Lost in the early stages of the pandemic, I wrote a piece for Dennis Emert’s Elementary Band from Fox Chapel for their performance at the 2020 PMEA Conference. Although we were disappointed that the debut was canceled, it was a pleasure visiting with he and his students virtually last spring. “Lonely Travelers” is a setting of the folk songs 900 […]
I often see posts in discussion groups and field questions from directors regarding repertoire selection. Too often, the advice I see posted is “Anything by __________” (insert composer name here). I understand the desire to have an easy solution but “play anything by Composer X” does not take into account individual situations, students, and the context of the school. I […]
For elementary band directors who are perhaps in need of a short work for a Veterans Day performance, I hope you might find Patriots on Parade to be useful. This adaptable flex band work for young band makes use of America: My Country ‘Tis of Thee as the main source material. Interspersed throughout are short two measure snippets from each […]
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 […]
So many band directors had their rehearsal cycle towards final concerts with their students interrupted by the COVID-19 crisis. It got me thinking about what happens when the music resumes in rehearsal rooms across the country, and the first concert is held. If everything was in order and you could program your ideal concert, what pieces would you select? Please […]
