The latest on the Fugue

Students have now written a subject for their fugues, and many have written the first countersubject. Many have also added the answer in the second voice. We are keeping the fugue as simple as possible, with only one episode and one re-entry of the subject. Some students chose to base their fugue around a familiar theme from a song, but most have chosen to compose an original subject as well. So far, so good... especially considering that this is the first time many of them have approached a serious composition. I am pleasantly surprised with their efforts to date.

There are a couple of students who are choosing to write a simpler rhythm fugue. My concern is that this could so easily turn into a basic drum beat for a drum set with a short solo in the middle as an episode. On the other hand, if the exposition follows proper form, this could be reasonable, right? I don't see how else to accommodate a couple of my percussionists who are still struggling to learn pitched percussion. Ah, one of the few times I miss having a piano prerequisite for beginning percussionists.

I feel the need to point out that this project has taken off from its original objective, which was to simulate the exposition with simple rhythms created by the students. I am pleased with the progress we have made, and I hope that they continue to take the project through to completion.

Ammo...

I try to find as many articles and studies to support music in schools as I can. This article was sent to me by my mother, a reading specialist.

Adolescents Involved With Music Do Better In School

The article is definitely worth at least a cursory glance. It is also worth taking a look through the links on the page to related stories.

New techniques

I am attempting something new for me this semester. I am working toward planning six weeks of lessons for my band at a time. Robert Sheldon suggested this in a demonstration rehearsal I attended at Midwest, and so I'm giving it a shot. My concern is that by week five or six the plans will no longer seem valid. That said, what's the worst that can happen? I have to rewrite the last week or two of plans?

I'm also working on including more Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) techniques. First and foremost involves the form of a fugue. I started by introducing it using a video from YouTube. It worked quite well, and also allowed me to show the original fugue as a projection. Eventually, I hope to have my students compose a fugue themselves. I intend to keep the results of my experiment posted here.

Midwest Clinic

If you are a band director, you should attend Midwest Clinic (link). If you don't, you're missing out. Look around the website for the details. Anyway, at Midwest this year, I saw Eric Whitacre conduct band arrangement he did of one of his pieces from "Paradise Lost," an opera he recently wrote (link). It has a rock combo and drum loops in the background. I noticed a lot of people around me who didn't appreciate it, or Eric. Now I will be the first to admit that Whitacre is a bit eccentric on the podium, but so are a lot of famous composers. They also didn't agree with the loops. Granted, loops tend to negate the primary purpose of conductor as beat keeper, but that doesn't stop them from making cues and directing expression. Also, what is wrong with using alternative instruments? In fact, I found the piece engaging and thought provoking.

I am only left to see some of Whitacre's techniques as too contemporary for some traditionalists. I can't help but think if more of his pieces could be translated to a level appropriate for middle and high school students, we just might be able to do a better job of bridging the gap between students' casual listening and their band experience.

Okay, so not necessarily the most eloquent post, but consider the sentiment. What do you think?

I realize not many people read this blog... yet. I intend to use this blog as a place to discuss my position as a band director. I will tend to post vague things, not specifics, and I will avoid all identifying information... I think. I'm still figuring this one out. Regardless, I think it will be good.

experimentation...

(x-posted to myspace/facebook/lj)

Okay, so I'm looking for some new music. I have my tried and true favorites, but I'm starting to feel my ears getting stale. I find I spend the most time on Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, James Taylor, John Mayer, Nickel Creek, KT Tunstall, Regina Spektor, Guster... I think that's about it.

So here's my hope: I would appreciate it if anyone who reaches this post would submit a comment with one - NOT two or three - artist OR album that I should check out. Please also include a reason I should check it out. Is it similar to something else I listen to? Is it completely different, but you're so emphatically impressed you want me to hear it?

If everyone who reads this comments, I should get at LEAST two or three suggestions of something I don't have, right??? :-)

Thanks for your help!

-jms