Feb
23
2010
This week I began researching interpretation and feeling as part of my work at Kent State. At first glance, they seemed unrelated. However, the more I began reading perspectives of different composers and conductors, my conclusion is that great interpretation does not just recreate the composer’s intent but rather conveys feelings that the composer intended. The sources abounded including Mark Camphouse’s series Composers on Composing for Band, and a great text edited by John Williamson Rehearsing the Band – both of which I recommend for great insight into score study, interpretation, and enhancing your podium perspective. Continue Reading »
Feb
11
2010
Ironically enough my readings this past week at Kent State, a Facebook discussion thread, and Valentine’s Day collided at spawned this post. Pushing students to achieve levels of tonal and rhythmic accuracy is important – it is all part of getting them to a point where they have the technical proficiency they need to execute the big fundamental structure of a piece of music. Tone quality and intonation awareness are two other dimensions that if mastered, start to create degrees of separation in the quality of the ensembles we hear. When we can educate the individual musician (the musician inside their head) they can use the instrument as a vehicle of communication to as they display phrasing, dynamic contrast, and stylistic interpretation. These are all worthwhile and important goals of instrumental music education – but if a trophy on the wall is more important than guiding students towards a meaningful life-long relationship with music…
Jan
26
2010
Though living in the Northeast, the one thing I enjoy about January and February – besides Pitt basketball playing conference games in the Big East – is getting the chance to just teach. Nothing pressing, no standardized tests on the immediate horizon, the students have returned refreshed from break, and there is plenty of fertile ground to plant some good musical seeds. This week my Wind Ensemble began receiving music for our chamber recital in mid-March. Now in addition to the music for our concert “A Night at the Opera” on March 4th, they will be breaking out into some small group work at least twice each week. The more I do chamber music with my students, the more good things I see happen in their performance skills, and in their ability to analyze their work, critique their own and their peer’s performance, and begin to develop some comprehensive musicianship. Continue Reading »
Jan
3
2010
A great find tonight on Youtube. I was fortunate enough to have Irish Jig for Young Feet performed at the 63rd Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Decmeber by the Vandercook College Symphonic Band. My thanks to Dr. Charles Menghini and Stacey Larson for programming this piece. Stacey did a great job with the band, and it was a pleasure meeting her. You can view the performance by clicking here. Another great performance was given by the Florida State Summer Music Camp Wind Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Patrick Dunnigan of American Visions. My thanks to Dr. Dunnigan for selecting the piece and sharing it with these students. You can view the performance by clicking here. I am also pleased to learn that both Irish Jig for Young Feet and Pirates! were selected to the BandWorld Top 100 for 2009-10.
Dec
31
2009
Nope sorry. No Dr. Jones here. Even a little far yet from being Dr. Weller. But my search is beginning to intensify, and I am starting to see some light in an area of instrumental music that I am deeply concerned about. I promise there will be no fire at the high school or the middle school, but I do expect to turn up the heat…it is January in the Northeast, after all.
