Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2015
16
area where going slow will pay dividends later on.
As the students learn to articulate, it is important to
emphasize that the air is always moving and that the
tongue only interrupts—but does not stop—the air
stream. Individual instruction at this point is critical as
well, with detailed instruction provided on where the
tongue should touch and that it touches in the same
place, with the same energy, every time.
We start our students in their method books after
they can produce a steady sound and articulate
correctly. The book should be used as a tool and
should never dictate the sequence in which concepts
are introduced. Collaboration with colleagues is a
great way to get ideas and assess where you are with
your beginners. Don’t try to beat your neighbor’s band
to the end of the book. The most important thing is
that your students sound and look characteristic as
they play.
Begin to introduce instrument-specific exercises
such as brass lip slurs, clarinet register studies, octave
slurs, etc. as soon as possible after the students are
making steady sounds and have a wide enough range
to begin these. We emphasize to our students that
these are the types of things that professional players
do to allow them to be at their best.
Be careful when programming for performances—
especially the first Christmas concert. More than likely
your brass will not be ready to play an entire octave
at this point. Be sure the literature that you pick helps
the students’ development and does not cause them
to do things incorrectly just to get the music “right.”
Talk to colleagues to get suggestions on pieces you can
play that will give the students a positive first concert
experience that is educational and developmentally
appropriate for them at the same time.
Final Thoughts
At a clinic a few years ago, Past TBA President Fred
Velez said,
“With Beginners, Focus on the Three Ts:
Tone, Tongue, and Take Band next year.”
Participation
in Band provides so many lifelong benefits for students.
Be sure that they and their parents understand the
many great things ahead of them in the MS performing
ensembles, HS band, college band, and into adulthood.
Remember, the better start young musicians have, the
better opportunity they will have for future success.
Starting Beginners—The Tall and the Short of It
Chris Brown is beginning his 21st year as the Band Director at
Kimbrough Middle School in the Mesquite ISD. At Kimbrough
his bands have consistently received Sweepstakes at UIL Concert
& Sightreading Contest and First Divisions at other music
festivals. Kimbrough is the only feeder school for Poteet HS, the
2008 TMEA Class 4A Honor Band and three-time UIL Class 4A
State Marching Champion. Before coming to Kimbrough, Mr.
Brown taught for three years in the Bonham ISD where he was
the Band Director at L.H. Rather Middle School. While at L.H.
Rather, his band earned the first UIL Sweepstakes in the school’s
history. Originally from Grand Prairie, he graduated from South
Grand Prairie High School in 1986. He is a graduate of the
University of Texas at Arlington, where he received a Bachelor
of Music degree, and of East Texas State University where he
received a Master of Music Degree. He holds memberships in
TMEA where he served 4 terms as the Region 3 Middle School
Band Chair, TBA where he presently serves as the Region 3
Representative, TMAA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Beta Mu.
George Little is the Director of Bands at New Diana ISD.
He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University
and is currently in his 13th year of teaching in Texas public
schools. Mr. Little’s bands consistently earn top rankings in UIL
and invitational competitions. Under his direction, the New
Diana Eagle Band has also consistently placed at the state level
in the TMEA Honor Band, ATSSB Outstanding Performance
Series, and UIL State Marching Competition. Mr. Little maintains
an active schedule as a concert band adjudicator, clinician, and
honor band conductor. He has presented workshops at The
Midwest Clinic and the TBA convention. Mr. Little currently
serves as the President of the National Association of Military
Marching Bands and as the Region 4 Representative on the TBA
Region Representatives Committee. Mr. Little’s professional
affiliations include Phi Beta Mu Alpha Chapter, TMEA, ATSSB,
TBA, TMAA, and NAMMB.
