Dear friends,
We are established! We are now a musical “presence” in the Lynchburg Community. Let’s never forget that our overall goal is to “give” to our community, to take them on musical journeys which will enrich their souls. I am blown away in how we achieved that last Thursday night as evidenced by the many people who stopped me on my way to the lobby, some with tears in their eyes, and shared what an emotional connection we made. I never made it to the lobby! To continue to be a musical presence, the key is for us to play music that touches the soul. At the same time, I want to challenge you with new music, some of which will take us to the top tier of band literature. You are ready. This level of music requires more time to prepare, so with that in mind it is necessary to increase our rehearsal time by 15 minutes. Therefore, rehearsals will continue to begin at 7pm but will now end at 8:45.
This Thursday we will be reading Clifton Williams’ masterpiece Symphonic Dance no. 3 and I would like to get through Rehearsal letter ‘J’ (meas 118) It is important that you prepare. Here’s how:
1. Physically write the measure numbers on your music. You may number every other measure. I will be referring to measure numbers frequently as we rehearse.
2. Familiarize yourself with the music by listening to it as you follow your music.
3. Focus on the following areas with a metronome. (This will take a few weeks to work out so keep this chart handy.)
Clarinets measures 18-24 (This is repetitive throughout the piece with some variation)
meas. 65-67
meas. 68-70
meas. 135-137
meas. 163-167 (1sts only)
Flutes I’d like 4 flutes on 1st part-the rest on 2nd. Please printout both parts and I’ll assign them Thursday
meas. 26-30.
meas. 53-56
meas. 68-71
meas. 71-95 (This is not too technical but there are a lot of accidentals)
meas. 135-141
meas. 149-150
meas. 163-167
Alto Sax
meas. 38-41
meas. 68-71
meas. 120-123
meas. 131-134
meas. 135-141 (1st only)
meas. 149-150
meas. 149-150
meas. 163-167
Tenor Sax
meas. 38-41
meas. 52-57
meas. 135-141
Trumpets Measures 29-37
meas 44-50 1st Trumpet solo-(This will be in a freestyle a la cadenza)
meas 65-71 (1st trp only)
meas 131-134 (1st trp)
meas. 157-162
meas. 167-168
F Horns
meas. 38-41
meas. 68-71
meas. 163-167
Baritones
meas. 57-64
meas. 120-123
meas. 163-167 (Good luck!)
meas. 167-169
Trombones
meas. 167-169
meas. 173-179
We will revisit Chorale & Shaker Dance in the future. I will send out a Thursday’s rehearsal schedule later. I also have a story to tell you in person that happened to me onstage last week.
Thanks for all you do for the Pops!
Jim