Page 10 - 2018-BMR-December

Exploring the Process of Vertical Tuning

concepts so that our students incorporate the process
of vertical tuning on their own, each and every time Probably the best thing we could
they play. In my experience, I’ve found that if students do is use chorales to teach these
can use “just tuning” on simple major and minor
triads, their ears automatically move to the next level listening concepts so that our
in terms of awareness. If you can get them listening to students incorporate the process
more extended chords, all the better! There are many of vertical tuning on their own,
resources on the web if you need reminders about how each and every time they play. In
to tune your winds via “just tuning.” my experience, I’ve found that if
Thanks for reading and please share your own vertical
tuning success stories via email so I can keep learning as students can use “just tuning” on
well. Best wishes to all for a wonderful fall/winter season simple major and minor triads, their
with your groups! ears automatically move to the next
level in terms of awareness.

Richard L. Saucedo retired in 2013 as Director of Bands and Performing Arts Department Chairman at the William H. Duke Center for the
Performing Arts at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. During his 31-year tenure, Carmel bands received numerous state, regional and national
honors in the areas of concert band, jazz band and marching band. Under his direction, Carmel’s Wind Symphony I performed at the Music for All
National Concert Band Festival three times (1992, 1999, and 2004) and was named the Indiana State Champion Concert Band under his baton most
recently in 2013. The group also performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago during December of 2005. Carmel Jazz Ensembles
won numerous awards at jazz festivals in Indiana and throughout the Midwest. The Carmel Marching Greyhounds finished in the top ten at the Bands
of America Grand National Championship for 17 years under Saucedo and were named BOA National Champions in the fall of 2005 and again in
2012. The Marching Band was the Indiana Class A State Champion four times. The Indiana Bandmasters Association named Mr. Saucedo Indiana’s
“Bandmaster of the Year” for 1998-99 and he was named the “Outstanding Music Educator” in the state of Indiana for 2010 by the Indiana Music
Educators Association. Mr. Saucedo’s accomplishments have been highlighted in articles by HALFTIME and SCHOOL BAND AND ORCHESTRA
Magazines. He was inducted into the Music for All “Hall of Fame” in 2015.
Mr. Saucedo is a freelance arranger and composer, having released numerous marching band arrangements, choral arrangements, concert band works
and orchestral compositions. He is currently on the writing staff at Hal Leonard Publishing. His concert band works have been performed all over the
world by middle school and high school bands as well as by college and university groups.
Mr. Saucedo travels the world as an adjudicator, keynote speaker, clinician and guest conductor. He will be a guest conductor, clinician or commission
composer in over 25 different states and 4 countries during the 2018-19 school year. Mr. Saucedo is an educational consultant and assistant chief judge
for Music for All/Bands of America and is a senior clinician for the Conn-Selmer Division of Education.
Mr. Saucedo did his undergraduate work at Indiana University in Bloomington and finished his master’s degree at Butler University in Indianapolis.
He is also an aviation enthusiast and a certified private pilot. Mr. Saucedo is married to his wife Sarah and is most proud of his two children. His daughter,
Carmen, received a degree in elementary education from Ball State University. His son, Ethan, is currently in 6th grade and plays basketball as well as
studying privately on piano and percussion.

Bandmasters Review • December 2018 8 Texas Bandmasters Association