Band Standards

[Doug@GT]

Polka & Fugue from Schwanda the Bagpiper

This piece rocks my socks. When the Tech band did it last year, we performed in a venue with a BIG pipe organ. Throw in all the extra trumpet parts on top of that and it was a lot of fun. Moderately challenging tuba part, too.

[Rick Denney]

I wonder if high school band has changed so much from the early 70s that they wouldn't have seen these. We played them multiple times when I was in high school. Still good choices.

They were passe in my high school in the early 70's. I had never played either Holst suite until several years after starting again as an adult. Everyone else was bored, but not me. I'm still not bored by them.

Rick "reminded of the George Burns joke about being sold old that he's new again" Denney

[Doug@GT]

I wonder if high school band has changed so much from the early 70s that they wouldn't have seen these. We played them multiple times when I was in high school. Still good choices.

They were passe in my high school in the early 70's. I had never played either Holst suite until several years after starting again as an adult. Everyone else was bored, but not me. I'm still not bored by them.

Rick "reminded of the George Burns joke about being sold old that he's new again" Denney

I performed the 2nd suite to some extent every year from my Freshman year of High School to my Freshman year of college (then we did the first suite last year).

The streak was saved by doing it with the brass quintet as a senior. We didn't have a horn player, so we put the t-bone on the horn part and put a euph on the t-bone part (for the solo). Interesting sound. I think it worked.

Doug "I like Holst"

[Chuck(G)]

It's strange that all the talk is about the First and Second suites for Military band (and perhaps Hammersmith), but no chat at all about the Moorside Suite, which I like better than either of the military band suites.

Why so?

[Doug@GT]

It's strange that all the talk is about the First and Second suites for Military band (and perhaps Hammersmith), but no chat at all about the Moorside Suite, which I like better than either of the military band suites.

Why so?

I for one have never heard of it.

Doug "curious"

[Chuck(G)]

I for one have never heard of it.

Doug "curious"

It's a 1928 work for brass band, but Denis Wright has done a very creditable arrangement for symphonic band. Here are some sound clips:

http://gmbrand.casualrain.com/download.php?cat=10013

Also see the DWS "Holst" CD.

[Rick Denney]

It's strange that all the talk is about the First and Second suites for Military band (and perhaps Hammersmith), but no chat at all about the Moorside Suite, which I like better than either of the military band suites.

Why so?

In my case, just a brain fart. I like the Moorside Suite plenty. I've never had a chance to play it, though. Hmmm, time to start a campaign.

Rick "who likes all of Holst and all of Vaughan Williams" Denney

[Chuck(G)]

Rick "who likes all of Holst and all of Vaughan Williams" Denney

Sometimes it seems like symphonic/concert band is the poor cousin to brass band. There's a great deal of brass band stuff that never seems to have made it to concert band.

Are there arrangement of the RVW Henry V overture or Variations for Brass Band transcribed for band mit saxes and perforated sticks?

Besides, brass band tuba parts tend to be pretty juicy...

[Doug@GT]

The Horse

The greatest of them all.

When I was in high school, one of our rivals were the Trojans. Naturally, they had a guy in a Trojan outfit riding a horse. Right before the game, the idea was for him to storm across the field, then hop the fence and ride off into the woods. Unfortunately, the horse didn't jump high enough and landed square on the fence. He (she) was stuck there through most of the first quarter.

Yes, we convinced our director to let us play "The Horse".

[Doug@GT]

October - Eric Whitacre

October is a great work. I'm not sure it's a "standard" yet (composed 2002?). It definitely will be someday. One of the best modern band works ever. Especially under a really good conductor.

Doug "thinking maybe a new thread is in order--really good NEW works"

[phoenix]

"To tame the perilous skies"

I dont like it that much,

How can you say this?? This piece is amazing and the tuba part kicks butt, in the middle, where the whole low brass plays that awesome hammering melody. So good... ah i love that piece. I think this piece will become a "Future Band Standard"

[Uncle Buck]

Louie Louie!!!

[TexTuba]

I got to hear this really cool piece called Poema Alpestre. UNT performed it at TMEA. I believe that will be if it isn't a standard. Highly recommended..








Ralph