Great Music from the Past
The Concert Band / Wind Ensemble Classics
If you have already read my comments, feel free to scroll down or check the other pages for video performances of 'the best in 'band' music literature.
My Own Personal Introductory Comments:
My Own Personal Introductory Comments:
I know, this seems like an odd page to find on a website such as this, but in part, this is where I can 'reminisce' my past of when I was 'swept up' by the the classic 'concert band / wind ensemble sound' in America. This is not only a fading sound in the music world these days in some parts of this country but also in more and more schools, it is becoming non-existent. They still do still exist in some schools and bigger cities, but the popularity is fading quickly:
The Concert Band in America has a rich history.
If one were to study the history of bands in America, they would learn that bands always played a very important part in ALL of American history. The rise and fall of the band movement in America parallel's the rise and fall of America as a free Republic as much of today's music portrays the crumbling of our country's morals and standards.
For you former band players, band lovers, bandsmen, bandettes and band-aids along with community band players, band directors from the past, music teachers in the small schools of America and to any director who continues to try to hang on to the last breath of their school or community band, this page is not just for me, it is for you!
I will be posting what I believe to be the classics from the past for concert band and wind ensemble. These classics follow the classic term 'absolute music' and are not only enjoyable, but physically, mentally and even spiritually healthy to listen to. I would compare many of these band classics with the classics of the past from the great composers. Much of the music below follows similar form from the Classical and Romantic eras as well as a purity of the sound of music for sake of the sound of music - and that is aptly called 'absolute music.'
For many of us readers and listeners, this site will contain band pieces that I either played in my own school years, in all-state performances, workshops or even was privileged to direct during my 'band performing' days. "Those were the days my friend," when band was the major excitement in the country, in the communities, even in the local businesses, and of course, in the schools and colleges, as well as in the homes.
I will simply be uploading band and wind ensemble music that is spirited to hear, exciting to perform, challenging to the musician, balanced, etc. and most important, it will be music that had been enjoyable for many of us to have performed back in our 'younger' days! I still find myself moving my three fingers along with the trumpet parts as I listen to these - or I find myself silently directing the few 'classics' I ever had the opportunity to conduct.
As an added bonus, I will occasionally include a concert marches that I personally enjoyed and continue to favor above all the many brilliant marches that exist in the also fading-away marching band world.
I am sure the quality of these performances will vary and I suppose there are 'better' performances available if one seeks the internet long enough, but I am also not looking for the 'best' performance. What I will always be looking for are those 'visual' performances that have the best camera work so you can see the soloists, or the sections as they perform their special little parts, etc. I would like these videos to be a place to not only hear but to 'see' the band sound. While I figure most of the bands that are available on the internet are doing a pretty decent job, I do extend my 'attaboys' to all the musicians and their directors who are staying with their band, either in their community, their college or their local school music program! Feel free to make suggestions of some titles to me from your band days - I will include them as time allows! I am sure I can not remember them all - nor do I make the claim of knowing them all. Again, these are the ones I personally am aware of from my own participation over the years.
P.S. Naturally, I can't do this page on Concert Band music without my occasional personal comments - it is MY website ya know, so be prepared for that, as well! As we age, we tend to want to reminisce with those who humor us with some ear time! Thanks for listening / reading.
Please note that I also believe a web page such as this has enough potential to be a complete website in itself - and I am sure there must be more 'band only' websites out there in the cyber world. For me, though, this is just my way of bringing back some musical memories for me, I guess - and maybe can teach it to others, also. I will be adding to this page only as time allows. I will have to try really hard not to make this into a complete Concert Band in America website... there is so much I would like to present here. But with four websites already, I don't need to let this one overtake me, either. :-)
Enjoy!
M. Paulson
- 1) as many of us from the band generation fade away ourselves;
- 2) as the sound is one that most people don't understand or appreciate today unless you are a former player;
- 3) and as more and more young people turn away from the hard hours of practice with their computer techy social media based lifestyles and as the schools spend their money on out of control sports programs, on newer curriculum that create and teach the new social norms and the influx of psychologically mind-bending mental health programs.
The Concert Band in America has a rich history.
If one were to study the history of bands in America, they would learn that bands always played a very important part in ALL of American history. The rise and fall of the band movement in America parallel's the rise and fall of America as a free Republic as much of today's music portrays the crumbling of our country's morals and standards.
For you former band players, band lovers, bandsmen, bandettes and band-aids along with community band players, band directors from the past, music teachers in the small schools of America and to any director who continues to try to hang on to the last breath of their school or community band, this page is not just for me, it is for you!
I will be posting what I believe to be the classics from the past for concert band and wind ensemble. These classics follow the classic term 'absolute music' and are not only enjoyable, but physically, mentally and even spiritually healthy to listen to. I would compare many of these band classics with the classics of the past from the great composers. Much of the music below follows similar form from the Classical and Romantic eras as well as a purity of the sound of music for sake of the sound of music - and that is aptly called 'absolute music.'
For many of us readers and listeners, this site will contain band pieces that I either played in my own school years, in all-state performances, workshops or even was privileged to direct during my 'band performing' days. "Those were the days my friend," when band was the major excitement in the country, in the communities, even in the local businesses, and of course, in the schools and colleges, as well as in the homes.
I will simply be uploading band and wind ensemble music that is spirited to hear, exciting to perform, challenging to the musician, balanced, etc. and most important, it will be music that had been enjoyable for many of us to have performed back in our 'younger' days! I still find myself moving my three fingers along with the trumpet parts as I listen to these - or I find myself silently directing the few 'classics' I ever had the opportunity to conduct.
As an added bonus, I will occasionally include a concert marches that I personally enjoyed and continue to favor above all the many brilliant marches that exist in the also fading-away marching band world.
I am sure the quality of these performances will vary and I suppose there are 'better' performances available if one seeks the internet long enough, but I am also not looking for the 'best' performance. What I will always be looking for are those 'visual' performances that have the best camera work so you can see the soloists, or the sections as they perform their special little parts, etc. I would like these videos to be a place to not only hear but to 'see' the band sound. While I figure most of the bands that are available on the internet are doing a pretty decent job, I do extend my 'attaboys' to all the musicians and their directors who are staying with their band, either in their community, their college or their local school music program! Feel free to make suggestions of some titles to me from your band days - I will include them as time allows! I am sure I can not remember them all - nor do I make the claim of knowing them all. Again, these are the ones I personally am aware of from my own participation over the years.
P.S. Naturally, I can't do this page on Concert Band music without my occasional personal comments - it is MY website ya know, so be prepared for that, as well! As we age, we tend to want to reminisce with those who humor us with some ear time! Thanks for listening / reading.
Please note that I also believe a web page such as this has enough potential to be a complete website in itself - and I am sure there must be more 'band only' websites out there in the cyber world. For me, though, this is just my way of bringing back some musical memories for me, I guess - and maybe can teach it to others, also. I will be adding to this page only as time allows. I will have to try really hard not to make this into a complete Concert Band in America website... there is so much I would like to present here. But with four websites already, I don't need to let this one overtake me, either. :-)
Enjoy!
M. Paulson
Holst: "First Suite in E-flat for Military Band," Opus 28, No. 1
H. Robert Reynolds guest conducting the Baylor University Wind Ensemble April 29, 2013
H. Robert Reynolds guest conducting the Baylor University Wind Ensemble April 29, 2013
Holst: "Second Suite in F for Military Band," Opus 28 No. 2
NHK Symphony Orchestra Wind Section Conductor: Shigeo Genda
NHK Symphony Orchestra Wind Section Conductor: Shigeo Genda
Maurice Ravel's "Bolero"
London Symphony Orchestra - Valery Gergiev - conductor
(yes, his baton is a toothpick!)
London Symphony Orchestra - Valery Gergiev - conductor
(yes, his baton is a toothpick!)
- This is one of my rare 'orchestra' pieces I have included; the major melodies are done by wind instruments - so, there ya go.
- To the average listener, this piece may appear to be 'boring'.
- However, this truly is a classic - and it certainly gives the listener/viewer an opportunity not only hear but with the video, you can also see all instruments up-close.
- This piece grows from a simple melody to a full concert band sound at the end.
- The constant repetition throughout the piece is harder to play and stay concentrated than it is to listen to, believe me!
Gioccomo Rossini's "William Tell Overture"
(arr. Eric Jonghmans)
Pihalni orkester Konservatorija Maribor (Wind Orchestra of Conservatory Maribor) Dirigent
Conductor: Damijan Kolarič
(this is the whole piece - not just the 'Lone Ranger' part. :-)
(arr. Eric Jonghmans)
Pihalni orkester Konservatorija Maribor (Wind Orchestra of Conservatory Maribor) Dirigent
Conductor: Damijan Kolarič
(this is the whole piece - not just the 'Lone Ranger' part. :-)
"Chant and Jubilo" by W. Francis McBeth
I am honored to be able to say that I had a one on one lunch with Dr. McBeth in 1973.
He played a major role as a mentor and inspiration to me to move forward with band music for many years.
He is truly a legend in the band world.
I am honored to be able to say that I had a one on one lunch with Dr. McBeth in 1973.
He played a major role as a mentor and inspiration to me to move forward with band music for many years.
He is truly a legend in the band world.
"Festivo" by Vaclav Nelhybel
Iowa State University Campus Band
Approximately 111 students make up the ISU Campus Band which is open to anyone who loves to play.
The band rehearses one night a week during the spring semester.
Iowa State University Campus Band
Approximately 111 students make up the ISU Campus Band which is open to anyone who loves to play.
The band rehearses one night a week during the spring semester.
"American Patrol" - F.W. Meacham
Famed Bandmaster Leonard B. Smith leads the Detroit Concert Band in performing F.W. Meacham's famous American Patrol.
Famed Bandmaster Leonard B. Smith leads the Detroit Concert Band in performing F.W. Meacham's famous American Patrol.
"Sabre Dance," Aram Khatchaturian
Merion Concert Band
Merion Concert Band
"On a Hymn Song" - David Holsinger
The deeply moving hymn "It Is Well with My Soul" is the source of David Holsinger's outstanding contribution to the wind band repertoire. Here, Ohio Valley British Brass Band member Martin Jenkins leads the combined bands in his own arrangement for brass and percussion of Holsinger's composition. Recorded May 17, 2015.
"Shenandoah"
Frank Ticheli
Austin Symphonic Band. February 7, 2015 concert at Austin ISD Performing Arts Center in Austin TX.
ASB performing Shenandoah by Frank Ticheli. Music Director Richard Floyd conducting.
Frank Ticheli
Austin Symphonic Band. February 7, 2015 concert at Austin ISD Performing Arts Center in Austin TX.
ASB performing Shenandoah by Frank Ticheli. Music Director Richard Floyd conducting.
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