Hey everybody! Great job at practice last night. We continued with some great work on Nostalgia in Times Square, Sing Sing Sing, and Rhythm Of Our World. The latter is the toughest piece we have that we're working on at the moment, with the exception being that we will be diving back into The First Circle and cleaning that one up until it's absolutely solid - another big task.
So, while you're practicing this week, make sure you focus on Rhythm. We will probably go back to Theme from Sesame Street next week two, so it's definitely something to look through at some point.
Again, there is no performance on Thursday, so unless you're playing elsewhere (which it is known that some of you are) or are playing the Summer Band Concert Series in Doylestown, have a happy time focusing on a few charts. And remember, as to active rehearsing, In the Stone, Samba Ti Kaye and Ride the Wind are now on the retired list - we may bring them out again if we have long performances and need more pieces that we know, but they're not the ones to concentrate on right now.
Who knows if The First Circle and Malaguena will ever be retired. It doesn't seem like that... they're just.... beyond it...
Have a good week, and see you at the next practice! :)
Showing posts with label Ride the Wind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ride the Wind. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Practice Recap, No Performance on Saturday, Practice Monday...
Okay, so three quick messages to update on the blog. The first is a thanks to everyone at practice on Monday - I know it was the very end of a holiday weekend that spilled over into Monday with some people having a day of rest and others with workplaces still open - at any rate, we got a lot of positive work done. As of Friday night, practice had still been up in the air, which is why messages were sent out as to availability for Monday. Since a majority of the band could rehearse, we did. If you couldn't be there Monday, that's fine, and I hope everyone had a lovely holiday weekend.
Also, there will be no performance on Saturday as we are still light on players and personally my work schedule does not allow for it, with a third of my work's staff out on vacation, etc. Thank you all for you willingness to come out and do it to those that could, but we will just have to plan ahead for the next performance.
We will have practice on Monday when we will continue work on the Sandoval, Nostalgia and Sesame Street. We laid some of the foundations for work on these pieces on Monday, and we will continue to do so as we start to "shelve" some of the pieces we've been playing for a while, like Ride the Wind and Samba Ti Kaye.
Also, there will be no performance on Saturday as we are still light on players and personally my work schedule does not allow for it, with a third of my work's staff out on vacation, etc. Thank you all for you willingness to come out and do it to those that could, but we will just have to plan ahead for the next performance.
We will have practice on Monday when we will continue work on the Sandoval, Nostalgia and Sesame Street. We laid some of the foundations for work on these pieces on Monday, and we will continue to do so as we start to "shelve" some of the pieces we've been playing for a while, like Ride the Wind and Samba Ti Kaye.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Performance Details: First Friday: 2 July 2010
Alright everyone, here's the informational post with event details for First Friday in Doylestown. Please make sure you read this post carefully, and if anyone has any questions, you know how to reach the band leaders.
1. As stated at rehearsals, First Fridays, especially in the summer, are extremely busy. Not only is there live music in (now) up to three different venues, but businesses do special deals/promotions, etc. in anticipation of the public turnout, and small business (some home-run) put up tables in the central square to sell small arts and crafts. Due to the popularity of the event, it is known that in past years the idea has circulated about blocking off the streets. That being said, the streets were not blocked off in June, and don't expect them to be blocked off on Friday the 2nd.
This information means that if you are driving into Doylestown right before call time at 7:30 (and yes, call time remains 7:30), do not expect to find parking in the immediate vicinity of the performance area; if you do, you're just "lucking out." Furthermore, if you arrive in town at 7, when the events are underway, expect many pedestrians at all crosswalks and many more crossing the street wherever they may feel the need. This will also block up traffic, but for precaution's sake, take extra care driving around the center of town.
If you are parking a few blocks away (I'd recommend Harvey Ave., Oakland Ave., or if you're running late, the parking garage by the Court House. It's more of a hike, but it's a guaranteed spot.) There is a parking lot behind Starbucks - it's closed off when the events start. There is parking lot behind the Doylestown Bookshop/Madame Butterfly's - it's now a performance area and also closed off. Also, when walking around town, please be aware of when you are crossing the streets, as aggravated driver's trying to get through town in the maze of First Friday activities, may be extra aggressive. I know this, as I was almost run down last month at First Friday when crossing on the correct signal and in the crosswalk. Again, exercise caution. It's a lot of people in a smaller area.
2. When you arrive, you may store any personal belongings and instrument cases in Class Harlan Real Estate, directly adjacent to the performance area. Class Harlan is graciously allowing us to do this due to connections with the band (Lewis Graham, the trombone player, works there). This is a special advantage we have over all the other performing groups. Class Harlan will be closed, and during the performance, all cases and belonging will be locked up and secure in that building. As soon as they allow, which I believe will be around 6:30 or 7 PM, we will be able to store the instruments and/or warm up and tune.
3. The music organizer for First Friday, Thomas Phillips, has informed us that there is a pa system in place as well as two microphones. Additionally, should there be light rain, there will be a tent set up over the performance area. However, it is not currently expected to rain on Friday, and the forecast is calling for temperatures around 80 degrees.
4. Make sure you stay hydrated. All will be done to provide water bottles during the performance, but make sure you are comfortable before arriving. Dress is the same as usual, but with even more emphasis on comfort. Look at the temperature forecast on Friday and use your best judgment. And if you absolutely don't want to wear black, khakis will be fine.
5. Town will be well lighted - it doesn't get dark until pretty and there's a lot of ambience from the street lights and nearby buildings. However, it can't hurt to have a battery-operated book light on your stand if you want to precaution against getting a shadow on your stand, or what not. These can be easily found at bookstores for cheap, so do what you will.
6. The church is graciously allowing us to use their stands for the performance, so we have twelve there, but if you know that you have had to use your own stand at practices, bring it along. I will have three collapsible stands just in case at the performance. Again, if it's not a pain to bring it, the best advice is just to bring the stand anyway.
7. The rough performance order for pieces (and I know this is what everyone's been waiting for) is the following:
In the Stone
The Incredibles
Ride the Wind
Begin the Beguine
But Beautiful
Samba Ti Kaye
Intersecting Lines
Georgia On My Mind
Malaguena
Georgia On My Mind will be handed out prior to the performance, and I believe we can handle this piece even though we have only played through it about two to three times. But Beautiful is another pretty filler chart that works as a rest point from Begin the Beguine. In the event we need to repeat anything, it will likely be In the Stone. However, I believe these nine charts listed in the order above will easily fill an hour's worth of playing, taking into account the small periods of time between pieces and ones with extended solo sections. Remember that there will now be three solos in Ride the Wind, and two in Intersecting Lines, not to mention the drum solo in that one.
I look foward to seeing everyone on Friday, again, feel free to contact band leaders for additional information you may want, and I believe that this will be a fantastic performance which the audience will love.
Note: The rhythm section has special instructions for setup as equipment is much larger, etc. All who can get into town early to help set up are appreciated. And if there's any downtime, there's always Starbucks ;)
1. As stated at rehearsals, First Fridays, especially in the summer, are extremely busy. Not only is there live music in (now) up to three different venues, but businesses do special deals/promotions, etc. in anticipation of the public turnout, and small business (some home-run) put up tables in the central square to sell small arts and crafts. Due to the popularity of the event, it is known that in past years the idea has circulated about blocking off the streets. That being said, the streets were not blocked off in June, and don't expect them to be blocked off on Friday the 2nd.
This information means that if you are driving into Doylestown right before call time at 7:30 (and yes, call time remains 7:30), do not expect to find parking in the immediate vicinity of the performance area; if you do, you're just "lucking out." Furthermore, if you arrive in town at 7, when the events are underway, expect many pedestrians at all crosswalks and many more crossing the street wherever they may feel the need. This will also block up traffic, but for precaution's sake, take extra care driving around the center of town.
If you are parking a few blocks away (I'd recommend Harvey Ave., Oakland Ave., or if you're running late, the parking garage by the Court House. It's more of a hike, but it's a guaranteed spot.) There is a parking lot behind Starbucks - it's closed off when the events start. There is parking lot behind the Doylestown Bookshop/Madame Butterfly's - it's now a performance area and also closed off. Also, when walking around town, please be aware of when you are crossing the streets, as aggravated driver's trying to get through town in the maze of First Friday activities, may be extra aggressive. I know this, as I was almost run down last month at First Friday when crossing on the correct signal and in the crosswalk. Again, exercise caution. It's a lot of people in a smaller area.
2. When you arrive, you may store any personal belongings and instrument cases in Class Harlan Real Estate, directly adjacent to the performance area. Class Harlan is graciously allowing us to do this due to connections with the band (Lewis Graham, the trombone player, works there). This is a special advantage we have over all the other performing groups. Class Harlan will be closed, and during the performance, all cases and belonging will be locked up and secure in that building. As soon as they allow, which I believe will be around 6:30 or 7 PM, we will be able to store the instruments and/or warm up and tune.
3. The music organizer for First Friday, Thomas Phillips, has informed us that there is a pa system in place as well as two microphones. Additionally, should there be light rain, there will be a tent set up over the performance area. However, it is not currently expected to rain on Friday, and the forecast is calling for temperatures around 80 degrees.
4. Make sure you stay hydrated. All will be done to provide water bottles during the performance, but make sure you are comfortable before arriving. Dress is the same as usual, but with even more emphasis on comfort. Look at the temperature forecast on Friday and use your best judgment. And if you absolutely don't want to wear black, khakis will be fine.
5. Town will be well lighted - it doesn't get dark until pretty and there's a lot of ambience from the street lights and nearby buildings. However, it can't hurt to have a battery-operated book light on your stand if you want to precaution against getting a shadow on your stand, or what not. These can be easily found at bookstores for cheap, so do what you will.
6. The church is graciously allowing us to use their stands for the performance, so we have twelve there, but if you know that you have had to use your own stand at practices, bring it along. I will have three collapsible stands just in case at the performance. Again, if it's not a pain to bring it, the best advice is just to bring the stand anyway.
7. The rough performance order for pieces (and I know this is what everyone's been waiting for) is the following:
In the Stone
The Incredibles
Ride the Wind
Begin the Beguine
But Beautiful
Samba Ti Kaye
Intersecting Lines
Georgia On My Mind
Malaguena
Georgia On My Mind will be handed out prior to the performance, and I believe we can handle this piece even though we have only played through it about two to three times. But Beautiful is another pretty filler chart that works as a rest point from Begin the Beguine. In the event we need to repeat anything, it will likely be In the Stone. However, I believe these nine charts listed in the order above will easily fill an hour's worth of playing, taking into account the small periods of time between pieces and ones with extended solo sections. Remember that there will now be three solos in Ride the Wind, and two in Intersecting Lines, not to mention the drum solo in that one.
I look foward to seeing everyone on Friday, again, feel free to contact band leaders for additional information you may want, and I believe that this will be a fantastic performance which the audience will love.
Note: The rhythm section has special instructions for setup as equipment is much larger, etc. All who can get into town early to help set up are appreciated. And if there's any downtime, there's always Starbucks ;)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Duck Deli Performance Tomorrow!
Hello everyone. Just some words on what's going on tomorrow:
Call time for all band members who do not play in the Doylestown Heat and/or are not French Horns is 3 PM in back of the parking lot across from the Duck Deli (where many will be parking for the event). That parking lot belongs to an old framing factory, and you should see other cars parked there. We will be quietly warming up, tuning and focusing on "First Circle" (getting our heads in the zone). French horns have a call time of 3:30 and that's the time that we'll make our way across the street (202) to examine the set up, as the Heat will be done at 3:45.
Help the Heat as much as you can in clearing the performance area. I'm not saying that Bill Kuder has a tendency to talk a lot between pieces and go overtime and it may cut into our set up time... but that kind of is what I am saying and let's "help" them get off the performance area as quickly as possible. Chris has informed me that the Duck Deli has about 30 music stands, so we don't need to bring our own (but I'm leaving one in the car anyway), and the rhythm section is taking care of their own equipment, so decisions regarding that is up to Pete and Bill R.
Make sure your system for dealing with page turns and playing outside is in place. The best thing is probably a binder with glare-free sheet protectors, but I know some will want to use plexi-glass or clothespins.
If you're going to eat at the Duck Deli, know that food per person costs no more than $10 (I think it's usually around $6), and that Jazz West plays after us, so you have time to sit back and relax and enjoy the BBQ if you wish afterwards, or you can arrive early (the event starts Saturday at 11 AM) and listen to music to your heart's delight.
Dress is the same as it was at the church - solid colors and black, but be aware that since we're outside and taking into consideration the temperature forecast, just make sure you're comfortable as well. Full suit jackets, etc., are not necessary for this gig if you wore them last time (though you looked snazzy). :) You might want to wear sunscreen, but we should be under a tent while we play. Furthermore if you have guests coming, with the number of people invited, I would recommend having them bring beach chairs or blankets to sit on the grass.
Band members can contact me directly with any individual concerns, but that should be about it. The address of the Duck Deli is
524 East Butler Ave.
New Britain, PA 18901
if you need it. Weather is supposed to be awesome tomorrow, and I'm sure we'll have a great time playing our charts. And finally, the lineup of pieces is, again:
"In the Stone"
"The First Circle"
"Samba Ti Kaye"
"Ride the Wind"
"Malaguena"
Let's have a great time!
Call time for all band members who do not play in the Doylestown Heat and/or are not French Horns is 3 PM in back of the parking lot across from the Duck Deli (where many will be parking for the event). That parking lot belongs to an old framing factory, and you should see other cars parked there. We will be quietly warming up, tuning and focusing on "First Circle" (getting our heads in the zone). French horns have a call time of 3:30 and that's the time that we'll make our way across the street (202) to examine the set up, as the Heat will be done at 3:45.
Help the Heat as much as you can in clearing the performance area. I'm not saying that Bill Kuder has a tendency to talk a lot between pieces and go overtime and it may cut into our set up time... but that kind of is what I am saying and let's "help" them get off the performance area as quickly as possible. Chris has informed me that the Duck Deli has about 30 music stands, so we don't need to bring our own (but I'm leaving one in the car anyway), and the rhythm section is taking care of their own equipment, so decisions regarding that is up to Pete and Bill R.
Make sure your system for dealing with page turns and playing outside is in place. The best thing is probably a binder with glare-free sheet protectors, but I know some will want to use plexi-glass or clothespins.
If you're going to eat at the Duck Deli, know that food per person costs no more than $10 (I think it's usually around $6), and that Jazz West plays after us, so you have time to sit back and relax and enjoy the BBQ if you wish afterwards, or you can arrive early (the event starts Saturday at 11 AM) and listen to music to your heart's delight.
Dress is the same as it was at the church - solid colors and black, but be aware that since we're outside and taking into consideration the temperature forecast, just make sure you're comfortable as well. Full suit jackets, etc., are not necessary for this gig if you wore them last time (though you looked snazzy). :) You might want to wear sunscreen, but we should be under a tent while we play. Furthermore if you have guests coming, with the number of people invited, I would recommend having them bring beach chairs or blankets to sit on the grass.
Band members can contact me directly with any individual concerns, but that should be about it. The address of the Duck Deli is
524 East Butler Ave.
New Britain, PA 18901
if you need it. Weather is supposed to be awesome tomorrow, and I'm sure we'll have a great time playing our charts. And finally, the lineup of pieces is, again:
"In the Stone"
"The First Circle"
"Samba Ti Kaye"
"Ride the Wind"
"Malaguena"
Let's have a great time!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Practice Recap and Performance Info
Hey everybody! Great job at practice last night. The cold run-through (though there were longer than normal pauses between charts last night) went (musically) verywell, and then I thought that we cleaned up some key spots, especially in In the Stone and Ride the Wind.
Making it all of the way through "The First Circle" was exhilarating the first time, and now that we know we can do it, we just need to: a.) learn to do the opening minus the bass drum, and b.) clean, clean, clean followed by c.) polish, polish, polish. We have April to finish this, because we intend to perform this monster chart on May 1st.
To reiterate it here, call time is at 6:30 at the church on Sunday and dress is conservative concert attire, meaning white, black or solid colors for tops and black for pants, etc. or all black attire (if women want to wear dresses). Know that a good third of the members of the band will be coming over from the DVC jazz band concert at 3 and will no doubt be in white/black apparel already. Just use your common sense.
Also, remember, and I can't stress this enough (and I know I have at this point), to not make any sound upstairs, especially when you're coming in and setting up. When you walk in the doors (by the time 6:15 rolls around), be aware that right to the left of the church entrance there is a performance going on. Quietly talk or whisper and head downstairs, and then stay quiet. If you are warming up downstairs, you must keep it at a piano/pianissimo level, play only when the door is closed, and only in groups of less than three. We know how bad that room echoes, and we know how the sound carries. I'm not trying to be strict here, but we need to be disciplined and give all the respect to the performers upstairs that we can.
Next week we will be focusing on cleaning "The First Circle," so we need to keep the focus up (I think I will be saying this for all time) and the non-musical chatter to a minimum. With the acoustics of our practice room, everything that is said is amplified and so, whenever directions are being given from whoever is giving them, the sound level needs to drop. We're usually very good about this, so I'm not really that concerned, but it's something we want to keep in mind.
I think we can all look forward to the performance on Sunday, but just bear in mind the above information, and look for a post later this week with links to the recordings of the new charts. Remember, the only one we will play through soon is "But Beautiful" as it is not an advanced chart, and that "Begin the Beguine," "Intersecting Lines," and "Rhythm of Our World" we will begin practicing in full after May 1st, giving you about a month to take some time on your own with them.
Thanks again for all of your hard work, ethusiasm, and dedication to the group. I think we all know of the value of our players, our mission, and the legacy of the music that we are working. See you all Sunday.
Making it all of the way through "The First Circle" was exhilarating the first time, and now that we know we can do it, we just need to: a.) learn to do the opening minus the bass drum, and b.) clean, clean, clean followed by c.) polish, polish, polish. We have April to finish this, because we intend to perform this monster chart on May 1st.
To reiterate it here, call time is at 6:30 at the church on Sunday and dress is conservative concert attire, meaning white, black or solid colors for tops and black for pants, etc. or all black attire (if women want to wear dresses). Know that a good third of the members of the band will be coming over from the DVC jazz band concert at 3 and will no doubt be in white/black apparel already. Just use your common sense.
Also, remember, and I can't stress this enough (and I know I have at this point), to not make any sound upstairs, especially when you're coming in and setting up. When you walk in the doors (by the time 6:15 rolls around), be aware that right to the left of the church entrance there is a performance going on. Quietly talk or whisper and head downstairs, and then stay quiet. If you are warming up downstairs, you must keep it at a piano/pianissimo level, play only when the door is closed, and only in groups of less than three. We know how bad that room echoes, and we know how the sound carries. I'm not trying to be strict here, but we need to be disciplined and give all the respect to the performers upstairs that we can.
Next week we will be focusing on cleaning "The First Circle," so we need to keep the focus up (I think I will be saying this for all time) and the non-musical chatter to a minimum. With the acoustics of our practice room, everything that is said is amplified and so, whenever directions are being given from whoever is giving them, the sound level needs to drop. We're usually very good about this, so I'm not really that concerned, but it's something we want to keep in mind.
I think we can all look forward to the performance on Sunday, but just bear in mind the above information, and look for a post later this week with links to the recordings of the new charts. Remember, the only one we will play through soon is "But Beautiful" as it is not an advanced chart, and that "Begin the Beguine," "Intersecting Lines," and "Rhythm of Our World" we will begin practicing in full after May 1st, giving you about a month to take some time on your own with them.
Thanks again for all of your hard work, ethusiasm, and dedication to the group. I think we all know of the value of our players, our mission, and the legacy of the music that we are working. See you all Sunday.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Upcoming Rehearsal: Monday, 5 April 2010
Hello everybody! Is everyone looking forward to Monday? You know, the journey this band has been on has been a great one, from our first rehearsal almost four months ago (can you believe it?) to a nearly full band now, looking at charts for the summer, and looking to the first performance, which is next Sunday, April 11th.
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication, and to ask them as humbly as I can to keep it up, for we will only get better and have more fun making great music together. Malaguena is really starting to peak and maybe back in the sections or in the recordings stuck in acoustically-odd rooms (is that a nice way of putting it?) you cannot hear so well just how well this piece does sound. What a closer!!! When we get outside, all that hard work in dealing with the acoustic difficulties and focus and concentration to be precise will pay off big time. In the Stone is strong and so are Samba Ti Kaye and Ride the Wind, and the parts only require some cleaning to be more than decent.
And we made it from meas. 35 to the end The First Circle without crashing. That's really quite something. The saxophones worked hard at a small sectional during practice, and I'm sure everyone could hear that. There are some seriously cool powerhouse players in that section.
Oh, and the trombones had their third sectional on Friday night. Again, it's the energy and dedication thing. I am so absolutely happy with this.
Anyway, I wanted to send this message out tonight as I will be out all day tomorrow, and I don't want to update the blog last minute on Monday. So in the meantime, check the blog for call-time for Sunday, but expect it to be at about 6:30 PM at St. Paul's on the 11th (french horns can come in at 6:45), and you can hope to be out by about 8:15. I will post a blog message just about that gig as the date rapidly gets closer.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate it in the band, and looking forward to Monday night. Moving right along... and coming soon... the Duck Deli...
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication, and to ask them as humbly as I can to keep it up, for we will only get better and have more fun making great music together. Malaguena is really starting to peak and maybe back in the sections or in the recordings stuck in acoustically-odd rooms (is that a nice way of putting it?) you cannot hear so well just how well this piece does sound. What a closer!!! When we get outside, all that hard work in dealing with the acoustic difficulties and focus and concentration to be precise will pay off big time. In the Stone is strong and so are Samba Ti Kaye and Ride the Wind, and the parts only require some cleaning to be more than decent.
And we made it from meas. 35 to the end The First Circle without crashing. That's really quite something. The saxophones worked hard at a small sectional during practice, and I'm sure everyone could hear that. There are some seriously cool powerhouse players in that section.
Oh, and the trombones had their third sectional on Friday night. Again, it's the energy and dedication thing. I am so absolutely happy with this.
Anyway, I wanted to send this message out tonight as I will be out all day tomorrow, and I don't want to update the blog last minute on Monday. So in the meantime, check the blog for call-time for Sunday, but expect it to be at about 6:30 PM at St. Paul's on the 11th (french horns can come in at 6:45), and you can hope to be out by about 8:15. I will post a blog message just about that gig as the date rapidly gets closer.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate it in the band, and looking forward to Monday night. Moving right along... and coming soon... the Duck Deli...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Practice Recap: 8 March 2010
Great job last night! I think we only have a few key issues remaining with some of the charts. I'll go through them one by one, and of course we didn't work "In the Stone" last night, but here's what-is-up with the rest of them.
"Ride the Wind" - keeping the motion during the solo section seems to be the most difficult part. Right now we're barreling through it to get through it and keep the piece moving, but there has to be a way, either structurally or otherwise to get that to push the tempo as much as the rest of the piece does.
"Samba Ti Kaye" - it's all intonation and accuracy from here on out. The dynamics were much improved last night as well as the articulations. And of course figuring precisely how we're going to do the ending.
"The First Circle" - tacking on the first six bars and running it to the end. Listen carefully to the recording. Clean individual parts. In the meantime, we have to devote practice to balancing the whole parts and working in the clapping section at the beginning, which we did a little bit of last night. The coordination of this piece is the ultimate key for surviving it.
"Malaguena" - This is really getting sharp. I am going to make a post about which measures specifically the mellophoniums have the melody, and then if you want to follow your parts to the audio recordings on facebook or the Stan Kenton video recordings from the 60's try to listen in on what they're doing. It's more difficult to make that part stand out as they are actual french horns and not mellophoniums so their bells are facing back towards the trumpets. We have to compensate for that and be conscientious. There's parts where they're unison with everyone (ex. swing section) but there are also parts (especially near the beginning) we're they're constantly trading eighth-note, arpeggiated runs and the piece would really rock if that comes out. Otherwise, great job on control and dynamics, and trumpets were much more on pitch for those fanfares that we worked last week. This is quite the closer.
I'll be posting about the ideas for the summer charts next including the ones that were discussed after practice last night by the nine of us or so who continued to chill. We'll be spending some of next week and time throughout this week seeing how much of the band prefers certain charts over others.
"Ride the Wind" - keeping the motion during the solo section seems to be the most difficult part. Right now we're barreling through it to get through it and keep the piece moving, but there has to be a way, either structurally or otherwise to get that to push the tempo as much as the rest of the piece does.
"Samba Ti Kaye" - it's all intonation and accuracy from here on out. The dynamics were much improved last night as well as the articulations. And of course figuring precisely how we're going to do the ending.
"The First Circle" - tacking on the first six bars and running it to the end. Listen carefully to the recording. Clean individual parts. In the meantime, we have to devote practice to balancing the whole parts and working in the clapping section at the beginning, which we did a little bit of last night. The coordination of this piece is the ultimate key for surviving it.
"Malaguena" - This is really getting sharp. I am going to make a post about which measures specifically the mellophoniums have the melody, and then if you want to follow your parts to the audio recordings on facebook or the Stan Kenton video recordings from the 60's try to listen in on what they're doing. It's more difficult to make that part stand out as they are actual french horns and not mellophoniums so their bells are facing back towards the trumpets. We have to compensate for that and be conscientious. There's parts where they're unison with everyone (ex. swing section) but there are also parts (especially near the beginning) we're they're constantly trading eighth-note, arpeggiated runs and the piece would really rock if that comes out. Otherwise, great job on control and dynamics, and trumpets were much more on pitch for those fanfares that we worked last week. This is quite the closer.
I'll be posting about the ideas for the summer charts next including the ones that were discussed after practice last night by the nine of us or so who continued to chill. We'll be spending some of next week and time throughout this week seeing how much of the band prefers certain charts over others.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Make it Shine!
Great job at practice last night. We got a lot of work done of the kind which pays off in the long run. Fixing the little lines, the hits, the fanfares. In Malaguena trumpets have those huge perfect fifth fanfares. They're so easy to pull out of tune and to destroy by reckless timing or attacks. Last night was the best we all heard that part. Precision, precision, precision. If five trumpets (and it makes sense why there's an odd number of trumpets for that piece) can balance correctly, hit the notes with absolute precision and be in tune, there will be no better trumpet section playing anything in this area.
We have to push the tempo and stay on top of it. Samba Ti Kaye (last night) was the best we'd heard it from all the practices, and it was because of a decent amount of cleaning throughout, especially meas. 108, and because of the control of the tempo by pushing it. Now we just have to cut the volume and add back in the dynamics. The rest is there, though.
Ride the Wind is pushing the tempo, but it's also phrasing. There's a lot of room to experiment with this piece - it's a new one, it's the original version. I really like what we did dynamically in creating huge "phrase sweeps" (that's the only way I can describe it) that dominate; that's really the essence of the piece. The way the piece is structured - it's so lyrical. It's really a gem and probably will be played a lot in the coming years as it gets ordered and has more performances.
The First Circle we will be working on again next week since we did a lot of cleaning with the other charts next week. Listen to the recording(s) of First Circle. Apply the work done last night, the precision and control, while you practice The First Circle. If we can all do that, we will succeed in playing the whole thing through at the next practice. I do believe that.
Count Basie once said a great thing about this music, about polishing it and the feel and the phrasing. He said, "I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch."
A definite punch. I like that.
We have to push the tempo and stay on top of it. Samba Ti Kaye (last night) was the best we'd heard it from all the practices, and it was because of a decent amount of cleaning throughout, especially meas. 108, and because of the control of the tempo by pushing it. Now we just have to cut the volume and add back in the dynamics. The rest is there, though.
Ride the Wind is pushing the tempo, but it's also phrasing. There's a lot of room to experiment with this piece - it's a new one, it's the original version. I really like what we did dynamically in creating huge "phrase sweeps" (that's the only way I can describe it) that dominate; that's really the essence of the piece. The way the piece is structured - it's so lyrical. It's really a gem and probably will be played a lot in the coming years as it gets ordered and has more performances.
The First Circle we will be working on again next week since we did a lot of cleaning with the other charts next week. Listen to the recording(s) of First Circle. Apply the work done last night, the precision and control, while you practice The First Circle. If we can all do that, we will succeed in playing the whole thing through at the next practice. I do believe that.
Count Basie once said a great thing about this music, about polishing it and the feel and the phrasing. He said, "I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch."
A definite punch. I like that.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Practice Tonight: 03/01/10
Hey everybody! There's practice tonight and the plan is to clean up the pieces. We'll be working on getting the polish and balance down of Ride the Wind, In the Stone and Samba Ti Kaye. We'll also be working specific sections of Malaguena and First Circle.
Great job last week and looking forward to continued focus in the coming weeks. Only about five practices before the first performance so let's really make them count.
Performance list:
Sunday, April 11th (~5PM call time): Talent Show Intermission
Sunday, May 2nd (mid-afternoon): Duck Deli Jazz Festival
Sunday, May 23rd: Southampton Jazz Festival
Great job last week and looking forward to continued focus in the coming weeks. Only about five practices before the first performance so let's really make them count.
Performance list:
Sunday, April 11th (~5PM call time): Talent Show Intermission
Sunday, May 2nd (mid-afternoon): Duck Deli Jazz Festival
Sunday, May 23rd: Southampton Jazz Festival
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Practice Recap
Awesome job last night, guys! Solid work and major headway through the charts. We've almost got all of "The First Circle" put together, and once we get that, it's going to be polish, polish, polish. Only thirty-five measures to go, right at the beginning. Malaguena will be ready by April and I love that there was more attention to articulations and dynamics there.
That's the thing now: major attention to articulation and dynamics. We need to start taking everything to the next level now that we've got our heads around the pieces. And that next level is the flow and the feel of the pieces. I would suggest listening to multiple recordings on the Internet and getting an idea of what's going on in the other parts that are not in your own. Of course, if you sense one is more important, bring your part down, etc.
And remember, the Samba should be "elevator friendly." "Samba Ti Kaye" and "Ride the Wind" are both warm downs from the first two charts and rest pieces before the "blow your face off" closer. They're strategically placed in the set to be that way. So, you guys know what to do and what needs to be worked on. Let's keep the energy up - only six weeks to the first performance.
That's the thing now: major attention to articulation and dynamics. We need to start taking everything to the next level now that we've got our heads around the pieces. And that next level is the flow and the feel of the pieces. I would suggest listening to multiple recordings on the Internet and getting an idea of what's going on in the other parts that are not in your own. Of course, if you sense one is more important, bring your part down, etc.
And remember, the Samba should be "elevator friendly." "Samba Ti Kaye" and "Ride the Wind" are both warm downs from the first two charts and rest pieces before the "blow your face off" closer. They're strategically placed in the set to be that way. So, you guys know what to do and what needs to be worked on. Let's keep the energy up - only six weeks to the first performance.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Recap and Next Practice Info
Hey everybody. Good job on Monday night. We made some real headway on In the Stone and Ride the Wind. There was a good deal of chatting going on about where to place additional solos and such, and as pieces become more polished, these are the kind of issues that will arise in turn. It's nice to have the drum solo added into "In the Stone" and I think where we placed it is decent. Comment below if you think otherwise (or on the facebook wall), and that way we can continue the conversation outside of practice and save time in practice.
Next week the french horns are coming in to practice and so for half of the practice we will be extremely polishing (to a brilliant luster) Malaguena. The other portion of practice we will be working a lot on "The First Circle," as that's the piece that needs the most work of the whole set.
So again, great job, and see you next week.
P.S.: The track list for the CD will be on the next blog post, as well as a couple of links to pieces under consideration for the summer and beyond. Next year (2011) is the 100th birthday of both Stan Kenton and Johnny Richards (who did a lot of composing for Kenton). So, you might want to listen to the Cuban Fire Suite... youtube it... because some of us are thinking ahead that if all goes well... next year... it might be a birthday bash... ;)
Next week the french horns are coming in to practice and so for half of the practice we will be extremely polishing (to a brilliant luster) Malaguena. The other portion of practice we will be working a lot on "The First Circle," as that's the piece that needs the most work of the whole set.
So again, great job, and see you next week.
P.S.: The track list for the CD will be on the next blog post, as well as a couple of links to pieces under consideration for the summer and beyond. Next year (2011) is the 100th birthday of both Stan Kenton and Johnny Richards (who did a lot of composing for Kenton). So, you might want to listen to the Cuban Fire Suite... youtube it... because some of us are thinking ahead that if all goes well... next year... it might be a birthday bash... ;)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Practice Tonight!
Hey, just a friendly reminder that there is practice tonight. If anyone wants to listen to the charts prior to practice, there are mp3 recordings of the following at www.marinamusic.com:
"The First Cirlce" by Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays, arr. Bob Curnow
"Samba Ti Kaye" by Mark Taylor
"In the Stone" by Earth, Wind & Fire, arr. Paul Murtha
"Malaguena" by Ernesto Lecuona, arr. Bill Holman, trans. Bob Curnow
"Ride the Wind" by Les Hooper
Be ready for the monster chart. It's on the plate for tonight. ;)
"The First Cirlce" by Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays, arr. Bob Curnow
"Samba Ti Kaye" by Mark Taylor
"In the Stone" by Earth, Wind & Fire, arr. Paul Murtha
"Malaguena" by Ernesto Lecuona, arr. Bill Holman, trans. Bob Curnow
"Ride the Wind" by Les Hooper
Be ready for the monster chart. It's on the plate for tonight. ;)
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