Bandworld Magazine

A Guide To Expressive Performance Do you play, sing, or conduct expressively? Does your band, orchestra, or choir play/sing musically? What about your students? Are your/their performances inspiring, sensitive, and musical?  Too many musicians and ensembles, at all levels, lack the qualities of sensitivity, warmth, and life in their playing so necessary to be expressive.   Impressive technique is not enough;...

Introduction When performing jazz music, especially jazz in the swing style, utilizing authentic articulation is essential. The use of proper articulation is very important because it assists the musical lines with clarity, improves the swing feel and provides intensity and interest to the performance. When comparing professional jazz artists to that of advancing performers, one of the most dramatic differences...

A special award of The John Philip Sousa Foundation Andrew Esserwein has been the Director of Bands at Sprayberry High School in Marietta, GA for the last 20 years. He went to Sprayberry after having been the Assistant Director of Bands at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, GA for the first 7 years of his teaching career. He earned his Bachelor of...

This article is an adaptation of a NAfME Online Professional Learning Community webinar delivered by the author on April 8, 2021. Its insightful and timely message inspires us to REFLECT on how far we have come, RESTORE our self-belief and sense of purpose, and RECHARGE our passion to CREATE a bright future for music education. 

Rhythm Master was a passion project that took flight halfway into the pandemic. As I struggled (along with many other music teachers around the world) to provide worthwhile musical experiences for my students, I noticed quickly the rhythm deficits in place with my kids regardless of grade level. This caught me off guard as my ensembles frequently over the...

Introduction When traveling with a saxophone, there are several factors that saxophonists should carefully consider in order to arrive prepared for the performance. Keeping the instrument protected, packing the appropriate accessory equipment and knowing how to board an aircraft are all important aspects of traveling with a saxophone. Saxophone...

A special award of The John Philip Sousa Foundation Zack Williamson has been the Band Director at Roane County High School for the last thirty-two years. He started his teaching at Lewis County High School, stayed there for a year, then moved to Greenback High School, doubled his time there. Then he found Roane County and has found home. Williamson earned a BS...

Introduction Vibrato is a technique used by most advanced musicians to add expression to the music, improve intonation and allow notes to have a singing quality. When examining the use of vibrato in both classical and jazz styles, performers will discover that there are major...

by Claude T. Smith Disc: SMITH CONDUCTS SMITH-FESTIVAL FAVORITES   THE MUSIC OF CLAUDE T. SMITH  VOLUME 2. Recording: University of Kansas Symphonic Band & Southwestern State University Wind Symphony Conductor: Robert E. Foster & Dr. James W. Jurrens Publisher: MARK Vintage...

A special award of The John Philip Sousa Foundation Craig Bryant has ben the Director of Instrumental Music at Albany High School in California since 2007. Before that he served as the Director of Bands at Cunha Intermediate School in Half Moon Bay, CA. His BM in Trombone Performance is from Indiana University; his Masters of Music Education  is from Boston University. When...