Why Bach?

The band has had two concert setting performances during the past two weeks. One was our Winter Concert in which the Symphonic Band, the Wind Ensemble, and the Percussion Ensemble each performed. We did holiday music like O Holy Night, I'll Be Home For Christmas, and Cambridge Carol...all except for one piece. The Wind Ensemble also performed Prelude and Fugue in G Minor by J.S. Bach. We also performed this work for the entire student body at the annual winter arts assembly. The question that was asked of me by some was "Why play that Bach piece? It isn't Christmas music." Well the answer is simple. The answer is because it is Bach. The entertainment that my groups produce is a secondary result of the most important thing I do. That is music education. I teach music and I teach expression. In today's world all you have to do is watch the news to see people expressing themselves in unhealthy and unproductive manners. I give my students and audiences a chance to perform and experience something expressively. We don't just play the notes and rhythms. We listen to not only the lines we are playing but to all and we play the things that are not on the page. Thursday was the last day I saw my Wind Ensemble before our break and I thought maybe we will just take a break from playing, but then I thought "I don't want to not play today. Maybe they want to play too." So we did. I passed out a rather technically easy composition A Shaker Gift Song by Frank Ticheli. What happened was not only impressive but also artful. Much as the students had to listen into the ensemble to perform the above mentioned Bach, they listened in on this work too. Gone was the concern with just playing notes and rhythms. Music was created and it was created the first time. It was not just a lesson in sightreading. It was expression and art. I don't know what was happening at that in the rest of school or community but I do know for a moment we were creating art and expressing ourselves for the greatest reward. It was not a marching band trophy or a chance to gain applause. It was art for arts sake. So why the Bach? Why play it at the winter assembly for the entire student body? Well, they hear Christmas and Holiday music everywhere. In the mall, in the car, on TV, but I bet they don't get to hear Bach too much on their own so it was a chance for us to educate them too. That's why the Bach!

Exam Time!

"What? We have an exam for band!" Yep, you bet you do! Many band directors just use the Winter concert as the exam for band. Of course my students do get a grade for performances such as concert but I also give a legitimate playing exam. My students are required to play the region/all state solo for their level and play the appropriate scale for their level too. They have to fill out an exam sheet and play all this for me individually. They are scored as to whether the scales are correct and they are scored on correct notes and rhythms, tone, and expression on the etude. Some may say this is a bit much for an "elective" class. ( Most of you know how I feel about that though. It is kind of like "electing" to be human...but any way...) At first, I did this exam so I could help my students that were auditioning for region/all state band but now it has turned into something more. It gives the students skills they can actually use in my class. It also gives them something structured in which to practice. One thing is for sure too, there are no "give me's" in the world so working towards and obtaining a goal is just a good practice for any student.

Imagine

I am not big into hero worship as I feel for the most part I make my own luck and living vicariously though others such as sport figures, movie stars, and other celebrities actually does very little for me other than the entertainment factor it offers in the form of an escape from reality. But there are a few individuals that I feel are a bit different. John Lennon was one of those such people for me. I like the Beatles and like many of their songs but for me their true voice was and still is John's. I vaguely remember the night he died. I have been a Miami Dolphins fan for as long I can remember and they were on Monday night football that night. I really didn't exactly what John Lennon was about at that point in my life but my mom sure did. She was very sad by the announcement of his death on that Monday night 30 years ago. So today I remember him not so much for his music but for his ideas. Take time to find out a bit more about him if you don't already know.

"If being an egomaniac means I believe in what I do and in my art or music, then in that respect you can call me that... I believe in what I do, and I'll say it."

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one."

Happiness is...

There are still somethings that make you happy that you just can't buy. This is about 6 pounder from this morning.