Rehearsal Notes from April 29

Pieces rehearsed:
March Saranac
Rock Quest
Whiteleaf Hill
Beyond the Riverbend
The Magic of Harry Potter
Instant Swing Concert
Where the Sun Breaks through the Mist
Rolling in the Deep
Mission: Impossible Theme
Ash Lawn Echoes

Reminders:
Please submit all outstanding permission forms (for DYFA and the TSO) by this Friday.

DYFA on Tuesday, May 6

• leave ODSS at 8:30, return about 12:30
• bring a lunch to eat at school afterward
• dress: black and white
• whether or not there will be a practice afterschool will be announced after the morning performance

Mandarin/TSO trip on Wednesday, May 7

• leave ODSS at 4 pm
• semi-formal to formal attire
• return to school about 11:30 pm

Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 14

• full concert dress, including vests and bow ties
• call time 6:15
• social time after the concert: stay tuned for more info!

Legacy March

This is a no-frills post to help you out with Legacy March, by Steve Hodges.

Here's a nice version by a middle school band.


Flute-centric version.

Latest Band News

1. An Extra Rehearsal will be held on Saturday, November 30, from 9 to 11:30 am. 
2. The Christmas Concert is on Wednesday, December 4. Tentative call time is 6:30 pm.
3. Concert attire includes a vest, supplied by the band. To make sure your vest fits properly, please come to the music room to be sized. If you're new to the band this year, your sizing date is Wed., Nov. 20 at lunchtime. Returning band members who want a better-fitting vest than they had last year, your sizing date is Thu., Nov. 21, at lunchtime.
4. The date of the Elementary School Performance Tour is Wednesday, December 18, all day. This day includes lots of playing time, some short bus rides, a moderate amount of equipment-moving, the happy faces of elementary school-children, and lunch at McDonalds. Permission forms will be available soon.
5. Here's what you should be practicing over the next week:

• Legacy March
• The Harmonious Blacksmith
• March Saranac
• Holiday Bobsled Ride
• Tidings of Comfort and Joy
• Christmas Swing
• Holiday Singalong

The Harmonious Blacksmith

Composed by George Frideric Handel around 1720, this piece was originally written for the harpsichord. Handel did not call it The Harmonious Blacksmith, and there is some question as to how the piece got its name. Check this Wikipedia entry for details on the mystery.

When playing this, Mr. McIlwain reminds us that, as an example of Baroque music, the timing should be steady throughout the piece, like a train moving to its destination.

Here's a link to an audio version of the arrangement that we're playing, arranged by Eric Osterling.

Band Social Nov. 5

Photo by rusvaplauke, from Flickr

Join us after rehearsal on Tuesday, Nov. 5 for some pizza, snacks, activities, and a movie. Only $2 to spend some quality fun time with your fellow band members. From 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Mark your calendars

The first band rehearsal of the new school year will be after school on Tuesday, September 17.

See you then!

Spring Concert May 10

• Call time is 6:15, in room 310
• Concert Dress
• Be ready to help with the clean-up after the show
• Return your music folder
• Eat some ice cream!