Director vs. Teacher

I was fortunate to have great music teachers from age 5 on. Starting with my first piano teacher who taught me the music staff, to my children's choir director who shared his love of making music, to my middle school band teacher who emphasized understanding music theory and sight-reading. As I got older in high school in college these teachers turned into directors, it was more student management and the rehearsal grind. Now there were moments I again saw their passion and love of music; in those moments we as a group really shone.

In this era of complex evaluation, merit pay and the slow death of tenure do we need to reconsider the role of band director? I have always thought of myself as a band teacher. This is probably why I gravitated towards elementary band, but if high school had happened I feel I would have gone in the same direction.

It is a fine line to consider when working with music students. Is our goal great concerts and/or top contest ratings? Is our goal students gaining a love and respect of music? Is our goal greater musical understanding?

I think great teachers don't have to choose. When we teach to the whole student, go deep into the music: learning the theory, history and meaning of the music, we accomplish all of those goals.

I think is this era of accountability we are given the opportunity to really shine, to prove how beneficial music really is. We can use these new challenges to our advantage.

Ideas to consider:

1. Taking rehearsal time to learn more theory.

2. Taking rehearsal time to have students learn the history of the songs and/or the composer's intent.

3. Having students compose and do projects related to music they are working on.

4. Discuss real life applications/careers in the music field.

We need to keep what we do relevant. As a music teacher we KNOW what we do is benefiting students but sometimes we need to go beyond just the notes and rhythms and playing well to prove it.

I'm going to wrap up this slightly rambling post with a plug. I believe in Comprehensive Musicianship, teaching with intention and proper planning. If you want to discover more about this philosophy of teacher check out one of these sites:

http://www.wmea.com/CMP/

http://www.ilcmp.org/

http://www.iowacmp.org/

Beginning Band Music Selection

Choosing the right music for your beginning band is a challenge. There are a few important things you need to consider right off the bat:

1. Number of melody/harmony lines: In general the biggest mistake young band directors make in music selection is choosing pieces with too many melodic lines. In general beginners are most successful in 2 or 3 part songs, with the majority of the piece moving as one. Of course it is important for students to learn to play in parts, but be wary of how many complex pieces you program in a concert.

2. Range and Key: In general with beginners you want to stick with 5-7 note songs, and in the first year you really do not want to go much above concert A-Bb, as it is your trumpets for the most part will not be able to comfortably hit their high C. When trying to expand their range consider using a familiar tune where they can hear if they are correct.

3. Appeal: You want to pick music that students will connect to while it being also being quality literature. This is a challenge. The vast majority of music being written for beginning band (grade .5-1) is not original nor appealing to the 21st century 10 year old. I'm not saying we need to program all pop music, students really love classical melodies and folk songs. What you want to avoid overly simplified tunes, nursery rhymes, and pieces where there is little challenge.

4. Variety in Programming: There is a traditional formula to band concert programming-Opener which is typically a Fanfare or Overture, Lyrical Piece, March and Closer which is typically longer and exciting. This formula works for a reason, it teaches a range of styles, expressive qualities and music/band history. I typically do stick this formula, however finding Marches for beginners is a challenge-at least those that are traditional march form.

5. Instrumentation and student ability: Instrumentation is a huge issue in music selection. Unfortunately many arranger/composers of young band literature have an unrealistic concept of reality when it comes to instrumentation. First the typical elementary band does not have many harmony instruments-bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor/bari sax and often do not have tuba, oboe or french horn either. Most smart arrangers double these parts but the frequent lack in low voices is a major concern. On the other hand you do not want to pick parts that bore your poor trombones to tears either. It is important to study your ensemble the first part of the year and work to discover strengths and weaknesses in your sections when selecting music.

6. Cross-curricular: Finally one last consideration is music which links to their other subjects. This is big in the era of Common Core. Finding pieces which have links to literature, history, science etc. can really add validity to your program.

So is music selection overwhelming yet? To help here are a couple examples of beginning band pieces have had been very successful with in the past:

CC-indicates Cross Curricular literature.

First concert: (typically my first beginner concert is mainly from their text but I like for them to experience at least one "full page song", these are my favorites)

"Shark Attack!" by Les Taylor
"Popcorn Prelude" by Mike Hannikel
"Freedom's Road" by Paul Lavender
"Dance of the Jabberwocky" by Rob Grice **if your first concert is later in the school year CC

Second Concert:

Beginner Openers:
"Fanfare Heroica" by Brian Balmages
"Declaration and Dance" by Larry Clark
"Ancient Hunters" by Sean O'Loughlin CC
"Cardiff Castle" by Mark Williams CC

Beginner Marches
"Yankee Spirit March" by John O'Reilly CC
"Admiration" by Larry Clark
"To the Fore" by Chris Bernotas

Beginner Lyrical:
"Anasazi" by John Edmondson CC
"Spirit of the Wolf" by Michael Oare CC
"Chase Through the Midnight Forest" by Darren W. Jenkins
"Soaring Through Ionian Skies" by Robert W. Smith CC

Beginner Closer:
Something by Robert W. Smith, he writes pieces that kids LOVE to play but are much easier than they sound, my favorite is "Tempest" but he has many great pieces.
"Midnight Mission" by Brian Balmages
"Storm Chaser" by Kevin Mixon CC

Beginner Gimmicky Pieces: (these are fun for students but you have to be careful to not overuse them)
"Along Came a Spider" by Mike Hannikel
"Slip and Slide" by Ralph Ford
"Creatures in the Attic" by Brian Balmages

Beginner Pops:
"Star Wars (Main Theme)" arranged by Carl Strommen
"25 or 6 to 4" arranged by Michael Story
"Rockin Robin" arranged by Gerald Sebesky

There are many great literature lists on there on the interwebs. Good luck in your future concert programming!