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Jeff Girard and M-R Music present
The Wind Band Report
2013 Midwest Preview #4
Reference Books
Vol. 1, No. 9  December 2013

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We're all packed up and ready to travel to Chicago. This will be the last official preview Newsletter. I have a list of "suggested new works" I was going to talk about in an additional newsletter, but I'm out of time. I'll keep the list with me at the conference and point out some of those pieces to you in person.

A few announcements - first, if you aren't able to take the scores, music and books you buy at our booth home with you on the plane, we'll take it home with us and ship it to you for free after the holidays.   

Second
- take out your smart phone, go to your app store right now and download a free QR Code reader app (QR Reader or QR Code Reader for Iphone, QR Droid for Android, or any equivalent free program).  Nearly every new band piece and score now has a QR code on it (like the one above). Take one of the dozen pair of earphones that we'll have in the booth, plug it in your phone, and use the QR reader app to scan the code. You'll be able to listen to a sound file of that piece on the spot.

Finally - M-R Music will be closed for the week following the Midwest event so the staff can enjoy the holidays, plus unpack and organize all the materials and orders we bring home from the show. I'll try to get emails as I can, and I'll place orders as I see them, but many publishers will also be closed that week as well, so there won't be much product movement until the new year. 

See you in a few days!
Reference Books

Inside Conducting
Christopher Seaman

What does a conductor actually do? How much effect does he or she have? Can the orchestra manage without one? Is it necessary for the conductor to play every instrument? What about interpretation? What happens at rehearsals? Who is the boss in a concerto" the soloist of the conductor?

 

These are some of the questions that receive lively and informative answers in this book by renowned conductor Christopher Seaman. The book is composed of short articles on individual topics, each article beginning with an anecdote or saying and ending with quotations from musicians, often expressing opposing views. 

 

There are many books about the art of conducting, but none like this. I think the style this book is written in makes it a great resource for students, beginning conductors, and long time pros. I plan to make this my primary "down time" reading while I'm at Midwest.

 #9781580464116
 $32.95
Folk Songs in the English Folk Song Suite by Ralph V. Williams
Robert Garofalo

This is the final of five installments of books by Robert Garofolo analyzing in great detail the folk songs used in various major works for the wind ensemble. 
 
The book includes detailed chapters on the history of the Vaughn Williams masterpiece, several pages of interpretive notes, and a detailed analysis of each of the known folk songs used within the suite. Also included is a CD recording of all the folk songs sung by folk song scholars and singers Martin and Shan Graebe.
 
There's an enormous wealth of information in this book, and if you don't have any of the other 4 volumes (Suite Franciase, Lincolnshire Posy, Second Suite in F, and Old Wine in New Bottles with Sea Songs), look for them all in our booth. It's a rich resource that every wind band director who wants to delve deeper into these works should own.
 
 
#FOL2
$30.95


The Real Toscanini: Musicians Reveal the Maestro
Cesare Civetta

 

Legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini raised the standards of orchestral and operatic performance over an asonishing sixty-nine years. But as he did so, he acquired a reputation as something of a tyrant, who unleashed an explosive temper if rehearsals did not meet his expectation. 

In The Real Toscanini, Civetta presents an intriguing collection of vivid interviews with the maestro's friends, associates, and fellow musicians. Through these accounts, Toscanini comes through as a tortured but deeply humane individual who constantly strove to improve - a sincere and humble musician who was nevertheless the preeminent maestro of the twentieth century.

#00333741
$22.99
Making the March King; Sousa's Washington Years, 1854-1893
Patrick Warfield

 

John Philip Sousa's mature career as the indomitable leader of his own touring band is well known, but the years leading up to his emergence as a celebrity have escaped serious attention. In this revealing biography, Patrick Warfield explains the making of the March King by documenting Sousa's early life and career.

Covering the period of 1854 to 1893, this study focuses on the community and training that created Sousa, exploring the musical life of late nineteeth-century Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia as a context for Sousa's development, as well as Sousa's wide and varied output of musical compositions during this period of his life.

#9780252037795
$45.00


Music in the Air
Sleep
Charles Anthony Silvestri / Anne Horjus

 

Most of you are familiar with Eric Whitacre's work, Sleep. In this book, Charles Anthony Silvestri's text to Whitacre's music is presented in a completely different way. 

In collaboration with artist and illustrator, Whitacre has produced a combination of children's book and artistic coffee table book. This one is just what it seems - a simple work of beauty for your enjoyment, or to present as a gift to someone familiar with the work. 

The illustrations are gorgeous, I've gone through the book several times now and still enjoy the experience these images evoke when I view them. 

#00121999
$17.99
On Teaching Band
Eddie Green

As Tim Lautzenheiser says in the forward, "There is only ONE Eddie Green and, without question, his name is permanently etched in band history."  Over the years, Eedie Green has inspired thousands of band directors to be better teachers. On Teaching Band presents his thoughts and philosophy about getting students to do their best. 

This book includes an extensive and insightful interview with Eddie Green, guidelines for organizing a band program, tips on resumes, interview, and securing a position, and practical advice on relationships with administrators, parents, and colleagues. Take a look into the mind of one of America's foremost band educator.
 #04003023
$24.99

 
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at this time)
Classic Leadership 
Tim Lautzenhieser

Classic Leadership is the first published leadership curriculum specifically designed for high school students, written by Tim Lautzenheiser - one of the most respected and sought-after experts on leadership development at the high school level.

This book contains 12 weeks of lesson plans, activities, games, discussion items, and homework activities, all drawn from Tim's work with more than two million young people over the past three decades. The included DVD (for teachers only) is a step-by-step guide to the activities, featuring high school students in action.

 
  Student Book: #G-8659W, $19.95
Teacher'sEdition - #G8659, price TBD
Mr. Holland Rides Again!
Trey Reely

Nobody gets the life of a band director quite like Trey Reely. His columns in The Instrumentalist magazine have entertained an entire generation of band directors, capturing all the humor and poignant moments like no other writer. 
 
Mr. Holland Rides Again is the newest installment of the Mr. Holland series. Reely's unique, rambunctious style is full of wit and wisdom that will reduce any band director's stress instantly. Mr. Holland Rides Again is chock full of laughter and wisdom that will have you smiling, nodding your head in agreement, and rushing to share with musical friends.  

#G-8713
$19.95


That's it, it's time to head to Chicago. I hope you have a great time there, and I look forward to getting to see some of you in person for the first time. If you're a composer who has a piece you'd like to make available to the band world, talk to me about OHM Music

I'm open to suggestions from you. Tell me about a topic you'd like me to research and present. Email me at [email protected] with your thoughts and I'll look for an opportunity to incorporate it into a Report issue.


Until next time, thank you for your ongoing support. Spread the word to your fellow wind band colleagues!

Jeff Girard
Instrumental Specialist
 
Instrumental Music (my direct line): 314/942-1522
 
General phone line: 314/291-4686    Fax: 314/621/4166
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