Band BFFs

Synergy March Oct 28, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we explore Synergy March by William Owens, a delightful six-note march perfect for beginner and non-varsity bands. At just one minute long, this piece offers fantastic teaching opportunities with simple rhythms, limited articulations, and plenty of phrasing practice. We'll dive into strategies for developing articulation clarity, guiding students through full-value notes, and ensuring they connect longer phrases. This march also provides a fun chance for students to work on breath control and timing, with an adorable call-and-response section that passes between instrument sections.

Whether you're looking to build musical confidence in a beginner ensemble or add a charming march to your program, Synergy March is a fantastic pick for young bands.

Spania Oct 21, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we dive into Spania, a thrilling Spanish-style march by David Shaffer. With its vibrant rhythms, bold brass, and intricate percussion features, Spania offers young bands an exciting yet accessible challenge. We'll break down the piece’s structure, from its upbeat 4/4 tempo to the essential accents and stylistic nuances that bring this march to life. Discover tips for teaching key sections, managing accidentals, and helping your band balance dynamics for a polished performance.

Whether you're preparing for a festival or just looking for a fun, energetic piece, Spania is a must-have for your concert repertoire!

Rippling Watercolors Oct 14, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts discuss Rippling Watercolors by Brian Balmages, a lyrical and beautiful piece perfect for teaching students pulse, air control, and musical precision. They highlight the importance of percussion, colorful orchestration, and how the slow, rippling phrases challenge ensembles to create a mature, unified sound.

Elizabethan Dance Oct 07, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts break down Elizabethan Dance by Mark Williams, a light and airy piece perfect for young or beginner bands. They highlight its accessible rhythms, flexible instrumentation, and potential for teaching phrasing, balance, and articulation, making it an excellent choice for any developing ensemble.

Appalachian Morning Sep 30, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, hosts discuss the intricate beauty of Appalachian Morning by Robert Sheldon, highlighting its melodic complexity, subtle percussion, and importance in developing soloists. They emphasize the challenges of phrasing, breath control, and ensemble balance, making this piece a great choice for both contest preparation and concert programming.

New Music Grades 3 & 4 Sep 23, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we explore three exciting pieces for band directors and musicians, focusing on winter and train-inspired music that Laura and Katie performed at the Texas Bandmasters Association Conference this past July.

Winterscape by Gavin Lendt (Grade 3.5): A fast-paced, dynamic winter-themed piece featuring frequent time signature changes, a split clarinet and trumpet section, and unique percussion hits. It combines nods to holiday classics like We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Carol of the Bells, making it a versatile yet challenging addition to any winter concert.
Spirit of Ostenaco by Jay Bocook (Grade 4): Inspired by Native American themes, this piece features rhythmic flute solos, muted trumpet passages, and engaging woodwind and percussion interactions. It captures the essence of Cherokee culture while offering various instrumental colorations and solo moments, ideal for schools looking to explore diverse repertoire.
Rail Riffs by Brian Balmages (Grade 4): A fun and dance-inducing piece, this grade 4 selection combines jazz, Latin grooves, and railroad-inspired motifs. With intricate percussion, a fast tempo, and infectious energy, this piece will get both performers and audiences moving. It’s a standout choice for advanced bands looking to showcase technique and style.

Tune in for our thoughts on these pieces, tips for teaching them, and insights into the performance experience!

New PML 2-3 Sep 16, 2024

In this episode of the Band BFS Podcast, the hosts discuss four medium-difficulty band pieces (grades 2 to 3) featured in the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA) Music Reading Clinic. The pieces include:

Echoes of Time by Sean O'Loughlin: This piece, in concert E-flat and marked as a grade 2.5, has an echoing effect with different instruments responding to each other. It’s heavily inspired by John Williams’ music, with an adventurous feel similar to Indiana Jones. The piece balances woodwinds and brass, making it suitable for sub-non-varsity or varsity middle school bands.
Always by Joshua Hobbs: A lyrical, emotional piece marked as grade 2.5. It is slow and sustained, featuring a beautiful alto saxophone solo. It offers a great opportunity to teach young bands lyrical phrasing and balance, making it ideal for younger high school or older middle school bands.
Apex Predator by Michael Oare: A grade 2 piece featuring mixed meter and exciting percussion parts. It represents the theme of a predator hunting its prey, starting mysteriously and building intensity through rhythmic patterns. It's well-suited for middle school top bands or non-varsity high school bands due to its dramatic, cinematic quality.
Wind Power by Robert Buckley: The most challenging piece, rated grade 3, is a fast-paced, wind-themed composition requiring strong technique and endurance from players. It has complex ostinatos and dynamic variations, making it a great fit for high school bands with advanced abilities, particularly for a spring concert.

Andalucia and Infinity - Easy Marches Sep 09, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we focus on easier marches, including Andalucia by Victor Lopez and Infinity March by James Curnow. We discuss the intricacies of both easy marches, including key changes, rhythm, and percussion needs. We offer tips on how to bring out the best in your ensemble. Tune in for insights on how to tackle these pieces and elevate your band's performance!

Great Beginnings Sep 02, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we dive into "Great Beginnings" by Michael Kamuf, a fantastic piece for young bands. We explore its simple rhythms, minimal percussion needs, and accessible flex band arrangement, making it perfect for teaching fundamentals to beginners. Plus, we discuss key teaching opportunities within the piece, from articulation and dynamics, to proper phrasing and ensemble balance.

New Music Grades 1-1.5 Aug 26, 2024

In this special episode of Band BFFs, Katie and Laura discuss their top picks from the Texas Bandmasters Association Clinic, featuring newly published grade 1 and 1.5 pieces. They dive into their performances of five standout works: Antz by Carol Brittin Chambers, Courageous Spirit by Michael Kamuf, Whispers in the Wind by Robert Sheldon, March of the Hobgoblins by Randall Standridge, and Skedaddle by Timothy Loest. The episode highlights the educational value and unique features of each piece, offering insights for band directors looking to enrich their repertoire.

Winter Difficult Aug 19, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we conclude our winter concert series with three challenging pieces: "Ukrainian Bell Carol" arranged by Richard Saucedo, "Jingle Bells" arranged by Jay Dawson, and "Toboggan" by JaRod Hall. Each piece offers unique challenges and festive energy, perfect for advanced bands looking to showcase their skills. Join us as we explore the intricacies and excitement of these winter concert favorites!

Winter Medium Difficult Aug 12, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we continue our winter concert series with three medium to medium difficult pieces including "Frosty's Caribbean Holiday" arranged by Ralph Ford, "Hip Hop All the Way" also by Ralph Ford, and "To All a Good Night" arranged by Michael Story and Robert W. Smith. Each piece brings unique styles and challenges, from Caribbean rhythms to hip hop beats, and festive encores. Join us for tips on selecting and performing these engaging pieces for your band's winter concert!

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Winter Medium Easy Aug 05, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we continue our winter concert series with medium easy to medium pieces. We review "Bell Carol Rock" by Ryan Fraley, "Santa the Barbarian" by Randall Standridge, "Santa on Parade" by Jean Milford, and "Secret Agent Sugar Plum" arranged by Scott Watson, providing insights into their musical features and performance tips. Tune in to discover engaging selections for your upcoming winter concert!

Winter Easy Jul 29, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, we kick off our series on winter concert music programs with easier pieces for your band. We review "Holiday Rock" by Chris Bernotas, "Diary of a Grumpy Elf" by Timothy Loest, and "African Bell Carol" arranged by Robert W. Smith. We provide detailed insights into their suitability for Beginner, Sub Non Varsity or Non Varsity band levels, as well as performance tips. Join us as we help simplify your music selection for the Winter Concert programs!

Big Sky Round-Up Jul 22, 2024

In the Season 1 Finale, the Band BFFs "round up" the season with Big Sky Round-Up by Robert Sheldon, a vibrant western-themed piece perfect for younger bands with some challenging elements. They discuss the key changes and emphasize the need for strong trumpet and snare drum players. The hosts break down the sections of the piece, providing insights on articulation, balance, and tuning, especially for higher notes. They also offer practical tips for managing key changes, marking parts, and ensuring confident performances from each section.

Fall Difficult Jul 15, 2024

In the final episode of the Band BFFs fall concert series, hosts Laura and Katie delve into more challenging pieces for your fall program. They explore Zombie Dreams by Roland Barrett, Cave You Fear by Michael Markowski, and Music for a Darkened Theater by Danny Elfman, arranged by Michael Brown. Each piece offers intricate key changes, tempo shifts, and diverse styles that provide excellent teaching opportunities and a rich performance experience. The hosts guide you through these complex works, highlighting key sections, techniques, and tips to help your ensemble master these pieces and deliver a captivating fall concert.

Fall Medium Difficult Jul 15, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, hosts Laura and Katie continue their fall concert series, exploring medium to medium-difficult pieces. They dive into Dark Ride by Randall Standridge, Coffin Races by Jason Nitsch, and Zombie Tango by James Meredith. The hosts provide an in-depth analysis of each piece, discussing key elements, performance tips, and effective teaching strategies to help band directors bring out the best in their ensembles. This episode is packed with practical advice on balancing, articulation, and engaging students through dynamic, programmatic music. Perfect for directors seeking to enhance their fall concert repertoire!

Fall Medium Easy Jul 08, 2024

In this special episode of Band BFFs, Laura and Katie talk about medium-easy to medium fall concert pieces perfect for your band program. They discuss three captivating selections: Count Rockula by Timothy Loest, Dark Adventure by Ralph Ford, and The Pit and the Pendulum by Michael Story. Each piece is explored in detail, including key rehearsal strategies, stylistic nuances, and performance tips. Ideal for band directors seeking engaging repertoire, this episode offers practical advice to enhance your fall concert lineup. Tune in to discover how these pieces can bring excitement and variety to your band's performance!

Fall Easy Jul 08, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, Laura and Katie explore fall concert music with a focus on three engaging and easy-to-play pieces for young bands: Midnight Mission by Brian Balmages, Scary Had a Little Lamb by Carol Brittin Chambers, and Snake Pit by Tyler Arcari. They provide an overview of each piece, including key rehearsal strategies, stylistic elements, and performance tips. Perfect for band directors looking to enhance their fall concert repertoire, this episode offers practical advice and insights to help bring these compositions to life in your band program. Tune in to simplify your music selection process and inspire your ensemble with these exciting pieces!

Into the Arctic Jun 24, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts discuss "Into the Arctic" by Brian Balmages, a grade two piece inspired by the icy landscapes of Antarctica. The composition, which transitions from a slow and mysterious start to an exciting and intense finish, features a variety of instruments and emphasizes dynamic changes and articulation. The hosts highlight the importance of percussion and provide tips for achieving the best performance. Despite its winter theme, they recommend it for concerts year-round due to its engaging nature and the enjoyment it brings to students.

Armory Jun 10, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts dive into "Armory" by Randall Standridge, a thrilling piece reminiscent of video game music. They discuss the importance of maintaining intense energy and precise articulation throughout the composition, particularly emphasizing the critical roles of the percussion section and the various dynamic contrasts. The episode also highlights practical tips for achieving the best sound, such as managing percussion implements and ensuring clear, confident entrances across all sections.

Red Giant May 27, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts delve into "Red Giant" by Jorge Vargas, discussing its intricate musical components and the challenges it presents for performers. They highlight the fast-paced, energetic nature of the piece, emphasizing the need for strong trumpet players and a well-balanced low brass section. The conversation also explores the thematic elements of the composition, which depicts an expanding star, and the various orchestration techniques that make it an exciting and educational piece!

Arctic Wars May 14, 2024

In this episode, we delve into "Arctic Wars, Rise of the Penguin Army" by Brian Balmages. Join us as we explore the intricate composition, from its shifting tempos to the layered instrumentation, making it a favorite among both beginners and seasoned musicians alike. The imagery, changing tempos, and fun themes make this a concert favorite!

Expectations May 06, 2024

In this episode of "Band BFFS," the hosts delve into Larry Clark's musical piece "Expectations," discussing its approachable yet expressive composition suitable for bands transitioning to lyrical music. They emphasize the importance of percussion for color and effect, and the piece's strength in teaching students to manage lyrical phrasing and expressive playing. Additionally, the discussion covers the need for careful breath control and dynamic expression to enhance the musicality of the piece.

Looking Up! Apr 29, 2024

In this episode of "Band BFFS," the hosts explore Robert Sheldon's musical piece "Looking Up," focusing on its technical features and popularity in Texas. They delve into the complexities of the piece's brisk tempo and the challenging extended horn range, emphasizing adaptability for ensembles. Throughout the discussion, the importance of solid percussionists is highlighted, given the piece's active snare part, reinforcing the need for rhythmic and pulse solidity to enhance overall band performance.

Mystery Ride Apr 22, 2024

In this episode of "Band BFFs," the hosts dive into Terry White's musical piece "Mystery Ride." They detail the composition's technical aspects, such as time signature, key, and instrumentation, highlighting its suitability for bands with limited percussionists. The discussion emphasizes the piece's versatility and its role as a teaching tool, noting specific musical elements like articulation and dynamics that enhance a band's performance and eventual success.

Rust Belt Apr 15, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts dive into William Owens' composition "Rust Belt," detailing its musical elements, such as key, time signature, and ideal instrument ranges, alongside its thematic exploration of a once-thriving metropolis now facing decline. They offer practical advice for band directors on part division, dynamic contrast, and how to effectively feature various sections within the ensemble. The episode emphasizes the importance of articulation, dynamic balance, and instrumentation choices in bringing out the piece's character and underlying themes of resilience and hard work.

Tanchozuru Apr 08, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts explore Randall Standridge's composition "Tanchozuru," offering detailed insights into its musical structure, including its key, time signature, and duration, as well as specific parts for various instruments. They provide in-depth analysis on stylistic considerations, performance tips, and the importance of dynamics balance, the discussion aims to equip listeners with rehearsal techniques to make it shine.

As Twilight Falls Apr 02, 2024

In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts discuss Robert Sheldon's "As Twilight Falls," which has huge potential as an excellent piece for introducing lyrical playing. Tips on performance techniques, breath control, and balancing different sections are shared, making it clear why this piece is a favorite for varied levels of bands and an excellent choice for showcasing tone and beautiful melodic lines.

Danza de Espana Mar 25, 2024

In this episode 10, the Band BFF's discuss Carol Britton Chambers' "Danza de Espana." With its straightforward 3/4 time signature and the key of D minor, it's fun and easy to put together! Percussion is especially crucial for capturing the Spanish style. The Band BFF's provide insightful performance tips, emphasizing articulation, dynamics, and the thematic portrayal of dancers through the music.

Japanese Pictures Mar 18, 2024

In episode 9 of the Band BFF's podcast, the hosts explore Kevin Mixon's "Japanese Pictures," emphasizing its key of Concert B Flat, engaging tempo, and the crucial role of percussion in achieving the piece's dramatic effect. They offer practical advice on instrument adaptation, such as using marching bass drums as taiko drums, and speak to the teaching of various articulations and dynamics. The episode includes recommendations for balancing and tuning across the ensemble to ensure a cohesive and impactful performance.

Tripwire Mar 11, 2024

In episode 8 of Band BFFs, the hosts explore "Tripwire" by Jarod Hall, highlighting its dynamic range, engaging percussion, and the opportunity for each section to shine. Composed in 2020, the piece is set in concert E flat or C minor and spans about three and a half minutes, challenging musicians with varied dynamics and styles. "Tripwire" is celebrated for its ability to feature every ensemble section, making it a favorite among students and a valuable addition to concert programming.

Our Kingsland Spring Mar 04, 2024

In episode 8, the Band BFFs explore "Our Kingsland Spring" by Samuel Hazo, focusing on its key of concert E-flat and its transitions between 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures. They discuss the piece's emotional depth, highlighting its significance in teaching musicality and expression across various sections, particularly emphasizing the importance of dynamic contrasts and instrumental balance.

Egyptique Feb 26, 2024

In episode 7, the Band BFFs unpack "Egyptique" by Willie Owens, highlighting its position as a Grade 2 piece on the Texas PML with a consistent key of Concert E flat and a 4/4 time signature. They delve into its chromaticism and extensive percussion section, offering adaptable parts for varying skill levels and emphasizing the importance of dynamics and articulation to convey the piece's mysterious vibe. The episode provides strategic tips for balancing instrumental sections and enhancing the overall musicality, making it a go-to resource for educators aiming to bring "Egyptique" to life in their ensembles.

Colliding Visions Feb 19, 2024

In episode 6, the Band BFFs discuss "Colliding Visions" by Brian Balmages, a Grade 2 piece that features lyrical style and is one of our personal favorites. They give rehearsal ideas, ways to layer in voices, and have both used this piece as a great introductory grade 2 for a band.

Bazaar Feb 05, 2024

In episode 5, the Band BFF's discuss "Bazaar" by Randall Standridge, which is a Grade 1 plus piece. They emphasize the complexity despite its short length and explore various elements like key, time signature, and instrumentation. The hosts provide insights on teaching techniques, style considerations, and specific challenges in percussion.

Night Fury Feb 05, 2024

In episode 4, the Band BFF's explore "Night Fury" by Carol Brittin Chambers. The piece features energetic rhythms, vital percussion, and attention to dynamic contrasts. This is a great choice to work on tempo control, specific articulations, and layering in melodies.

Plaza de Toros Feb 05, 2024

In episode 3, the Band BFF's discuss "Plaza de Toros" by Michael Story. The hosts provide insights and teaching strategies for accidentals, instrument considerations, and balance. They emphasize teaching aspects such as chromaticism, fifth positions for low brass, and articulation while exploring various sections of the piece, offering practical advice for directors to enhance their band's performance.

Wings to the Mind Feb 05, 2024

In episode 2, the Band BFF's discuss "Wings to the Mind" by Brian Balmages. They provide insights on its suitability for young and beginning bands, covering aspects such as key, time signature, range, and duration. The hosts share teaching tips, emphasizing the importance of balance, articulation, and percussion dynamics throughout the piece.

Dance Celebration Feb 05, 2024

In episode 1, the Band BFF's discuss "Dance Celebration" by Robert W. Smith. The hosts provide insights into its key, time signature, tempo, and instrumentation, offering tips on handling various sections. They emphasize the importance of balance, dynamics, and articulation, suggesting teaching strategies such as using a number system for dynamics and creating a melody sheet for the entire band. The hosts also address challenges with specific instruments and provide practical advice for rehearsing the piece.

The One Where We Intro The Podcast Feb 04, 2024

The Band BFFs - Intro to the podcast

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