3/18/11 - Reflections

The readings for this week focused on one of my favorite parts of a music educator's life: Repertoire! I always wanted to get into this profession because of the richness, quantity, and quality of music that exists in the world. Especially in the wind ensemble medium, there is so much variety of music to choose from that the possibilities are almost endless. There is always the "March" music from composers like Sousa, King, and Fillmore. Then you have the vast array of orchestral transcriptions which have always played an important role in the concert hall. Always important are those "staples" for band that have stood the test of time. I think of pieces like "The Holst Suites in Eb and F" as a prime example of this. Most band directors want to keep their audiences entertained by presenting them with some "lighter" selections, which might include works from popular and jazz styles. And last of all and probably my favorite, the vast exploration of all the new music that exists! If the 19th and 20th Century primarily belonged to the orchestra, then the 21st Century will be built upon creations for the band.

There is nothing greater than getting to conduct a band today, because the possibilities are so endless. By the same token, there has never been a greater time to be a composer for the wind ensemble medium. By and large, the wind ensembles are commissioning, playing, and paying more than any orchestra. There is a reason for this. In the United States of America for the last seventy years or so, there has been a great tradition in the public schools for band programs. Despite the economic conditions that we live in today, and all the money being stripped from the arts, there still is a strong tradition for schools to teach instrumental music, and the strongest instrumental music programs in this country are without a doubt the bands. People might not have to like this fact, but it is true. Sort of like the orchestral and choral traditions coming out of Europe, the Americas have one of their strongest musical foundations in the military band. Now, this is not to say that there are no schools with great orchestral or choral programs, but they are fewer compared to bands, and there are additional reasons for this along with military and tradition. Bands and Sports go together like peanut butter and jelly. And because marching and pep bands are so important to the athletic organizations, bands naturally have a solid place in this country and abroad.

I look forward to the opportunity for the first time I get to program music for my first band concert. I look forward to playing music from different styles, time periods, difficulty levels, and from all parts of the world. One of the questions that is often asked is, "Who do you program for?" The Audience? The Students? The Conductor? The School? The Community? I know sometimes band directors have to wear many hats and please a lot of people. Hopefully they will choose music that will challenge the students, and please the audience. But sometimes the best music pleases the students and challenges the audience! Whatever the case may be, it is important to have a variety. It is also important not to over-program. Why would a band director put Lincolnshire Posey and Music for Prague on the same concert? That would be like an orchestra programming two Mahler symphonies for the same night. The reverse is also true. As music educators, we must challenge our students to play more music than we think they can. The idea is to get a balance, where most students will be able to experience the "flow" sensation.