Monday, September 16, 2019

Rehearsal Strategies


Pacing and flow
Create a rehearsal workflow with value based time management using the formula V = C/T.  The value of a rehearsal segment (V) equals the Content ( C ) produced divided by the amount of Time (T) invested.
3 and out
Select and rehearse 3 segments before reading from beginning to end. The segments can be any order.
Read/react
Read all, then react to the results, identifying big picture issues.
Emotional contour
Identify and rehearse key places relating to the emotional contour of the overall form.  In particular, interpret the peaks and valleys
Segments
Select and rehearse segments of the overall form using overlaps that alternate reading and interpreting. Work from beginning towards the end. (Eg., AB, BC, CD, DE)
Overlaps
Same as “Segments” but work from the end towards the beginning (eg. F, EF, DE, CD, etc.). Read and interpret.
Interpret/read
Provide interpretive details before reading from beginning 
Stop and go
Start from the beginning, but stop frequently as needed to fix spots.
Texture Layers
Identify the various layers of texture in a given segment. Rehearse each layer separately.
What Why How
Rehearse segments of the composition from the perspective of what is in the segment, why the composer made various choices, and how the lines should be interpreted.
Ignore the score
Memorize the tempo/meters of a segment. Rehearse the segment with eyes on the ensemble. Use an entirely aural approach for identifying issues.
Intensity with silence
Use silences in a musical passage that generate anticipation or tension.
Chizzel
Performers vocalize the rhythm of segment(s) using a “ch” sound for articulations.
Sing and play 
Sing a passage, then play it.
Target Practice
Rehearse the most difficult segment of the composition , then read from beginning to end.
Storytelling
Tell short stories evoked from the emotional intention of the music.
Language-free rehearsals
Use only gestures (not words) to give instructions to the ensemble about musical interpretation.

Monday, September 9, 2019

Star of the North Conducting Workshop

Star of the North Conducting Workshop
The Star of the North Concert Band will sponsor a workshop for conductors in Spring of 2020.
The workshop will include six conductor participants and a moderator (Star of the North conductor
Wayne Feller).  The workshop will culminate in a public performance where the six participants will
each conduct one movement of Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger performed by the Star of the
North community band.


Format
Two study sessions (two hours each) will focus on score preparation and rehearsal strategies
for conducting the six movements of Lincolnshire Posy. The six participants and moderator will
share perspectives on score interpretation, discuss potential rehearsal strategies, and practice
visual conducting techniques. Each participant will serve as a peer coach for the other participants.
Session 1
Lisbon (30 min.)
Horkstow Grange  (30 min.)
Rufford Park Poachers (60 min.)
Session 2
The Brisk Young Sailor (30 min.)
Lord Melbourne (60 min.)
Lost Lady Found (30 min.)


Two rehearsals will give each of the guest conductors an opportunity to rehearse one or more
movements using the Star of the North as a lab band. A public performance will feature Lincolnshire
Posy conducted by the six participating conductors on April 20, 2020.


Professional Growth Benefits
Conducting is usually a solitary experience. A conductor generally selects literature, studies scores,
prepares for rehearsals, and leads rehearsals and concerts without guidance or perspectives from
others. This conducting workshop, however, will use collective wisdom and perspectives from peer
conductors and moderator to discover new meanings, interpretations, and performance techniques
of a masterwork in wind band repertoire.


Fees
There are no fees for participants.


Clock Hours
A certificate from the Star of the North will be issued to each participant recognizing 11 clock hours
of participation which includes individual preparation (2 hours), group score study and rehearsal
preparation (4 hours), rehearsals (4 hours), and concert (1 hour).


Calendar
Study Sessions at Totino High School band room
Saturday, April 4, 10:00 am. - 12:00 pm.
Saturday, April 18, 10:00 am. - 12:00 pm.


Rehearsals at Totino High School band room
Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 pm. - 9:00 pm.
Wednesday, April 30, 7:00 pm. - 9:00 pm.


Concert at Hopkins High School

Tuesday, May 5, 7:30 pm.

First Rehearsal

Our first rehearsal for the new season is Wednesday,  September 11th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
The rehearsal location is Fridley Middle School, not Totino High School. I have been working for the
past two months creating a literature planning spreadsheet for the coming year. Here is a link to the
document.

Note that I use this spreadsheet as an organic reflection of my literature planning as it progresses
throughout the year. As my thinking changes, so does the spreadsheet. For example, in the February
segment, there are titles called “Totino Concertos”. Later this fall, several students from Totino H
igh School will be selected to perform as soloists with the Star of the North. The literature for these
“concerto” solos will be determined by January, 2020.


Ordinarily, we would start the year reading through all of the music we will perform at our first concert
in November. However, I haven’t yet received the score for Mars from the publisher, and the Minor
Alterations piece is the wrong arrangement, so I had to re-order the correct version.  I’ll need to
collect all the parts for the “Diminished Minor Alterations” and return them to the publisher.


For this week’s rehearsal, I’ve added some previews of coming attractions (music for concerts in
February and May).


Here are the known concert dates so far:
Sunday, November 24, 3:00 pm, Red Wing High School
Sunday, December 8, 500 pm, Arboretum
Wednesday, December 11, 7:00 pm, Landmark Center

Tuesday, February 25, 7:00 pm, Hopkins High School