Exciting, fun, blown away – these are just some of the adjectives and phrases pep band directors have used to describe the experience of participating in the NCAA basketball tournament. Like the players, band members and their directors put their whole hearts into the games, spending many hours practicing their stands music for these showcase events.
Nothing rouses the spirit like a march, and few bands can capture the patriotic fervor of an American march like the United States Marine Band. Affectionately known as “The President’s Own,” the Marine Band was founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress signed by President John Adams and is the longest performing musical organization in the nation. For over 200 years, the Marine Band has been led by legendary American musicians like John Philip Sousa. One of these renowned directors, Colonel John Bourgeois (Ret.), sat down with Pepper to discuss his time with the Marine Band and how its work has impacted American culture both at home and in the eyes of the world.
Few movie franchises have caught the world’s imagination like Star Wars. For forty years, audiences have been enthralled by the trials and tribulations of the Skywalker family and their adventures in a galaxy far, far away. The heroes and villains of the Old Republic and the Galactic Empire are cultural icons.
Are you a band director yet you find yourself teaching chorus? In Part 1: Preparing Your Singers I discussed setting up and managing the choral room, breathing and warm-ups, and reading music. Now you’re ready for
When deciding which music to choose, consider the following questions:
During my teaching career, I noticed that there were many music teachers who would have liked to have known more about teaching both band and chorus – perhaps in order to be considered for more job opportunities, but sometimes simply in order to DO or KEEP their current job.
It’s back-to-school time! Many of you are already back in the classroom while other teachers are gearing up for the first day. That means it’s time to gather the supplies you need to be ready to start making music.
For some, the end of the school year means it’s time to prepare for final exams and start planning summer vacations. But for high school and college band directors, the end of the school year means it’s time to start finding music for the fall sports season.
Your concert is coming up; you and your students have been working on the selected repertoire for a while now—things are coming along nicely and the time for the performance is close at hand.
In all areas of the country, marching band is a vital part of the high school fall experience. While the type of band your school enjoys varies from performing at football games and pep rallies to high-level competition, marching band is a traditional key to a successful spirit-filled fall.
You have decided on the trip, made all the preparations, and your students and parent groups have been hard at work raising the funds to ensure that every student can participate. Now it is time to choose the repertoire that you will be presenting.