Banddirector.com Discussion Board Feed

Aluphone

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:46:31 +0000

The Aluphone is a new instrument that’s bringing a fresh distinctive sound to Drum Corps this season. Its unique appearance replicates that of a bell. Made from aluminum, it can withstand all weather conditions, making it perfect for outdoor performance.

Brought to you by Marching USA, we are the sole distributors of Aluphone in the United States. Already using the Aluphone this season are: the Cavaliers, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Knights and the Glassmen. To view the full Aluphone product range visit http://www.marchingusa.com/aluphone.html, or watch a video of the creator, Kai Stensgaard, showing you the instrument at PASIC 2011, You can contact us at info@marchingusa.com.

what percentage of student population should be in band?

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:38:44 +0000

I am in an econimically challenged, inner city school with no music library and only 4 school owned instruments.
what percentage of my student body should I expect in participate in band? \
(yes i know... as many as possilbe, i do beg borrow and steal equipment...but just wondering what the realisitc picture is in other inner city schools)

this school has had 3 different band directors in 3 years. how patient should i be in developing this program?

Practice Charts

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:11:46 +0000

I'm starting a project about practice charts. Do you use them or not, how much do you require, if you don't use them what to you use instead. Or if you know of any articles or research about this topic let me know. Thanks

Props for sale

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:52:48 +0000

I have 8 LARGE jail bar props for sale. They are 9-10' tall and 15' wide. They are great for minimizing the field. Easily maneuverable on the field. Asking $700 for the lot. Atlanta area

Please contact corey.newton@carrollcountyschools.com if interested. Pics available

Summer Private Trombone Lessons

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:04:53 +0000

Directors,

The Slide Studio is accepting students for trombone lesson this summer. For new students, I'm offfering the first 30 minute lesson free!

Lessons are taught online via Skype. Students will need access to a computer, high speed internet connection, webcam/microphone, and have a Skype account.

If you are unsure about the online lesson format, I can tell you I've had solid results from my students who have participated online.
Students work on the same material and recieve the same instruction regarding tone quality, proper technique, and musicianship as my in person lessons.

For more information and rates, please visit my website: http://www.theslidestudio.musicteachershelper.com

Please email me with any questions. theslidestudio@gmail.com

Band directing is a dream of mine.

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:04:37 +0000

I'm only a sophomore in high school, just finishing up my second marching season in about thirty minutes, but my dream is to become a band director. Cliche for a band kid right? It's something that I would be so happy doing, since band is my favorite thing in the world. It's not the fact that I can't or it's impossible because

Marching drill/music for your 2012 marching season?

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:01:44 +0000

Hello!

First off, I'd like to say that our prices our unbeatable. If you find someone with a lower price, we will match them and add a 10% discount.

Precision Marching Design takes the focus off of show design, and puts your focus on what you do best, teaching. That's why we provide affordable, innovative, and easy to teach shows that provide the support you need, whether it's creative expertise or a comprehensive show package with a customized show just for you. By letting the director focus on execution rather than show design, we find that directors find it easier to teach our shows, which in turn makes their groups much more successful. Our staff comes from backgrounds of top 12 drum corps, BLAST! production education, and excellent high school groups. DON'T ACCEPT LESS!

If your interested in having Precision Marching Design as your drill designer and/or music arranger, please feel free to visit our website at www.precisionmarchingdesign.com and fill out the order form and we will get back with you as soon as possible.

Warm-up Pieces in the Competitions

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:16:30 +0000

Good Morning,
What do you think about the of the Warm-up Pieces in the competitions?

I live in Italy, my Band plays music Grade 3, 3.5...
What do you recommend as warm-up piece on stage?
I believe that playing a March can help them to be less agitated, less tense...
But maybe if we play a Chorale we have more advantages in terms of intonation.

I would like to hear your point of view, thank you very much!

Salute from Italy!

Warm-up Piece

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:14:58 +0000

Flute Feature

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:36:12 +0000

My flute section is very talented, but my clarinets are suffering. I have two total so my wind sound is incomplete. The band has 8 weeks before their next performance. I need one more piece. Anyone have a good flute feature for concert band rated M or below? Remember, clarinets need not to be emphasized in the piece. Thanks.

Big Jazz Band Arrangement Tunes I Do Not Know

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:07:20 +0000

Hello,

I have had a big jazz band arrangement excerpt on my ipod for the longest time and have never been able to identify the tunes. I either want the exact arrangement or the separate tunes from other music stores. There are three tunes in the excerpt I am mentioning, and I only know one of them: Basin St Blues. Here is the piece:

http://www.box.com/s...sdd1b6nc08f70n4

Do any of you know the names of the first two pieces?

Questions about Being a Band Director

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:56:57 +0000

I'm currently a university student from a different country, majoring in something that has clearly nothing to do with music.
But I spent my teenage years back in the US, and I participated in Concert Band, Jazz Band, and a couple months of Marching band.
For now, I'm studying something I feel I should learn, but I honestly can't say this is what I want to do for the rest of my life...

Enough about my background, I just wanted to ask a couple of questions... please help me out if you don't mind.....
What if I wanted to become a band director? I still play my instruments at times, but I'm really not as good as I used to be. And I'm also going to have to finish college before I move anywhere else. But once I get it all done, I'm willing to move into US and and do whatever it takes..... even if it means more studying.
Do you think the idea is too impractical or unreal? Is there anyone who started off a bit later than everyone else....? or could I get some tips to keep me moving before I actually jump into this whole music education stuff?

Thank you so much for reading this...... and one short comment of yours could change my life (:

Recruiting in a Magnet system

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:09:11 +0000

Hey, all.
I am an experienced band/orchestra director in a new school, a science-technology-engineering-math magnet school. There are six other high schools in the district, one of which is a fine arts magnet. Because we're a magnet school, we pull students from all over the city for our focus programs, the district has set policies that make recruiting difficult: I cannot visit any of the 11 middle schools except the three "pathway" school (that is, the magnet middle schools with programs that lead into our school's magnet program), and, because we are not the fine arts magnet, I cannot actively recruit for the music department (I cannot even say to any middle school student "You should come play in the band at our school."). I'm really only limited to finding out what middle school students have chosen our school and get them into the band. As you can probably imagine, this makes things difficult for me to put together a new, exciting, and successful plan for growth in numbers and abilities.
I am trying to find articles that might address this issue. I have already read the articles that discuss good recruitment practices and have put many into effect, but this new district makes it near impossible to do any of these.
Thoughts, ideas, articles I should read? Thanks!

Big Jazz Band Arrangement Tunes I Do Not Know

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:20:00 +0000

Alto Sax model opinion sought

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:43:59 +0000

I am in the process of getting bids for new alto saxes. What are your opinions on the Selmer 62 III and the new P.Mauriat PMXT67RGL vintage series?

Numbers cut in HALF?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:18:47 +0000

In my area, I have seen way too many thriving programs cut in HALF because of scheduling problems. It's a very sad state of affairs. A lot of the problem is in the beginning band numbers where there are usually 100 beginners, there are going to be 50 next year. Anyone else have that problem? Any solutions????

Name That Tune (help me identify music!)

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:23:18 +0000

I've recently re-discovered a bunch of live concert and jazz band recordings from my high school band days. I'm trying to identify some of the music, so I can look for professional recordings. I'm hoping the experience and knowledge from this crowd can help me out!

They have been posted here:
http://www.darrylyust.com/NameThatTune

If you know the composer or title for any of these, please respond here or email me at DarrylsNameThatTune@hotmail.com. I'll update the Answers.txt file as tunes are identified.

Thanks!
-Darryl

custom percussion arranger

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:37:56 +0000

Hello,

My name is Dustin Ingram and I am offering my services as a percussion arranger. I am currently a music education student, and I have drum corps and indoor drumline experence. I do customized percussion arranging for any level or any instrumentation for under $250.00 This includes a full batterie and front ensemble score (including stick and mallet selctions), front ensemble set up guide, technique warmups that will help with the music in the show, and a detailed director score that includes possible problems you might face and solutions. I will also make any changes you may need during the season.

To find out more information or to see a more detailed resume or for sample works e mail me at velocitytimpani@aol.com

I also do indoor drumline arranging as well.

Warmest regards,
Dustin Ingram

Jazz materials for Jr. High

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:21:39 +0000

I will be starting a new position as a first year teacher this fall. Not only is it my first year, but this is a brand new school. I am having to order everything (which has its benefits). I am looking for any recommendations on Jazz method books/literature for the 7th/8th grade level. I do not know their playing abilities yet, so it makes it more difficult. Thank you

Retention

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:34:56 +0000

We are doing some research on retention and trying to compare our stats. With that I am sending out emails to schools approx. our size with a few questions. If you could respond with percentages that would be great.

1) How many fifth grade students do you start(average) and what is the average class size?
2) How many return for sixth grade?
3) How many return for seventh grade?
4) How many return for eighth grade?
5) Do you have a drop policy? For example, can drop at semester.
6) Do students and parents sign a form every spring indicating which classes they would like their kids to take the following year including band and choir?

Thank you so much for your valuable information!