Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • December 2015
18
• Be cautious—during your general explanation period—not
to speak or count off in subdivision, as this is not allowed and
could result in a warning from a judge.
• When 30 seconds has been called, you MUST review
the OPENING key signature (and related critical notes), time
signature, tempo, etc. Even if you have not gone over the very
ending of the piece, it is paramount that you force yourself to
return to the beginning. The LAST thing students should hear
you say—before time is called—is information regarding the
BEGINNING of the piece. This information needs to be very fresh
in their minds…..and yours!
• During these 30 seconds, double reed players should
discreetly place their performance reed into theirwater containers.
When time is called, the reeds can be removed. Double reed
French Horns
These Horns Speak
for Themselves
Specifications:
•
Kruspe style wrap
•
.462” bore
•
Medium large bell flare
•
12 3/16” bell diameter
•
Yellow brass leadpipe, body
and annealed bell
•
Clear epoxy lacquer finish
•
Nickel silver slide tubes
•
Mechanical lever action
•
Reversible 4th rotor
•
Adjustable hand rest
and pinkie ring
•
Thermoplastic case
with double valances
DSF561L
Lacquer
$1,799
DSF561N
Nickel
$1,999
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855.358.7407
•
FSD561N
6 Year
Warranty
Are You Ready for UIL Contest?
players should never leave their performance reed in
their water containers during the entire time they are
in the sight-reading room.
• After a short and smartly planned out warm-up,
allow students to blow air carefully through their
instruments, empty French horn water slides, empty
brass spit valves, etc. After this warm-up, there
should be NO MORE TALKING from the director!
As you start to begin preparations for your
respective UIL Contests next semester, always strive
to be as organized and detailed as possible. Your
students will remain successful as long as you have
a structured, goal-oriented focus to every aspect of
these preparations. I wish you the best of luck!
John Benzer is on the music education faculty at the University of
Houston’s Moores School of Music, where he teaches undergraduate
instrument pedagogy classes and band director methods classes.
Through the band department, Mr. Benzer assists the Wind
Ensembles and assists with the administration of student teacher
placements and observations. Prior to this, he taught for twelve
years at Griffin Middle School in The Colony, which is part of the
Lewisville Independent School District. During his ten years as
Director of Bands, the Griffin Middle School Symphonic Band was
twice named the Texas Class CCMiddle School Honor Band, in 1993
and 1997. In 1997, the Griffin Middle School Band Program was
awarded the Sudler Silver Cup, the most prestigious international
award to recognize junior high and middle school band programs of
outstanding musical excellence.
At the 1995 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San
Antonio, Mr. Benzer was named the 1995 “Texas Young Bandmaster
of the Year,” and in 2012 was honored as the Distinguished
Alumnus in Music Education through the UH Moores School of
Music. He is also the co-author of
Essential Musicianship-
Ensemble Concepts
, a published band method textbook, as well
as a Hal Leonard Textbook Consultant. Mr. Benzer is an active
clinician and adjudicator throughout Texas, and has presented
band director in-services and workshops in several school districts,
as well as various clinics at The Midwest Clinic, TBA and TMEA.
