Repertoire

Some Try to Tell Me Thoughts They Cannot Defend

As I was driving my high school senior to school today, he was telling me that his garage band was talking about what they wanted to perform at some of the upcoming high school open mic nights, put on by the school music department to help raise funds, and increase awareness of school music programs. One of his band mates suggested that they do “Nights in White Satin.” Cool song, right? I mean we all want to play cool old tunes when we perform, and probably have a nice bucket list of songs we all want to have in our repertoire. “That sounds fun, but who is going to sing it?” I asked. “I mean no offense son, but I don’t think anyone in your band can hit the notes on the chorus like Justin Hayward from Moody Blues. Are you planning to recruit another singer for that song?” 

Crickets…

April Essential Repertoire: Frank Ticheli’s List

This installment of concert band repertoire reviews features music in a range of difficulty levels by Gustav Holst, Samuel Adler, William Himes, Percy Grainger, Donald Grantham, Warren Benson and Stravinsky. “Frank Ticheli’s List” is a compilation of core repertoire for concert band selected by composer Frank Ticheli of USC. These pieces have been reviewed by Gregory Rudgers, Dr. John A. Darling, and Dr. Alan Lourens.

Essential Repertoire: Frank Ticheli’s List

This installment of concert band repertoire reviews features music in a range of difficulty levels by James Curnow, Bob Margolis, Pierre La Plante, Jennifer Higdon, and Scott Lindroth. “Frank Ticheli’s List” is a compilation of core repertoire for concert band selected by composer Frank Ticheli of USC. These pieces have been reviewed by Gregory Rudgers, Lawrence Stoffel, and John Darling.

Commentary: Selecting Repertoire

Skimming the Top: - How to Find the New Masterworks - It was the summer before my second year of teaching and I had been looking forward to this day for months. Eager to fill my students' folders with new music in the fall, I had been saving all of the promotional recordings I had received from publishing companies and today was Listening Day Number 1. My enthusiasm didn't last long, though, as after three hours, I had found only one piece that I thought was interesting and well written. "Hmm," I thought, "I must have just accidently picked the wrong companies – tomorrow will be better." 

Pick Your Piece Sweepstakes

Winners to receive free music from Alfred Music Publishing

This November, SBO is partnering with Alfred Music Publishing to give away new music from Alfred’s 2014-2015 catalog. During the week of November 17-21, 2014, music educators can visit www.facebook.com/alfredbandorchestra or www.alfred.com/pickyourpiece2014 to enter the sweepstakes.

Repertoire Review: August, 2014

This installment of concert band repertoire reviews features music in a range of difficulty levels by John Kinyon, Larry Daehn, Steve Rouse, Aaron Copland, and Dana Wilson. “Frank Ticheli’s List” is a compilation of core repertoire for concert band selected by composer Frank Ticheli of USC. These pieces have been reviewed by Gregory Rudgers and John Darling.

Essential Repertoire: May 2014

This installment of core concert band repertoire features reviews of music suitable for an array of grade levels from composers Clancy Weeks, Jan Van der Roost, Bob Margolis, and Karel Husa. “Frank Ticheli’s List” is a compilation of outstanding repertoire for concert band selected by celebrated composer Frank Ticheli. These pieces have been reviewed by Gregory Rudgers, John Darling, and Lawrence Stoffel.

Repertoire Review: April 2014

This installment of core concert band repertoire features reviews of music suitable for an array of grade levels from composers Michael Sweeney, Charles Carter, Norman Dello Joio, and Charles Rochester Young. “Frank Ticheli’s List” is a compilation of outstanding repertoire for concert band selected by celebrated composer Frank Ticheli. These pieces have been reviewed by Gregory Rudgers and Lawrence Stoffel.

String Section: Bach

Bringing Bach to the Future

A hundred years ago, you would be hard-pressed to find an orchestral concert program that did not include something by Johann Sebastian Bach. These days, I find the opposite to be true. You may hear some Bach at a student recital, but on the professional concert circuit, interest in programming Bach seems to be dissipating. More than a few classical music managers have even told me that soloists who play much Bach these days are essentially shooting themselves in the foot.