October 21, 2023

By Conductor Messages

Hi, Believers!

I know that sometimes you might wonder: “What is he talking about?” “What are the syllables that he is using for swing/jazz style and why?” “What does this crazy director want in a march style?” Here is some information, that I have put together, to clarify the styles that will make our performance outstanding and the pieces to apply them to.

Swing Articulations
(from the article “Jazz Style and Articulation” in the Music Educators Journal):

  • Doo is used for long sounds that occur on downbeats. The articulation symbol that is sometimes used is (–).
  • Dah or day is used for accented long sounds on either upbeats or accented downbeats (>).
  • Doo-dle-da is used to articulate eighth-note triplets.
  • Dit is used for unaccented short notes (.).
  • Daht is used for accented short sounds, whether downbeats or upbeats (^).
  • Dow is used for notes that are followed by a fall—a descending glissando to an undefined ending pitch (\).

Apply to the following jazz music:

  • 405 – Star Dust (Lisa Phifer)
  • 658 – The Homefront: Musical Memories from World War II – Practice the transitions
  • between songs in the medley.
  • 803 – Blue Moon 2 (Lisa Phifer) – Be sure to work out from measure 35-52 and the Coda.

March Style
(from “Tips for a Better March Performance” by the Fillmore Wind Band)

  • A detached style is necessary.
  • Legato playing can be used only in the trio section.
  • Dynamic contrast is very important but always under control (good tone and balance).
    • Introduction – usually loud, forte or fortissimo (not too loud).
    • First Strain – less loud, mezzo forte, usually played as written.
    • Second Strain – usually the loudest strain in a march. Vary dynamics in this strain, softer the first time and louder on the repeat. Try eliminating brass the first time.
    • Trio Strain – softest strain of the march, piano to mezzo forte. Play legato if stylized that way.
    • Break Strain – loud and technically involved, usually played as written.
    • Repeated Trio Strain – loud and played out. Trio tune is played softly with emphasis and forte volume on the countermelody and/or obbligato.
    • Stinger – in the style and volume of the last strain.
  • Maintain a steady tempo throughout and remain true to the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic aspects of the march.

Apply to the following march music:

  • 533 – The Star Spangled Banner
  • 552 – Armed Forces Salute
  • 691 – Washington Post March 2
  • 799 – Trust, Deter, Defend

Other music for Veterans Day:

  • 693 – Patriotic Sing-Along (Lisa and Paul)
  • 724 – Nimrod – Legato (voice over by Bill Maine)
  • 800 – If You’re Reading This (Paul Lynch)

Please mark your calendars:

  • Veterans Day Concert dress rehearsal – Friday, November 10th from 6-8:00 pm
  • Veterans Day Concert – Saturday, November 11th, report time 5:00, performance 7:00 pm
  • Jingle Mingle Performance – Saturday, November 18th, time TBA

Our vocalists, Lisa Phifer and Paul Lynch, will join us for Monday’s rehearsal.

Exciting news! – Saturday, November 4th at 10:30 a.m. – The Truett McConnell University Felix Manz School of Music will dedicate the newly renovated percussion studio in the back of the Sewell Plunkett Chapel as the “Chuck McKissick Percussion Studio.” For those of you that didn’t have the honor of knowing Chuck, he was an integral part of the Believers Band for many years until he passed away in October 2020 from Covid 19. This is a great honor for wonderful man.

Last weeks rehearsal was a great step in the right direction. Let’s keep up the good work!

David

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