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What’s the Score?

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percussion, remember to ask yourself, “would I ask my wind Third The Piece
players to do this?” You don’t want them to have very little When first looking at a score, it is important to know
involvement. At the same time, you don’t want to overstress what you are looking at as well as what you are looking
a smaller section trying to cover multiple parts. for. Here are some things to consider:
YOU are the person who can pick the best program for Key/Time Signatures – Is it something your students

your group because no one else knows your kids as well have been exposed to, or will you have to teach it?
as you do. However, if you know you want to feature a Ranges – Will your students be able to play the ranges
section or a soloist, ask friends or mentors for their input. required with their most characteristic sound?
What is more important to you—building a reputation for Scoring – Do you have to rescore a good deal of the
playing “legitimate” literature or giving your kids a quality piece? Is it an “old-school” piece where the voicing isn’t
education through a quality performance? Remember, favorable?
these suggestions are for concert music; stand tunes at Technique – Can your students actually play the notes,
football games are a completely different subject. or will they be “faking” it?
Tempo – Is the tempo too slow for your band to
sustain, or too fast to play well?

Bandmasters Review • December 2017 22 Texas Bandmasters Association