Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Blog Page 12

Embouchure Formation Strategies for Classical and Jazz Saxophonists

Introduction Forming a correct embouchure is one of the most important aspects of playing the saxophone. Without a correct embouchure, a saxophonist’s tone, intonation, response, musical expressiveness and performance enjoyment will be severely hindered. In addition, it is extremely important to establish a correct embouchure in the very beginning stages of development since...

Puszta #1

by Jan Van der Roost Disc: HarmoniaRecording: Mansfield University Concert Wind EnsembleConductor: Adam F. Brennan Publisher: Publisher: MARK  55627-MCD Purchase The Mansfield University Concert Wind Ensemble has become a welcome addition to the MARK catalog with their...

Studying Band Excerpts for Trumpet: First Suite in E-flat for Military Band by Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Organist, trombonist, and composer Gustav Holst was one of Britain’s most celebrated musicians.  In addition to his famous pieces for band (the two suites and Hammersmith: Prelude and Scherzo, Op. 52) he also composed operas, ballets, symphonies, songs, and chamber music.  He is especially well-known as the composer of the “astrological” orchestral suite The Planets (1916).  The...

Reed Storage and Longevity Strategies for the Saxophonist

Introduction A properly functioning saxophone reed is essential for a successful performance. In addition, possessing several good reeds can boost confidence and motivate saxophonists to perform at their highest level. Likewise, not having an assortment of playable reeds can cause performers much anxiety, a loss of...

Strong Foundations (Daily Warm Ups for Band)

Strong Foundations Cover
Download the full score. Download score and all instrument books. ABOUT THESE BOOKS Why I Chose This Project: Before creating these books, I was dissatisfied with the quality of my 6th grade band’s warm ups. I would piece together rote exercises, technique exercises from our method book, and chorales from a different book. I also ended up writing out long tone and lip...

John Palmer

A special award of The John Philip SousaFoundation Palmer earned his Bachelor’s of Music Education from Furman University. He added a Master’s of Music education from Louisiana State and topped that with an education Specialist degree from the University of Georgia. Palmer was elected to Phi Beta Mu in 2008. He has earned 6 Citations of Excellence from...

Faustus – a Sax Opera

by John Plant Disc: Amazing Wonderments on SymbolRecording:Mansfield University Concert Wind EnsembleConductor: Adam F. BrennanSoloists: Joseph Murphy - Alto Saxophone; Richard MacDowell - ClarinetPublisher:MARK Records 55626 MCDPurchase Disc: Recording:   Conductor: Publisher:...

“Where’s the Triangle?” Strategies for Managing Percussionists and Percussion Instruments – Part 3

Setting up the percussion section Every conductor has experienced it: rehearsal is progressing smoothly, then the triangle part is missing. “Who is playing the triangle?” “Umm…we didn’t know we needed it.” Or “We can’t find it,” your percussionists reply.  There are three keys to solving this dilemma: 

From the Delta

by William Grant Still Disc: WORKS FOR SYMPHONIC BAND  WILLIAM GRANT STILL-FLORENCE PRICERecording:Northern Arizona University Wind EnsembleConductor:Patricia J. HoyPublisher:Cambria CD-1156Available: William Grant Still Music An Old Comrade: A classic CD revisitedPurchase Still was the doyen of African-American composers and has written over a hundred various concert and chamber...

Switching to Horn for the Intermediate Player

Click on the photo or link below to download a horn book for your intermediate players switching over to the horn. In addition to the horn book, students and teachers can access helpful videos via QR codes. This model project was created by 3rd year American Band College candidate, Ashton Bowles. Full PDF