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?