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Date Posted: 11:19:56 02/24/04 Tue
Author: Bradley Jayne
Subject: Choosing Literature
I want to first off say that I know in choosing literature that it depends on what kind of group it is that you are working with (ie: abilities, styles, backgrounds,etc.) But when choosing music what are the basic criteria? Because I think all too often directors are concerned with what would be enjoyable for the audience instead of challenging their ensemble or creating an aesthetic experience. Let me know on your thoughts.
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Re: Choosing Literature -- Brittany, 22:20:46 02/24/04 Tue [1]
I think one of the main things you have to think about when choosing literature whether band, choir or orchestra is whether or not the students will like it. I've played too many pieces in my life that I did not enjoy and got nothing out of them. I was lucky enough in some situations where my band director would ask us as a band if we liked the piece. Don't just go on whether you like it or the audience will like it. It needs to express the players and that would be the students! I know not all students will have the same taste in music they play, but if you have a variety of music for them to play, then it should cover everyone. If the students like the music, then they will want to practice and want to succeed at it. The audience will then be able to feed off of their feelings towards what they are performing and enjoy it too. Hope this isn't too confusing and helps some...just keep in mind the performers. Directors often think too much about what they like or the audience will like. :)
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Re: Choosing Literature -- Devin Bramel, 07:22:15 02/26/04 Thu [1]
I agree that it is important that your students enjoy the music you're playing, but that shouldn't be the primary factor in deciding what music you are going to program. Because, quite frankly, most high school kids that I have known (especially drummers) want to play songs that are really fast and really loud. And the wind players want to play music that is really easy and doesn't require them to actually put some extra time into learning it.
So I think that the criteria for selecting music would go something like this:
1. Choose music that fits within a range of difficulty levels. Don't program nothing but the most diffiultt music possible; you'll kill your students's lips. If you're going to program a piece that is very difficult, program two less difficult pieces that give your students a chance to rest their lips.
2. Don't concern yourself entirely with making sure the music you select will be fun for your students. Every student has different tastes, so you'll never be able to please everybody. Look for music that is capable of provoking an "aesthetic" response from both your students and the audience.
3. Also consider what your students will learn from a given piece. Granted, you shouldn't buy music that is designed simply to teach a particular skill, because that has no real musical value. Look for music that incorporates new technique into a larger framework of music that actually has a meaning to it.
4. Finally, be very careful when purchasing music. Second-guess yourself when looking at Hal Leonard's and Warner Bros.'s catalogs. These companies are, in my mind, notorious for providing second-rate music at an inflated cost. They're very good if you want easy pop charts or simple pieces, but don't trust them to provide quality music without looking in the $100+ range. I would actually go with some of the more independent companies, such as Arrangers' Publishing. They provide really good marching charts as well as concert band music.
Well, that's my take on the issue. What says everyone else?
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Re: Choosing Literature -- Brittany, 18:41:49 03/01/04 Mon [1]
"Because, quite frankly, most high school kids that I have known (especially drummers) want to play songs that are really fast and really loud."
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW...not all drummers want to play really fast and really loud. :) I prefer marches (such as Overture in C)...I know not everyone is the same, and I'm sure that there are some that do like to play loud and fast-so you might want to think about what you said... :o)
Brittany
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Re: Choosing Literature -- Jackie Batteiger, 18:50:20 03/02/04 Tue [1]
I agree with you Devin.
Some pieces that you present to your group my be so outside of their comfort zone, that they first bulk but then it may grow on them over time. If you never push the limits of the group both technically and aesthetically, they will not grow. Most of my students only like what is familiar. Our job is to expose them to all kinds of music.
I remember playing some piece by Hindemith(sp?) in band with Dr. Owen. I hated it at first. I thought "what is this noise?" But after practicing it and listening to a recording of what it should sound like, I learned to appreciate it more, even though I still wouldn't listen to it for fun or anything.
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Re: Choosing Literature -- Dr. O., 11:20:19 03/24/04 Wed [1]
HEY!! That piece was the Symphony in Bb, one of the great works ever composed for bands! Well, OK, I'll admit that Hindemith's music doesn't hold initial appeal for a lot of performers, or maybe even listeners. As Mark Twain said of Wagner's music "It isn't as bad as it sounds." Seriously, that is a consideration: in order to have students grow musically, it is necessary to expose them to some things which are unfamiliar, and many people aren't comfortable with that. You have to choose with care and thought, and recognize that the music might require time for the students to grow into it.
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