Bandworld Magazine

by Denis Wick Album Title: British ClassicsRecording: Saxon Wind PhilharmonicConductor: Thomas ClamorSoloist: Andrew Martin Hofmeir, TubaPublisher: GENUIN: Gen20658   Purchase If you’re not familiar with the Saxon Wind Philharmonic you are in for a treat. The program begins with the Earle of Oxford’s Marche by William Byrd in the spectacular setting of Elgar Howarth (most people are familiar with the Gordon Jacob setting). Two...

by John Mackey Album Title: Asphalt Cocktail: The Music of John MackeyRecording: Dallas WindsConductor: Jerry JunkinSoloist: Christopher Martin, trumpetPublisher: Reference recordings RR-144 Purchase John Mackey’s works for band have become very popular with today’s bands and wind ensembles. The title work is a five minute musical joyride which can be an ideal opening work. Sheltering Sky is a portrait in serenity that was...

When a publishing company is in business for over 130 years, quite a catalog can be developed.  And, as with all publishers, some are hits, while some are misses.  And there are always those works which gain greater popularity than anticipated, and those that get “lost” along the way.  Here’s a look at...

Introduction Proper reed selection is very important because the reed affects almost every aspect of saxophone performance especially tone, intonation, response, range, embouchure formation and endurance. There are many brands of reeds being produced from cane grown in various country regions and since there are so many reed brands to choose from, it...

A special award of The John Philip SousaFoundation Things must be good in Titusville, Florida because that is where In Schwindt has been for all 20 years of his teaching. Schwindt went to Titusville after graduating from Wichita State with a Bachelors in Music, with a Business Emphasis. followed by a MM in Trombone Performance from Florida...

by Wayne Oquin Album Title: TRIBUTERecording: Drake University Wind SymphonyConductor: Robert MeunierSoloist: Vince Kenney - euphoniumPublisher: MARK MASTERS 55597-MCD   Purchase   Tribute is dedicated to the memory of legendary bandmaster Don R. Marcoullier who directed the Drake bands form 1956 to 1987. The program begins with Flashback by Wayne Oquin. This attention getting opener is a rework of the composer’s earlier band composition Momentum. Aaron...

by Johan de Meij Album Title: JOHAN DE MEIJ SYMPHONY NO. 5 RETURN TO MIDDLE EARTHRecording: St. Michael Thorn Wind OrchestraConductor: Ivan MeylemansSoloist: Claudia Couwenbergh -  sopranoChoir: Brabant ChoirConductor: Louis BuskensPublisher: AMSTEL CLASSICS      Johan de Meij is a longtime friend of the American Band College and has written many significant compositions for wind orchestra. The most popular work of de Meij is...

by Kenneth Hesketh Album Title: Lake Wobegon* Brass BandRecording:San Francisco Wind SymphonyConductor: Michael HalstensonSoloist: Bill Chouinard - organPublisher: MARK MASTERS 54498-MCD Purchase *Lake Wobegon is used by permission of Garrison Keillor and Minnesota Public Radio. The band is not affiliated with either entity.      The British Brass Band tradition is alive and well in America with this fine ensemble. Remembrances features a varied program of...

A special award of The John Philip SousaFoundation Diane Koutsulis recently retired after an amazing thirty-eight year career. She spent the last 26 years of that career at Green Valley High School in Henderson, NV, where she saved as the Director of Bands as well as the Arts Department Chair. Prior to Green Valley she served in...

Introduction A clarinetist’s tongue position is perhaps one of the most important components of successful playing since it has a direct effect on tone, intonation, response and the ability to articulate quickly. In addition, the ideal clarinet tone, which is dark, in tune, focused and strived for by all clarinetists, can only be achieved...