Program Submission
September 15 has been looming since our very first Midwest Memo. Today was the deadline for submitting our concert program to the Midwest Board for approval. If you’re a regular reader, you know I had every intention of submitting early. Instead, I ended up spending a good portion of the last week playing with and tweaking the program order. I even flipped the order of two pieces just before my final proofing.
Our student teacher proofed the program one more time before I emailed it in. Good thing, he caught a couple errors caused by that last second re-ordering of two tunes that I had missed. Once the corrections were made, the electronic copy was sent and the hard copy was driven to the Midwest Office. It was a great relief to have the program finished and turned in.
(Speaking of our student teacher, with the conclusion of his student teaching he’ll have completed his degree and certification and will be looking for a band position, leave or otherwise, starting in January. He’s the goods…a talented, hard working teacher that I recommend without reservation for a middle school or high school position. Shoot me an email if you’d like to check out his resume for an opening.)
We’ll know if our program is approved by early October.
Our program…still no titles until approved:
Selection One (2006, manuscript, Grade 3)
Okay, one title. Essanay Fanfare by Douglas Akey – commissioned for our performance at the 2006 Midwest Clinic. Besides being a wonderful composer, Doug was formerly the band director at Hendrix Jr. High School, which performed at Midwest in 1992. This is our fourth time we’ve commissioned a work from Doug.
Selection Two (2006, new, Grade 2)
More later.
Selection Three (1957, old, Grade 2)
This was the last addition to our program. It replaced another harder work by the same composer. This three-movement suite was included in the 60th Anniversary List compiled by the Board of Directors.
Selection Four (2005, old, Grade 4)
When I first heard this work I was stunned that it wasn’t performed last year. It’s definitely the hardest work on our program, and should “knock ’em dead.” The audience, that is, not the kids. It’s placed early in the program as recommended in our guidelines.
Selection Five (2005, new, Grade 2)
More later.
Selection Six (1999, old, Grade 2)
More later.
Selection Seven (1939 POP, old, Grade 3)
Our march. Unfortunately it’s out of print, but it’s a great one by a composer on the required march composer list.
Selection Eight (1953, old, Grade 3)
Baroque transcription on the 60th Anniversary List. More later.
Selection Nine (2006, new, Grade 1)
There were several quality grade ones released this summer. My favorite was snagged before I could reserve it. This was a very close second.
Selection Ten (2006, new, Grade 3)
This is the final movement of a work we commissioned a few years ago. It’ll be the perfect finale to our program.
I continue to be very pleased with our program:
– A traditional march
– 4 contemporary works, only one overture
– 1 transcription…although my original plan hoped to have two
– 2 works from the 60th anniversary list, 3 pre-1960 works. 3 classics and hopefully several destined to be classics.
– 3 arrangements of folk literature
– A nice variety of difficulty and styles
Now we just have to learn all this stuff!!!!
(For topic suggestions or questions relating to our Midwest performance I can be contacted via email: cdestefano@skokie735.k12.il.us or through the contact page on our website.)
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