Fall Concerts

Hey students and parents. I really enjoyed the concerts this past month. I was very proud of the kids in their improvement these past couple months. I always say that we should record the first rehearsal of the school year and then listen to it after the concert to see just how much better we have become.

Here are a few comments I have regarding both concerts:

6th grade:
Gallant March and Champions went really well. I was especially happy with the percussion on Champions given how hard that snare drum part is and you never got to practice together as combined bands.

Fury was the highlight of the evening. That was our hardest piece and you pulled it off with flying colors. Way to go!

Mystic Journey had that interesting error by the trumpet section coming in four measures early. That never happened to us in rehearsal. Great contrast of soft and loud sections though. Dillon, great baritone note!

Dynamite was very fun. Great job dancers!

You were well-dressed, well-behaved and acted very professionally. Very nice!

8th grade:
A-Plus was very funny. Great marching percussion/flag entrance. Your mistakes were perfect!

Sing Sing Sing was the best song of the evening. All-around great playing. Good choreography brass. Great dancing Alyssa and Katie.

Monmouth Overture had a wonderful opening passage flutes and Ajay. Very nice playing all around except for the trumpets being a measure ahead for about 16 measures near the beginning.

Wicked was well-played but lacked energy. The lack of dynamics and articulations made it seem like it went on and on and on. We need to work on balance as well. There were times the melody was covered up. More practice at home ladies and gentlemen!

Hits also lacked energy at times. I felt like we started to wear out. Again, more practice at home will lead to greater endurance. There were some very nice moments though.

I loved all the transitional material. Kalley and Alyssa sounded wonderful on that out-of-tune piano. Maddie, you make a good Dorothy. And, Dr. W. "in the house".

Nicely dressed and you acted professionally. Great effort as well. Let's work on practicing more at home!!!!

Would love to hear your comments.

Winter Concert

Really enjoyed the concert this past Tuesday night. Great job by the bands. Musically, very well done. The 8th grade band is playing with feeling and accuracy. The 6th grade band is playing with power and excitement. Sorry about the parking and seating issues. We'll work on that for next time. Good skits. Everyone dressed up nicely.

MMEA

Just had a blast at MMEA. Here were my ten favorite moments in chronological order:

Kev Mills, Zach Miller and other staff from North Central College presenting on jazz improvisation.

The UW-Eau Claire BASSically BRASS ensemble.

A session on technology in the music classroom.

Dinner with Barry Fox.

The Chaska High School Band performing with the Dallas Brass.

Scott Prescott and Tricia Stolz's session on their Composer of the Month program.

Trevor Fladwood directing the Wayzata Middle School Band.

The Dallas Brass presenting on showmanship.

Dinner at Brit's with many Eau Claire alumni.

Getting to see many friends and colleagues and learning a wealth of ideas from each other.

What a great conference. Too bad it's over. Now it's time to implement all of this stuff though!

Minnesota Orchestra

Give me your feedback on the Minnesota Orchestra concert last Thursday.