New Music for 2020-21
Dear Friends and Colleagues in the Band World,
I hope this message finds you safe, healthy, rested, and resilient. It is hard to completely fathom what all of us in education have come through over the past five months. However, tracking music educators on various social media platforms confirmed what I know to be true: you are creative, responsive, and passionate people that place opportunities for students to connect meaningfully with music at the front of all you do. The inventive ways my wife delivered content virtually to her general music classes was really inspiring. Colleagues across the country demonstrated persistence, patience, and renewed empathy to help their students during extraordinary times. For the good of music education and students, I deeply and sincerely appreciate your efforts and energy to make the best in each situation.
As school approaches and you begin to consider what your groups will study and perform this year, I wanted to take time and share with you several ideas, pieces, and resources that may be of interest to you and your ensembles. The current pandemic is presenting a number of challenges for many directors, and the context of every situation places some unique hurdles in the path of progress. There are many great choices out there, but I hope you might find something that will be helpful to you.
Depending upon what your school district has decided regarding fall instruction, it might be necessary for you to consider using chamber/small groups and ensembles to give students a meaningful music making experience. If you need some guidance and insight on the value of a chamber music program as part of a band experience, please read this post from earlier this year. It is based on my own teaching experience over my first 22 years as a band director. Additionally, I have published a series of chamber music pieces on my website that are free for you to download. As time permits, I hope to continue adding to this library of chamber music for use by instrumental music students.
For full band opportunities, I am excited to share that I have three new works available this year. While the current pandemic spoiled the debut in April, I would encourage elementary band directors to consider Lonely Travelers, published by Carl Fischer. Although it is listed as Grade 2, the work is intended for students in their third semester of instrumental music and plays like a Grade 1. The work begins with a setting of the folk song 900 Miles. During the second iteration, the spiritual Wayfaring Stranger is presented over top of the folk song. Both of these songs speak to the idea of searching for something beyond the current situation in which that person finds themselves. The programmatic qualities of the work are essentially tied to the main folk song – 900 Miles – and they evoke the idea of where the song found its origins. Beyond that, both songs connect each of us to the sense of belonging and family that are the human experience. I am deeply appreciative of great friend and exceptional teacher Dennis Emmert for asking me to write for his students in the Fox Chapel School District. Best wishes to Dennis as he retired after a decorated career in music education!
Directors of junior high or middle school groups may want to check out As Joy Ignites, published by Wingert-Jones. This fanfare work was a commission from the Albemarle County Band Directors Association for their 2019 Festival. During my career, there has been nothing as satisfying as gathering a group of young people to work together, encourage and support each other, and create uplifting moments of music in service to their school and community. I admire directors who are able to convey that message to their students so that they recognize their importance and value not only to the spirit of their school, but to society as well. It is with this mindset that I crafted this work at Grade 2. In light of the last few months, I hope joy returns to our rehearsal spaces and performance areas soon and reignites society’s appreciation for the performing arts.
One of the highlights of my year was conducting the 10th Anniversary of the York County High School Honors Band. Jim Martini (along with his colleagues Rick Worley and Jon Moyer) does a fantastic job with the instrumental music program at York Central, and I was humbled that he asked me to not only conduct the festival but write for the group. Intended to open a concert, A Festival Celebration includes a motive with a major 6th interval that permeates the entire work. The piece is part fanfare and part overture that pays homage to the great works students have experienced in festival bands for generations.
Younger bands in need of a concert opener may want to consider Winds of Joy (published C.L. Barnhouse, Gr.1.5). This commissioned work is ideal for concert or even contest/festival situations. An older work that has served many groups well is Siege of the Dark Castle (C.L. Barnhouse, Gr. 2). The parts are very manageable for a 6th grade band or students in their 4th semester of instruction. If you are seeking a great piece to showcase every section of the band for a recruitment concert, please consider I Bought Me A Band (C.L. Barnhouse, Gr. 2). Based on the famous folk song by Copland, it is a delightful romp for every section of the band (including the cat/clarinet who gets to “Fiddle-i-fee”!.
If you are looking for a holiday work at the mid-level, please consider A Winter Flourish for Wenceslas (published by Ludwig-Masters), a festive setting of “Good King Wenceslas”. I appreciate the kind words I received about Peat Fire Flame a setting of the Scottish folk song by the same name. I genuinely believe in the use of appropriate folk music from an artistic, historical and pedagogical perspective and this one really shines for mid-level groups.
I was humbled this past year by the warm reception Chasing Mercury (available from Carl Fischer) received from directors and students alike. Irish Jig for Young Feet (Gr. 2, FJH) has a life of its own as it continues to help students learn to play in 6/8 time. I would encourage you to also check out Tales of a Medieval Warrior (Gr.2.5, FJH) if you are looking for exposure in both Cut-Time and 6/8 for your ensemble. It is a thrill to hear directors and ensembles are enjoying Metro Dances – and yes, if you have strong jazz soloists, please open up that middle for some more improvisation! Finally, American Visions (Gr. 4, FJH), Yankee Fanfare (Gr. 2.5, Grand Mesa) and Songs of Soldiers (Gr. 3.5, Grand Mesa) have proved to be great additions for patriotic and spring concerts.
If I can be of service to you and your students in the coming year, please contact me here or at Messiah University. As Director of Music Education at Messiah College, my schedule at Messiah does afford me to make visits for clinics both in person or Skype/FaceTime/Google Hangout. Please contact me at your convenience if you are interested in exploring a date for a visit – either in person or virtually. I would be happy to listen to your rehearsals (regardless of what you are preparing) in preparation for a concert or contest. Additionally, if you would like to schedule a time for me to talk about composition, or a career path in music I would be happy to do so as well. I passionately believe in the value of bands to the school and community in which they are situated. Your success matters to me, and I want to support you to the best of my ability. I am humbled by the fact many of you deem my music worthy to share with your students, and I hope through the process of studying and performing them it has made your band members stronger musicians and people. Best wishes for a fantastic school year!
