone poem, and a symphony. All are selections that will challenge even the best performers.
Ever walked by a mirror or big store window and not looked at yourself? There’s more than just good looks in that reflection. Stimulation, motivation, analysis, curiosity, truth… all this and more comes to life when teachers bring camera recording technology into their classroom instruction. Talk about exciting reality television!
Just about everyone involved in music can trace their career back to one decisive moment when something happened that made them realize that music would be a major part of their lives. For educator, author and director of bands at the University of Mississippi, David Willson, that moment came as a high school band student, when he recognized the potential that music had to create a community where everyone could contribute and, what’s more, everyone’s contribution was necessary for the community.
