Some Good Stuff
I have to say some really good stuff is going on in the band lately. As for marching band, we are cleaning up and continue to get better. This is great. This is why I always chose difficult shows. We don't need to add anything or change anything. We just need to keep getting better and we are. The guard continues to grow as well. Just wait until you see us at West Oak and then State.
I have to say the I really had fun in Symphonic Winds today too. We played a great piece by Alfred Reed named "The Hounds of Spring". It is one of my favorites and we just may take it to festival this year. It really made me feel good to see the kids excited about concert band. Just wait, I have more great pieces. We got all the way through it...the right way. I taught, they counted, and we made music together. No "it goes like this" any more. Just music.
I am getting pretty geared up for the weekend. I know we are really getting things together. Win or not, this weekend will be ours. As for state, just wait!
posted by Jon Brady at 7:36 PM
6 Comments:
"No 'it goes like this' any more."
This sounds like rote teaching. Rote teaching is bad.
It's great to hear excitement for band. It's really starting to get me fired up about getting out there and teaching next year. I like college band but there's just something different about high school that I miss, especially with high school marching band. For those of you who may be reading this post, stick with Mr. Brady. He knows his stuff, and that "stuff" doesn't just come out of the air. This is what he loves to do, but somehow I think that is obvious. Perform well at state, too. I'm hoping I get to see the performance.
James,
You should come out and see us sometime. I would love for you to meet the band.
Brady
omg. yea band is the best. idk about concert band though. i hated the new music u gave us today though. i dont know wat it was about it mabey the fact that i couldnt read it personally and it defeated me. i felt bad after that peice. i dont at all get 6/8 time. but thats y im glad we have you mr.brady. im going to take this band thing i do someplace because of you. i want a schloroship and everything and i think you are the person 2 wake me up and stuff. thanx alot!
When we were sight reading "The Hounds of Spring" in class, true, I struggled with it. But the struggle wasn't as demoralizing as the last time I tried to sight read something. And 6/8 time is a challenge, but at least it no longer connotes some hulking monster.
Tomorrow's a B day, my favorite type of day. Yayz, band! =D
Gabby and Amanda,
Take it from me, 6/8 time and any compound or mixed meter is only accomplished through having a consistent and sensible counting system. I still use the counting system that Mr. Brady taught, and seeing and hearing all the different counting systems that even music majors use, this system is far superior and more practical. Practice it and love it and you'll become a monster at tackling hard rhythms even in compound time.
As for "The Hounds of Spring," this piece may be taxing and difficult, but it is such a great piece of music. Its standard band literature wherever you go. My advice is, after you've had a chance to read through it, go listen to a recording. You'll get much more meaning out of it and that will allow you to appreciate what you're playing more. (just a little two cents)
P.S. Mr. Brady, I promise you that I really have tried to make it out to something this entire season, but there has always been something it seems... Working 20 hours a week and taking 19 hours this semester in time to student teach doesn't leave me with much free time. HOWEVER, I have purposefully asked off the day of state so I can come watch the final "hoo-rah." I love the show. I listened to the music when you put it on the website, was impressed, and knowing you and drill, I knew that if it could be pulled off, it was going to be something. I look forward to seeing that something next Saturday. (Next to last ain't too shabby, worked out well for the old alma mater this year.)
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