Thank you once again for an outstanding rehearsal. I’m beginning to expect them now-not because I have undue expectations, but because YOU are setting the bar high for the bnd and for me. As the metronome for this group with a few suggestions, I strive to inspire you to think about the technical and the expressive demands of the music per your particular instrument. With that in mind let’s go forward…
1. Flutes – strive to develop vibrato. I know some of you can already do it but you need to make it a consistent part of your sound.
(38) HOW TO DO VIBRATO IN 3 STEPS | FLUTECOOKIES TUTORIAL – YouTube
2. Brass – Lip Slurs – Continue to work on lip slurs. Here’s another approach. Notice how the demonstrator enunciates a "consistent" beautiful tone on each pitch.
(38) Lip Slurs #1 (Trumpet Warm Up) – YouTube
Everyone – Conceptualize your sound! What is your concept of how you should sound? One of the best ways to conceptualize is to listen to great sounding instrumentalists. Work to mimic their sound through "correct" embouchure and consistent steady AIR FLOW. There are thousands of examples on Youtube.
Clarinets: We have in our clarinet section two professional musicians Dr. Lynn Seipp and Jake Elder. Allow them to offer you tips. Following is just one example.
(38) TicoTico – Clarinet and Small Ensemble – Play Along – YouTube
Our saxophone section has one of the most consistent sounds in terms of pitch, tone, and blend, and for good reason. Many or most of them have been participating in a saxophone ensemble since covid knocked us out 2 years ago. Playing in smaller groups allows for more acute listening skills to develop.
Saxes – consider vibrato!
(38) VIBRATO Tutorial – Saxophone – YouTube
French Horns – avoid vibrato but focus on lip slurs.
(38) Lip Slurs: Warm-ups for Horn – YouTube
I was delighted to introduce you to Carol Canard and her grandson, Tommy. What a courageous lady she is! I looked at her two times while we were going through Phlillip Bliss. I didn’t see any tears but what I saw was a smile. This morning during my personal devotional time this came to mind and it occurred to me why. She is a woman of faith-her time for tears has past because she has the assurance of her reunion with them in heaven…it is well with her soul! Carol and Tommy’s presence and their response affirmed the power of music to enhance our lives which is the primary mission of the Lynchburg Pops Community Band.
THURSDAY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
March 10
Balance Chords (5min)
Lynchburg Pops Fanfare (10 min) Clean the details
Branding Iron (15 min) Clean the details
Under the Sea (15 min) Clean the details
The Music Man (15 min) Clean the details
THURSDAY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
March 17
Balance Chords (5 min)
Moon River (with Kyle) 5 min – Goal – Runthrough
Trumpeter’s Lullaby (with Larry) – Goal – Runthrough
United States Armed Forces Salute (10 min) Goal – Clean the details
Military Escort (with new dynamics 10 min) Goal – add dynamics
On A Hymnsong of Philip Bliss (15min) Goal – Finalize interpretation
THURSDAY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
March 24
Goal – Runthrough of the entire program!