Aug
23
2010
As another year is about to start, I am taking a big leap with my ensembles at Mercer into a much smaller room. Our first public performance this year will involve all instrumental students in grades 7-12 performing in a chamber recital in late September. In past years, I have only involved the Wind Ensemble students at Mercer in the preparation of this music for the chamber recital. The more I have involved these students in the study and performance of chamber music, the more improvement that takes place in their executive skills, and in their ability to analyze their work, critique their own and their peer’s performance, and begin to develop some comprehensive musicianship. Educators are starting to look at their large ensembles differently, with an eye and ear (appropriately) towards how they can continue to make their elective ensemble a viable and interesting offering among the school curriculum. I do think we should be examining the structure of the big three so that we can make it more relevant in the lives of our students who enroll (VanZandt, 2001). Let’s be honest – how many instrumentalists have graduated from our programs and decided on a long weekend they were going to invite 37 good friends over just so they could play First Suite by Holst? How many of those same students could meet with 4 to 5 other students and play some chamber works for public performance or just the joy of playing much easier? If we are committed to helping students build a life-long relationship with music, then chamber music may offer a viable avenue to go down to keep students connected to the instrument they spend 8 years learning in our programs.
Aug
19
2010
Bump on over to Bandworks Publications, founded by New Jersey composer Patrick J. Burns! I have been a big fan of Patrick’s music for wind band over the past few years, and I am very excited he has launched his own publishing company. It is an honor that he asked me to write a piece for the catalogue alongside some colleagues I really respect in the business including Chris Bernotas, and Drew Fennell (whom has really delivered on conducting and interpreting some of my pieces). Check it out!!!
Aug
16
2010
Big Tents!
Tilt-a-whirl!
Funnel Cake!
(Maybe even a whack-a-mole game!)
Yes, it is time for the return of the Music Educatio Blog Carnival!
For the first time at travisjweller.com, I will be hosting the September 2010 Music Education Blog Carnival! It is pretty amazing to think that the Music Education Blog movement spurned on by Dr. Joseph Pisano just a few short years ago has proliferated into an amazing connection of educators across the globe. Even more amazing is his recent work on the Music PLN (which if you are reading this and have not joined, click it and get in on the conversations!). Submission deadline and more of the particulars will be up later this week. I look forward to hearing from many of you!
Jul
19
2010
I am pleased to announce that two new pieces are available for preview at FJH Music. The first is a piece for middle school/junior high band entitled “Tales of A Medieval Warrior”. It is a three movement work full of brash fanfares, opportunities for small chamber groups within the ensemble, and a thundering conclusion portraying a joust! The second piece is a transcription of a piece I originally wrote for the River City Youth Brass Band. “A Frontier Fought and A City Found” chronicles the final capture of “The Point” in Pittsburgh by British Forces during the Seven Years War. On the FJH Site you are able to preview the score while listening to the recordings by The Washington Winds. As always, thank you for your support of this music, and I hope it can a wonderful musical experience for directors, students, and audiences alike!
Jun
28
2010
I am pleased to have two new selections available from the FJH Music Company this summer. The first is a transcription of a piece originally written for the River City Youth Brass Band in 2009. “A Frontier Fought and A City Found” retells a small part of the story from the Seven-years War in relation to the founding of Pittsburgh, Pa. It is intended for high school band. The second piece is a 3 movement programmatic suite entitled “Tales of Medieval Warrior”. The piece follows the dubbing of new knight, his courtship of a fair maiden, and his eventual conquest at a jousting tournament. It is intended for middle school/junior high ensembles. The first two-movements are in cut-time, though the rhythms are very basic and dance-like. The final movement uses a variety of rhythms in 6/8 time that are well within the abilities of musicians at this age. Thank you to the colleagues who provided feedback about these pieces along the way, and to Brian for his support and belief in this music.
