Bandworld Magazine

Introduction There are many brands of saxophones currently being produced varying greatly in quality and price. Within their brand, most saxophone manufacturers also produce several different models in order to meet the needs of performers at various stages of development. Student models, designed for beginning saxophonists, are the least...

A special award of The John Philip SousaFoundation David Lesser is the first and only band director that Clovis North Educational Center in Fresno, CA has ever had. Lesser has stayed in the Fresno area since graduating from Cal State University in Fresno with his BA in Music Education. He been his career first as an assistant...

For quite some time the need to have “flex” arrangements was the domain of the small bands with limited instrumentation. Now, however, enter 2020 and Covid-19. With many schools being forced into online learning or greatly reduced class sizes or even losing their rehearsal space so other classes can more easily “social distance”, the need for flex...

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...