It was really nice hearing from Emily, a freshman music major, a couple of days ago. Her journey is just beginning, and knowing who she is studying with – I cannot be more excited for her. In one of her music education classes she was asked to pose some questions to a current teacher about how they arrived at being a music educator. The answers I provided to her are not earth-shattering, but it was a nice opportunity to reflect back to decisions and thoughts that have been brewing for about 20 years. If they are help and inspiration to you, then they have done their job. If they give you pause to consider where you are now or where you want to go – brava! I hope these thoughts are help to Emily and other young educators to consider along the way. My choices are not perfect – they are the best choices I could make at that time in that context. Thank you Emily for helping me remember a few things that I need to hold onto as I continue on my journey and you begin yours…
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A recording of the Washington Winds is up on YouTube as they record “Siege of the Dark Castle” (for young bands) from C.L. Barnhouse.
Quick: Name three composers of wind band literature whose music was written before 1950 that will still be revered in the year 2020?
That should be a fairly easy question for any conductor who has studied scores and understands the pieces that have been at the foundation of the American Wind Ensemble and Concert Band.
Name three composers who wrote music for wind ensembles or concert bands between the years of 1950 and 1980 and will still be played in the year 2020.
Hmm….
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I am pleased to announce score images and recordings of both A West Highland Fanfare and Moravian Dance are up FJH for your perusal. Both pieces enjoyed exciting debuts over the past year, and I am grateful to the many students and their sponsoring directors who were involved in both performances. A West Highland Fanfare is written with MS/JH Band in mind, and maintains a steady tempo throughout in 6/8 time. It makes use of the Scotch-Irish Folk Song Loch Lomond though it is set in a non-traditional meter. Moravian Dance was sketched out over the course of several summers, and draws its influence from the music and composers of what was the former region of Moravia in Europe. The Czeck-style dance builds in texture, intensity, and tempo as it unfolds and the piece spirals towards a spirited conclusion. There are numerous opportunities for each section to contribute, and it generates quite a pit of excitement among the players.
I am pleased to announce that “Journey to the Prairie” audio has finally been posted at Manhattan Beach Music. The recording is by Dr. Edwin P. Arnold and the Grove City College Wind Ensemble – thank you Doc and students! My thanks to sound engineer Dr. Joseph M. Pisano for his assistance as well! The piece should be available by September 1, 2011. For those of you who have been asking – for over a year now – thank you for your patience and support!
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