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.