Greetings members of the FHS Concert Band! This fall is packed with performances, from our Children's Concerts to the Homecoming Field Show to the winter Cathedral Concert; while this last concert seems so far away, we need to keep an eye on where we are headed.
The music for this concert will present several challenges to you as an ensemble and also as individual players and musicians. Our showcase piece for this concert is a three movement work titled, "Minnesota Portraits" by Sam Hazo. Please take the next few minutes and listen to each of the movements below.
Once you have listened to these movements, log into your blogs and take a minute to describe specific challenges that will face you as a player/musician (notice I use these two words separately) and also the entire ensemble. I'd also like to hear what you think of the pieces in general (but please, as always, be honest in your responses!)
The 2012 London Olympics have come (and now) gone, and I cannot think of a better way to wrap up a summer that has been packed with trips, classes, good music and good friends than with the closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic games. After all, my summer began IN London; my wife and I had a wonderful time traveling around England, only to return to a State-side, traditional family vacation. Once the dust cleared from my second vacation, I began working on one of my summer jobs as an Improvisation and Saxophone instructor at a nearby music camp; and from there it was a trip to the cabin, one out to Colorado, a couple of good books and I find myself back in the office across from room 123 (the band room), only one day after the closing ceremonies.
I'm curious to see what you all enjoyed from your summer vacation; if you're paying attention right now, you will go onto your own blog and write down a paragraph or two describing your summer; this will be a good way for me to make sure you're following directions, that you have your blogs up and running, and it will also help me to get to know our newest members a bit better.
Before I go, it is well worth mentioning that this summer has had some major ups and downs in this world; a friend of mine pointed out that, with all of the violence we have seen this summer, it was only appropriate to hear this song at the closing ceremonies (and it's also a great, relaxing way to reflect on your summer memories as you begin typing. Welcome back!)
