Page 23 - 2017-BMR-December

What’s the Score?

Gloria Ramirez, Alex Denton, Marshall Thomas

Do you pick music because it’s 3) Students you would consider need to be diligent about trying to find
a piece you’ve always wanted to soloists. (This will help eliminate them. All of us have heard the saying,
perform? Do you choose hard music some choices for you as well.) “You pick your rating when you pick
because you want to make your band It is important to be honest with your music.”
stronger? Do you pick music because your ratings and to do it when you Also, be on the lookout for district
it’s the new thing on the UIL List? are in a neutral mood. We’ve all In-services that are hosting an event
After 37 years of teaching, here is a had those rehearsals where a section where they perform “new” music on
process that helps me when deciding surprises you one way or another, the UIL list. Attend those sessions,
music for my ensemble. and you disproportionally think they whether to perform or to listen. Some
When selecting a piece for your are bad or good. Following these of these will occur at Summer Band
ensemble the MOST important thing three steps will give you a clear idea Camps at different colleges and at the
is to choose music that fits your group of the kind of piece you are looking TBA Convention/Clinic. Host an event
in terms of scoring, instrumentation, for. Are your color instruments (flute, yourself by using your own ensemble if
and skill-level. Why play a Sousa oboe, bassoon, horn, and euphonium) possible. It would take some planning,
march if your flutes and clarinets can’t strong? Then consider an orchestral but I bet it would be a great service
match outside of their middle register? transcription to feature them. Is your to directors both in and out of your
Why try to play Hounds of Spring with flute section weak? Then you know district. You would probably want to
your eight alto saxophones trying to Enigma Variations wouldn’t be a good try talking with music companies who
cover the French horn part? Why play fit. Do you have a good trumpet would be willing to loan you music.
Nimrod with your third band because soloist, but you lack depth? Maybe Who knows, someone in attendance
it’s a “grade three” on the UIL PML American Elegy would be a good fit. may want to purchase a piece during
list? I’ve seen these mistakes happen, These are all a great way to find out that session.
and have had to judge some of them the type of piece you are looking for. Another thing you might consider is
before. The great thing about music looking on uilforms.com/results to see
–
today, is that there is so much great Second How To Find Music what selections have been successful
music that can be used for your group. If you are not familiar with the for ensembles similar to yours. That
Now, you can have multiple versions UIL PML list, listen to recordings. doesn’t mean it would necessarily
of arrangements and find the best Many online music retailers have the fit your group, but looking at the
one to fit your group. Here’s what to Texas UIL Contest list recordings and directors or ensembles with consistent
consider when selecting music some with scores to follow along. If and successful track records is a great
you can’t find a recording there, look place to start. It is also a good idea to
–
First The Band on YouTube, iTunes, or ask directors bounce ideas off of other directors and/
During a break (Summer, who have already performed it for a or mentors. Remember, you are trying
Thanksgiving, or Winter), on a scale recording. Check with the recording to pick a complete program not just
of 1-10 honestly rate: engineers that typically record your “big” piece. Once you think you
1) Each section of your band. UIL performances in your area or have decided on a program, listen to
(This will help you see your stronger/ throughout the state. You can also recordings of them back-to-back to
weaker sections.) look up recordings at Mark Custom see if they complement each other. Is
2) Each student within each Records. Unless it is a VERY new there enough contrast? Will it keep
section. (This will help you see the piece, you should be able to find it. everyone involved? Will my percussion
depth of each section.) There are so many resources, you just section benefit from this piece? With

Bandmasters Review • December 2017 21 Texas Bandmasters Association