Renaissance Transcriptions for Band – Part One
Perhaps it is because of the instrument that is near and dear to me (the bassoon), but I absolutely adore listening to, and programming music of the Renaissance with bands! The Renaissance Era (ca. 1400-1600) was the crucible in which music for winds was born, beginning with the consort principle of instrumental families, and culminating […]
Our Country Needs What We Have (And They Need It Now)
Newtown. Las Vegas. Pittsburgh. Orlando. These cities (and many more) have become ground zero for random acts of violence against our own citizens. These tragic events now follow an all too familiar pattern: talking heads on the news trying to make sense of the violence and assess blame to both sides of the political spectrum, […]
Guide to Score Study for the Wind Band Conductor – Frank Battisti and Robert Garofalo
The process of score study, interpretation, and internalization of a work of art is a life long journey for all of us as music educators. These skills are paramount for rigorously selecting repertoire for ourselves and our students, as well as plumbing the depths of each work in search of the “implied meaning in the […]
“Forgotten Friends” – Part One
It is an exciting time to be a band director! We are in the midst of the greatest expansion of our repertoire since the 1950’s when the foundational works of our medium were being written by Vincent Persichetti, William Schuman, Norman Dello Joio, and a host of others. Additionally, the number of high quality works […]
Forgotten Friends – Part Two
Greetings from snowy Indiana, PA! I hope this finds all of you relaxed and refreshed after a joyous holiday season. Let’s dig in to some great pieces for band! Robert Starer (1924-2001) Robert Starter belongs to a group of composers that created a large body of orchestral works that were regularly performed by American orchestras […]
Younger Band Repertoire – Some Personal Faves
As a university band director, one of my favorite things is to work with middle school bands as a guest conductor and clinician. I love the energy and passion of the students, and it brings me back to my own beginnings as a budding bass clarinet player many years ago. I can still remember what […]
Sibling Rivalry
Greetings from Indiana, PA! It is my honor to have been selected as Band Content Area Chair for PMEA. This organization has been incredibly important to me personally, as well as professionally, over the past 30 years. Undoubtedly, I would not have made music my career if not for the inspiring and life changing opportunities […]