(This pertains to AHS, but I couldn't figure out how to put in the AHS forum)

Hi, this is what we're playing in my campus band and some of is it's pretty easy (grade 2s even), so give it a listen at jwpepper.com.

Hands Across the Sea - John Philip Sousa (arr. Briion/Schissel)
Joy Revisited - Frank Ticheli
Appalachian Morning - Robert Sheldon
Bandancing - Jack Stamp
Dedicatory Overture - Clifton Williams (wow, what a coincidence, I believe AHS even has this in their library, and a certain graduate often asked to sight-read this piece. Hmmm)

Well, post what you think of them and maybe you guys could play some of it. Or maybe at All-Shore even.

That's a nice selection of music. I bet Bandancing is a beast! At Salisbury University, we played Jack Stamp's "Four Maryland Songs". Appalachian Morning is really pretty too. I'm glad you're finally getting to play Dedicatory Overture again! We may actually have the instrumentation to pull it off this year.

Keep us updated!

Ya, our concert is on Saturday. Unfortunately, Bandancing was cut because we never got it down right. It was a really cool piece too. Everything sounds really good though. If there's a recording of some sort, I'll bring it in.

mr. matthews got nervous about the dedicatory overture with us. but he is gettin the clarinets to play something kline nachtmusik. not a very pretty piece of music. it's cool though but needs a lot of work.

*gasps* Not a pretty piece of music? Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is an awesome piece of music! Look it up on youtube.

So, how did the concert go?

The concert was awesome. My mom said that she liked the Campus band better than the wind ensemble, but that's just because we were easier to listen to. We had a bigger sound and we played really likable songs that weren't to terribly long. The wind ensemble was really long and even had a 20 minute piece! Technically, they were way better with much more challenging pieces, but that's not always what an audience wants to hear. I finally understand what you've been saying all along.

A professor of mine once put it this way. Most of the time we perform for our audiences, but sometimes we have to perform for ourselves. Meaning some of the most interesting pieces to play might not necessarily be the easiest for the audience to relate to.

I'm glad it went well! Does your band have a web page?

Okay, I have my new band music for the new ensemble I'm in. The Symphonic Band.

Flourish for Wind Band - R. Vaughan Williams
Puszta - Jan Van der Roost
As Torrents in Summer - Edward Elgar (I think this is just going to be warm-up)
Cheerio (Sing and Whistle) March - Edwin Franko Goldman (sound familiar?)

I find it quite fascinating how I keep playing the same songs again. They must be popular for bands. Puszta sounds extremely good and very cool.

Awesome! I love Cheerio March...it's a real crowd pleaser. I believe I've played the Vaughan Williams piece before too.

So, how does this ensemble compare to the last one you were in?

I guess they sound pretty similar. The other band sounded fuller and less precise I guess, but we were playing easier music. I think the size is a big difference. There are 11 clarinets as apposed to the 20 or so from last semester. I'm playing third parts though, so for me the music isn't that hard. It's a nice change I think. I hardly ever play third parts. Now I have something to work toward for other semesters.

Okay, the first concert music was pretty easy, but our new music is pretty difficult. Check it out.

Warm up: Ye Banks and Braes O'Bonnie Doon - Grainger
Bandancing - Jack Stamp
Marche Slave - Tschaikowsky
Hands of Mercy - Julie Giroux
Lauds - ROn Nelson