Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • June 2015
14
prescribed by notation. Or, perhaps a single note
or small note grouping that might be elongated to
add nuance to a particular phrase or arrival point.
If every beat, every measure and every phrase is
subjected to the unwavering, relentless throb of
the metronome the music remains mechanical
and lifeless. What a shame. What a sin.
Now, with all that said, be assured there is a
place in all of our rehearsals for objectivity and
measurable outcomes. But, as in so much of life,
remember, all things in moderation. On occasion
let your heart and your musical soul guide your
rehearsal. Take time to enjoy the art of your music
as opposed to the craft of your music.
In the words of St. Francis of Assisi…
He who works with his hands
is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head
is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands
and his head and his heart
is an artist.
Which are you? Are you a laborer, a craftsman
or an artist? Which do you want to be? Would
you like to hear more about “our sins” and how
to avoid them? Join Richard Floyd at the TBA
Convention/Clnic on Friday, July 24 at 8:15 a.m.
or Sunday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m. to explore the
world of “sin free music making.”
Richard Floyd
lengths and articulations. We commit the sin of being
confined and limited by the notes on the printed stage.
According to Pablo Casals, “Notes are like straight jackets.”
He went on to say, “They have no ability to create music.”
Perceiving Rhythms Literally
As much as we would like to believe otherwise musical
rhythm is not finite. According to Bruno Walter its
measurability and therefore the accurateness of its notation
is only approximate. Divergence from the arithmetical
exactness can and should occur. Especially in the case
of the short notes in dotted rhythms, which might be
felt a little shorter, and therefore placed a little later than
Richard Floyd is in his 53
rd
year of active involvement as a
conductor, music educator and administrator. He has enjoyed
a distinguished and highly successful career at virtually
every level of wind band performance from beginning band
programs through high school and university wind ensembles
as well as adult community bands. Floyd holds the title Texas
State Director of Music Emeritus at the University of Texas
at Austin. He also serves as Musical Director of the Austin
Symphonic Band.
A more detailed biography of Richard Floyd can be found
on the TBA website, included with the convention schedule.
