- I don't like wearing just a t-shirt to conduct, so my plan was to wear a suit coat over my t-shirt. I figured when I'd put it on after playing bass with the jazz band. I was surprised at how muggy and hot the auditorium was. I don't think I've ever been in there when it was that hot. The suit coat never came on.
- The Thursday night rehearsal stressed me out much more than the concert. I realized that the alumni were actually going to show up! However, Mr. Dirth actually felt a little worse after that rehearsal because the group had a hard time with the transition BUT we were missing so many of the regular band kids. He left he legislative meeting early to come up and conduct the group during our dress rehearsal. When they nailed every transition every time he was quite surprised, and I was celebrating - these kids were prepared and awesome!
- Getting RISE! up to tempo was not easy. I like it slower and that's how we'd practiced it, unfortunately. I also felt like the chorus and the piano held me back. The Podds gave great feedback on their composition during the rehearsal, though, and we pushed it. I also had to basically ignore the chorus and the piano and trust that they were following us. I think we got it up to tempo at the concert, and it seemed to be glorious (haven't listened yet.) I don't ever remember being so physically tired after a piece.
- IMMEDIATE STANDING OVATION from a FULL AUDITORIUM!
- "The oboe solo wasn't just in tune, it was soaring over the piece."
- Pre-concert time is crazy enough during a normal concert. We added t-shirt handouts and alumni. A reporter wanted a few words as I was running by him in the hallway full of kids. I said no.
Yesterday was the target date that was chosen in August 2017. The target was the ALUMNI CONCERT. It was an amazing experience. There are a few things I want to remember, so I'm typing them here.
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When I first started at the high school there was a talent show run by the performing arts department. Each year the band had a few small ensembles that were part of it. My vision had been for each section of the band to be represented, but the first year I only ended up with a saxophone ensemble and a flute ensemble. The following year I barely scraped together a percussion ensemble. The talent show disappeared and so did the small ensembles. I think of it this time of year every year because there is a small ensemble concert as part of our district festival, and I have only had one group participate (another sax ensemble). I also started thinking about this because of an Instrumentalist magazine article. Basically, the author talked about getting gigs and having the small ensembles do them. They are obviously in a more populated area, because they had gigs at lots of nursing homes, homeless shelters, middle schools, etc. However, I think we can make this work. WHY? Because small ensembles teach listening, leadership, independence, balance, dynamics and more. HOW? I give time during rehearsals. I can focus on one section while letting the ensemble go to work. So when I have brass stuff to focus on, I send the clarinet choir to the chorus room and the flute ensemble to the practice room. Sax ensemble in the MIDI room. Percussion stays with the brasses! WHERE can they play? Nursing homes, Rotary/Elks/Lions meetings, library, schools, and concerts. Perhaps they could play at high school, junior high, or even elementary concerts before they begin. WHEN? In the fall of 2018 this can begin. I just need to buy some music.... As a NCUHS Band student, you will get many opportunities to play your instrument, including:
The NCUHS Concert Band learns so much through performance. Learning to be on stage, dealing with the nervousness, dressed as professionals and knowing that you only get that one shot, is a truly valuable experience.
The music we perform includes marches, pop & rock music, classical music, holiday music, folk music, jazz music, all in addition to music written especially for band. We perform four concerts every year - one fully instrumental and three concerts with the choral students. We perform in at least one parade - Memorial Day - and we always attempt to march in the All-State Parade in the beginning of May. In the fall we play at all of the home football games and the pep rally. The pep rally we perform with all of the dance students.
I've learned a lot this summer by reading Miles Davis' autobiography. He revolutionized music several times and he recorded SO MUCH music. I've only scratched the surface of what he did. Of course, I knew he played bebop and basically invented cool jazz (Kind of Blue) but I hadn't realized that influenced every style of jazz after big band swing. His favorite band (I think) recorded five albums together:
In planning for Jazz Band this year I plan on continuing to study jazz history, theory, and improvisation in addition to rehearsing for performances. Last year we only really got as far as cool jazz, so this year we'll start jazz history with hard bop. In order to play jazz, it's important to listen to jazz. Here's a playlist of music we might be playing:
This week completes my first week working on my Master's Degree from PSU. I was observed by a professor and I had to set some goals. It's challenging to set goals with a concert coming up, but as Dr. Corcoran suggested, concerts should be a demonstration of what we're working on, not necessarily a perfect product.
One of our goals this week involved the "addition" counting system, which isn't much different from what we already do but involves accenting syllables on the 8th notes. Students picked it up quickly but some students didn't like it at all. We're getting close to the concert, but I think we're in pretty good shape. We haven't actually played all the way through the pieces yet but it's ok. I'm looking forward to some full rehearsals. ...for me.
On Friday I began my first college course that will take me towards my Master's Degree. I already feel like I'm learning something and getting ideas from Plymouth State University professor Dr. Corcoran. Each week I'm going to set goals for the band, and these goals will be indirectly related to the music that we will perform at our upcoming concert. I'll also be evaluating those goals every Friday. Dr. Corcoran was impressed with the rhythm-counting ability of the NCUHS band. Apparently some bands do not count rhythms, only learning songs by rote (usually meaning the director will sing the parts). There is more to counting though, and I already learned something I can pass on! (Students will love counting 16th notes in 6/8!) Another problem we have is counting in cut-time, and Dr. Corcoran gave me a book with exercises that will help with that. Counting rhythms will be a major goal for the band. Some of the other articles that Dr. Corcoran included in his coursework prompted me to think about the bigger picture. Concerts are important, but they are not the be-all and end-all; my website needs to be updated; the band boosters need a boost; what band traditions should continue? And the really big picture: a four-year plan for the band. All of these things take time, of course... I'm going to attempt to keep this blog going. It helps me to sort out my thoughts, even if nobody reads it. I've been terrible about updating the announcements. I'll try to catch you up! SENIORSSENIOR PICTURES - I'd like one! I only have two so far... SENIOR MUSIC - what do you want the band to play when your name is called at graduation? Most of you have told me, but I'm still missing several. If I don't have one, we can always play Hot Cross Buns... Memorial Day ParadeIn North Troy this year, the parade starts at 11:00. We march through town to the American Legion, where we play the Star-Spangled Banner. POPS CONCERTOur "POPS" Concert is May 25th this year. We will be joining the chorus, the jazz band, men's women's and select choruses. The theme is musical theater this year. As usual, the concert begins at 7:00 so students should arrive by 6:00 to get changed, warmed up and tuned up. We will be joining the chorus in wearing blue jeans and t-shirts - every student will be receiving a concert t-shirt. GRADUATIONGraduation is June 4 at 11:00. Students should dress nicely - NO JEANS OR SNEAKERS. They should arrive by 10:15.
PEP BAND
The Band will be playing pep band music for the 8th graders as they arrive on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. We'll be outside from 8:15-8:45 or so. This is weather-dependent, however!
Concert recording!Mr. PRUE's CLASSESAre you looking for some more classes? Like music? Well, maybe you should try these:
ALL-STATEStudents who are in the All-State Festival need to give me their t-shirt size. It needs to be entered by me on an All-State page.
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