Sorry, I can't help myself!
So, this one time at West Texas A&M University Band Camp, July 2008, "Heroes of Old, Men of Renown" got another performance. The group was the HS Concert Band (smack-dab in the middle: the third band of five) and it was conducted by Brian Collins (HBD at Midland HS) and David Wright (HBD at Randall HS, and my boss, colleague, friend, bridge partner and fishing buddy). David chose "Heroes" to be one of his two pieces to conduct.
Of course, this is as much a friend doing another friend a favor, but it was still cool to hear another group tackle this piece. And since I also teach at that camp, I got to be literally down the hall to hear snippets of rehearsal.
On a side note, I may have mentioned this in my AXIOM blog, but I cannot tell you how cool it is to be casually walking down the hall and hear something you wrote being played from a distance. One of the times that happened, I had this thought: "That's pretty cool, whatever that is. Oh wait! I wrote that!" My disclaimer on that is that I was hearing the trombones working on something on their own in their Brass/Percussion rehearsal so I didn't register right away. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
At the end of two of the full ensemble rehearsals, I got to stick my head in and listen to the rehearsal. The first day, I took some pictures and spoke to the band about the piece and what the title means and how the title has nothing to do with the piece (at least in concept), yada, yada. (Hey, I know it's not impressive. I don't have this whole "composer addressing the ensemble" thing working for me!)
Like I said, I took some pictures, and while they aren't as cool as John Mackey's blog pictures -- there are no high quality pictures here nor has any exotic food been photographed in extreme zoom! -- they are pictures nonetheless. And every picture needs a caption...
Two of the three trumpets are Randall HS kids. How's that third trumpet part, Kayla and Patrick? Lots of kickslide -- I hope you have that working properly!
Summer from Randall counts rests diligently. Have I mentioned how this is a piece for horn players!? I can't believe she even had any rests to count in the first place? By the way, nice job of not making eye contact here...
This is David conducting. I'm not sure what's happening in this photo, but I think it's a Rule #2 from Dr. Garner's four big conducting rules. David appears to be conducting the Rule #2 in both hands. Hey, whatever works for ya'.
Brian Collins is clearly not sure why I took his picture. Neither am I. But he's a handsome man, don't you think?
Thanks to three hours in a FedEx Kinkos, here's the score. Remind me to find a real print shop. Kinkos - great for b&w and color photos. 11 x 17" scores? Nope.
Over the shoulder of an unexpecting band member...
The marimba part gets some serious stick height!
This part is written for sandpaper blocks, but they are seldom loud enough to hear. Here's the cabasa making a good substitution.
Yea for euphoniums!
Hey, Sebastian? How are those high 'c's comin'?
The performance was a good one and the opportunity to hang out with the students was a lot of fun as well. This was definitely the highlight of my band camp.Now back to writing drumline stuff!
