Mixed Meter - Thinking beyond "four". - Music Critique

Aerosmith and Run DMC - Walk This Way

We start with this one to get a good solid four-beat-per-measure, four-measure-per-phrase, four-phrase-per-theme feel into our heads.  This music does pretty much what we expect of it metrically.

William van Twillert (organ) - Bach, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"

3 + 3 + 3

The Los Angeles Philharmonic - Bernstien "Chichester Psalms" 1) Ps. 100 & 139

2 + 2 + 3

Dave Brubeck - "Take Five"

3 + 2

Dave Brubeck - "Blue Rondo a la Turk"

2 + 2 + 2 + 3

Rush - "YYZ"

2-2-1-2 / 2-2-1-2 / 2-2-1-1

_ _ . _ / _ _ . _ / _ _ . . 

Rush - "Limelight"

Several different patterns using 3, 4, or a combination

Sting - "Love is Stronger than Justice"

2 + 2 + 3 (verse), 4 (chorus)

West El. Update, 5/21/14

I was very pleased with how things went on Monday.  I am very proud of the start this little band got this year, and am very much looking forward to continuing the growth.

This concludes our performances for the year.  As we grow and develop the program, I feel certain that there will be a few more opportunities next year to get out in front of people and play.  This goes for both those moving on the the middle schools, and for those continuing in the West El. Band.

Band class for the rest of the year will be about finishing up Book 1, which we are well on the way to doing.  This morning the folks who came did nice work on Page 34.  I realize there may have been some confusion about band continuing past the concert, but I'm there, and we're still working!  For next week, we are looking at page 35, and if that goes smoothly, go ahead and look at page 36, which by the way is the last page in the book with assigned exercises.  

With regards to next year:  The day of the week is still pending, in hopes of avoiding the student council conflict, but experienced band students will meet a bit earlier next year, from 7:30-8:10.  This will make time for a separate beginning band time after that (8:10-8:50), and allow the experienced kids to continue progressing where they left off last year, rather than start back again at whole notes. I am excited for all of the growth towards which I believe we are headed!

West and Wood Hill Middle School Concert Information!

As you may well know by now, we, the Wood Hill and West Bands discussed and decided that we would like to perform in the Spring Concerts this year as one band, which means two evening performances.

The Winter Concerts in January were very much a success, and it was gratifying to see the two schools were able to perform on their own as separate bands.  The combined bands however will give us an opportunity to play some more intricate literature with an instrumentation in which each school compliment each other nicely.

Those performances are:

Wednesday, June 4, 7:00PM, Wood Hill Middle School (report to the band room at 6:30)

Thursday, June 5,  7:00PM, West Middle School (report to the auditorium at 6:30)

There will be in school performances, and we are currently navigating around a couple of other events and have yet to determine exactly when those will be.  Students will be bussed to the other school for each others' assemblies. A follow up e-mail will come with that information, and a permission slip, will come next week.

Sanborn Update, 5/19/14

Monday went very well, and I am optimistic that we will have a very gratifying performance on May 3.  Hope Luke is OK!

We will be performing:

"Sakura" (page 31, # 135)

"Chorale" (page 33, # 144)

"Grandfather's Whiskers" (page 31, # 136)

Next week, would it be possible, in light of the upcoming concert and the missed rehearsal on Memorial Day, to come to a Wednesday morning rehearsal instead (5/28)?  Let me know if this is a problem!

South Update, 5/16/14

Good work this morning,

Reminder that our concert is coming soon!  Thursday, May 29!  There will be a performance during the day for the school, and then the evening concert at 7:00, for which the students should arrive at 6:30.  The dress is the same black that they wore for All Bands Night in March.

We will be performing:

"Sakura" (page 31, # 135)

"Chorale" (page 33, # 144)

"Manhattan Beach March" (page 32, # 139)

"Grandfather's Whiskers" (page 31, # 136)

Be sure to have them work on these for next week!  It will be our final rehearsal before the concert!

Bancroft Update, 5/15/14

Sorry to have missed yesterday.  I'm recovering little by little.  Thank you for understanding!

Reminder:  Our concert is on Wednesday, June 11, at 7:00PM.  We will meet at 6:30, and be dressed in concert black, just like for All-Bands Night.

We will be performing:

"Sakura" (page 31, # 135)

"Chorale" (page 33, # 144)

"Grandfather's Whiskers" (page 31, # 136)

Keep working on these for next Thursday!

All the best,

Joe Wright

Bancroft Band

West El. Update, 5/14/14

Hello!

So sorry to have missed Wednesday's rehearsal.  The band was in wonderfully capable hands, and Ms. Hofius reported back to me that the band is ready to go!

CONCERT DAY, Monday, May 19

The kids will perform for the school in a 1:00pm assembly.  They should be dressed in concert black (just like All Bands Night in March).

They should be in the same great outfits when they arrive at 6:30 for the 7:00 concert at West El.  

We will be performing:

"Sakura" (page 31, # 135)

"Chorale" (page 33, # 144)

"Grandfather's Whiskers" (page 31, # 136)

Let me know if you have any questions!

Sanborn Update, 5/12/14

Reminder:  Our concert is on Tuesday, June 3, at 7:00PM.  We will meet at 6:30, and be dressed in concert black, just like for All-Bands Night.  There will be a performance during the school day for which the students must also be dressed in black!

We will be performing:

"Sakura" (page 31, # 135)

"Chorale" (page 33, # 144)

"Grandfather's Whiskers" (page 31, # 136)

Keep working on these for Monday!

All the best,

Joe Wright

Bancroft Band

South Update, 5/2/14

Great work on Page 31.  I asked them to look at 2 pages this week, 32 and 33.  I don't think it will be much of a problem for them.  We will nail down or repertoire for the June 3rd concert when we meet this Friday.

For your planning purposes.  June 20th will be our last band meeting, and soon to come will be details on band for next year, both for those moving on to a middle school, or those continuing at South.  

Bancroft Update, 5/1/14

Very good work this week on page 29.  We move on to page 31.  I asked the band to have a look at 30, but the the assignment is page 31, and "Sakura" will most likely be one of the pieces programmed in our June 11 concert!  We will discuss the rest of the program on Thursday.

West El. Update, 4/30/14

Playing a lot of catch up lately.  I will try to get back on pace this week!

Great work on Page 31.  I asked them to look at 2 pages this week, 32 and 33.  I don't think it will be much of a problem for them.  We will nail down or repertoire for the May 19th concert on Wednesday.

For your planning purposes.  June 18th will be our last band meeting, and soon to come will be details on band for next year, both for those moving on to a middle school, or those continuing at West El.