Lots of Rain
The rain kind of put a damper on homecoming. We just couldn't get out in that tonight. I try to do everything to support the students in every way we can but it just wasn't possible tonight. We have tomorrow off and that will be strange for me for sure. You have remember that for the past 13 years I have been going to competition this weekend with one thing in mind...make state. I have had many good days on this weekend but some not so good too. The facts are that many bands will end their season tomorrow because they will not place high enough to continue. We should all remember that everybody wants to do well but only a few will advance. I wish them all the best of wishes but I must say that I am biased towards the bands in which I have been the director. I will certainly be thinking of them all. Here they are:
Fort Mill - Marching instructor/low brass instructor/director's assistant - 3 years
Buford - Head director - 4 years
Battery Creek - Head director - 2 years
Batesburg-Leesville - Head director - 4 years
Swansea - Head director - 3 years
As for my present kids and parents, get some rest. We will need it for the next two weeks. I know we can offer a surprise for everybody if we can have a great next two weeks.
posted by Jon Brady at 9:15 PM
4 Comments:
Have a wonderful weekend yourself and take some deserved relaxation time. I'm sure your wonderful wife will enjoy having you around!!! She is a joy!!!
I dido anonymous! You deserve some rest this weekend and it will give the kids a chance to reflect and hopefully be refreshed with one goal in mind---WIN STATE! GO FOXES! You guys rock!!
Well, your past band did well(2nd by .05, less then state the one year). Thanks for giving us White!
Hi guys, while i was listening to a few performance tapes this weekend on you tube (yeah, i know i'm a real nerd..but hey) I took some notes on a few major problems i noticed in both woodwind and brass parts. Yeah i know, I'm the woodwind captain...I guess i'll break the myth of my "assigned duties." Here are a few things that will make our band better and me a happier person while I'm listening to us.
Woodwinds:(some may apply to brass)
please pull out a metronome and play the beginning. You'll see why in a minutes. There are online free metronomes you can use. Make sure this section is as flawless as possible. This is suppose to be full and loud too. Add your dynamics. F!
Also practice playing this while marching at a left slide.
The visual at the first hold needs to be worked on. There are many people confused when to pull there feet back into 60-40
Saxophones- practice the woodwind feature runs with a metronome about 1,000 times at least before state. tap your foot while counting in your head. also focus on the drum major with your peripheral vision. No turning those shoulders!
m54-58 pull out your music and look at the articulations crescendo through measure 57.
during the backfield move, you need to be louder. Also don't forget about the note shaping. (crescendo for two measures and decrescendo for two measures.)
m78 should be confident! and hold that trill out for 7 beats!
During that really really long hold where the low brass play there feature, you are suppose to be counting and thinking about the visual make it snappy. I also notice that he percussion really need to watch here because any little timing error could throw off the band!
-play measure 98 and 103 confidently!
I feel offended during measures 106-113. I can't hear any woodwinds :(
measure 118- metronome, metronome, metronome, its bad more so in brass!
Be more confident on measure 120 with that fp!
And thats just the first song
SEcond song
You must watch the drum major during m1-13. This is short and precise and the most rebotic section of the show. use a metronome to clean things up! SHORT SHORT SHORT!
m14&15 -belltones
The moderato section is getting better-lower clarinet parts need to be played out. your sitting there..you can play louder)
When we are getting out of the hold, we need to have more stylistid feeling with the 3/4 time signature. Be confident with your style. m33-34 is being rushed by saxes. The last note of m.37 is being cut off short.
M40! this is TA not DA! and its often played not together. If you need to help on this ask me!! I will be happy to help you!
Allegro section: the notes in measure 55, 56, 66, and 67 are to be played the same, the same, the same, short.
Percussion needs to be right on during measures 46-74 (please watch the drum major)
*practice the dynamics in m.59-73. get softer dont stay soft though and come LOUD!
M79!!!! beat four is short--trumpets are sometimes holding it out--gross sounding.
m106-107, cut off on 4
m110-111 is not slur..tongue that and crescendo up to the tied notes in m112.
m116...more clarinet goodness..and crescendo up to m122 which is ff. 123 is p. and there is a crescendo there. 125 is just LOUD! 126-127 is tongued also, not slurred.
There is a hold after this! make that visual snappy!
m131 to the end is big but no playing out ensemble. Front people, make sure you know your two off! crescendo in 160-161
m162 is a fp! Hit it and come down really soft and come back up FFF!
at random spots i hear gross trumpet notes...I would recommend tuning the trumpets during warm up..
Well thats all for now! practice these things and you'll be suprised at state for sure! -make me happy -Mia
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