Below are links to soundfiles/performances of the music we are/will be working on. We want everyone to learn the music by READING THE RHYTHMS, not by listening, so while there may be some of our "practice soundfiles", we want you to get in the habit of learning it by looking at the music, not learning by ear. Just listening is not always accurate and you can end up with some pretty obnoixous mistakes that are hard to unlearn.

EMAIL DIANE IF YOU NEED MUSIC - PARTS ARE NOT ON THE WEBPAGE AND MUSIC WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT REHEARSAL

To download our recording soundfiles, when they are available, there is a way of getting to a menu that gives a list of things you can do with this link. Chose one that says something about saving or downloading the link:

• On an Mac computer, press and hold the control key while you click on the link.
• On a PC right click the link or press & hold ctrl while you click on the link.
• On a smart phone or table press and hold your finger down on the link.

(PC users, let me know if there are corrections or easier ways to do this!)

LINKS TO INFORMATION

Updated June 3, 2024

SUMMER BAND

FALL STRINGS and BAND TOGETHER

FALL STRINGS

FALL BAND

USING SOUNDFILES EFFECTIVELY

(let me know if soundfiles don't work OR of omissions in info OR errors)

Always "reload" the webpage to be sure you have the up-to-date info.

BAND - SUMMER

SUMMER BAND INFO and REGISTRATION
Summer Band 2024

CLICK THE LINKS FOR SOUNDFILE

Cantina Band by John Williams, arr. Michael Kamuf. Play with a swing style - pay close attention to the articulations, staccatos ("dit"), accents ("dot"), all notes not marked should be played with a "doo" syllable. This recording is pretty fast, but our tempo will be determined by what we can play accurately! Be VERY careful to us the correct articulations!

Fairest of the Fair by John Philip Sousa arr. RW Smith/M. Story. This arrangement is not the full march - it is missing the first and second strain. This arrangment includes the introduction, the trio, dogfight, and the last strain.

Ball Game, by Jack Norworth and Albert von Tilzer, arr. Bill Simon. We have a practice soundfile for this one; it includes a count-off and measure numbers.

Windsong by Jay Chattaway. This recording features a trumpet soloist (possibly a computer generated as the sound is pretty bad!). We will play it with 2 or 3 soloists of various instruments. Let Diane know if you are interested and have a solo part (flute, clarinet, trumpet or saxophone of any flavor).

Greasy Kids Stuff by John Tatgenhorst. There is no official demo soundfile for this piece, but I found a recording of my middle school band playing it, which will give you a sense of the piece. DO NOT listen to the recording over and over or you will play it without some of the detail I think YOU can get, that the kids didn't (accents, some rhythmic accuracy). It is kind of interesting to note that the percussion section took off flying at 70 and although there was some flailing to get back together, they did it! (Whoops! Who missed the flat on beat 3 in the penultimate measure!) It is classic 50s rock and roll! You'll catch on pretty quickly. Watch out for the syncopated rhythms and accent the notes that come in on "+" after an eighth note rest. In the rhythm of the first section, pay close attention to the articulations: Housetop accent on the first note ("dot") strong accent, but longer note on the 2nd note ("dah") and staccto on the 3rd note ("dit"). Big ritard into 35 and starting at measure 34 swing the 8th notes. Ah, a sad, unrequited lovesong... Straight 8ths pickup to 47 and also in measure 58. Third section starts at 70 with a sudden increase in tempo and that section has straight 8ths. A fun piece!

Pavane by Maurice Ravel, arr. Robert W. Smith. This is a practice soundfile with count-off and announced measures. Flute, bells and triangle have the opening. Flutes, remember to count carefully on the tied notes in the first section! Bells you are the duet with the flute - play gently, but confidently. Measure 14, upper ww and trumpet have an eighth note that is repeaated in the middle of the measure - tongue the 2nd note very gently (legato tongue) even though it is under a slur. Measure 20, clarinets we need all 3 parts and stagger breathing. Bells and triangle, solo in 2nd to last measure - WATCH - those quarter notes are not in time, but will be dictated. Very rubato throughout, so watch (mark your music!!!)

Sound of Music. We are playing the version that says, "Adapted by Linda Murdock". This is our performance with strings, from our Dec 2023 concert. The sound quality is iffy given that it was recorded on Zoom, but you get the idea. I'd like to take the first section a bit faster.

Scarborough Fantasy by Christina Huss and R. Alan Carter. This is a lovely rendition of the traditional English ballad, Scarborough Fair. Click the title link to listen to the soundfile of the arrangment we are playing. (We may not be playing this piece.)

Linden Lea by Ralph Vaughan Williams, arr. John W. Stout. The issue that tripped up the most people when we played this in the 2022-23 season was entering correctly on the "+ of 3". Get that pattern down before you start playing/reviewing this piece, as it happens many, many times! It is the basic theme of the whole piece. Play slowly with a beautiful legato. Watch for rubato moments!!

Take Five by Paul Desmond, arr. Paul Cook, adapted by SVNHM Band members. Here is the recording from our May 2024 concert. There are changes in the form. When we get to 33, everyone except the rhythm section (piano, bass/tuba and drums) drops out. The rhythm section vamps. After 2 measures of vamp, the first solo (8 measures) starts. When solo 1 finishes, solo two waits for 2 measures of vamp and starts, etc. until all soloists have played. Then I step back up on the podium and when I give the cue, we start at measure 15, jump to the coda at measure 31 and play to the end. Overall, our performance has a great feel, but we do lose the swing in the eighth notes sometimes, so listen A LOT to the original recording by the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959). However, you can't use our version of the notes and play along with the original Dave Brubeck recording, unless you are a drummer! Ours is in concert Bb and the original is in Concert Gb (6 flats!). But listen to the original A LOT so that you can hear those rhythms, the swing, the 5/4, etc.

STRINGS & BAND TOGETHER (fall)

To be decided in the fall

STRING ENSEMBLE - FALL

LISTEN A LOT to these soundfiles and any other recordings you can find.
The more you listen, the better you will understand the flow of the music and the faster you will learn to play the piece! That said, please do not try to learn the music by listening - it is never accurate enough.

Oliver & Kett have chosen 4 terrific classics for you.
More will be posted later this summer, but meanwhile, print and save this summary:

Fall 2024-String Music Info and Soundfiles

You should have the music, but if not, the link was in Diane's email of May 27, 2024. If you have lost it, email Diane for a copy of the email.

BAND - FALL

LISTEN A LOT to these soundfiles and any other recordings you can find.
The more you listen, the better you will understand the flow of the music and the faster you will learn to play the piece! That said, please do not try to learn the music by listening - it is never accurate enough.

John, Linda & Diane have chosen 4 fun pieces for you.
More will be posted later this summer, but meanwhile, print and save this summary:

Fall 2024-Band Music Info and Soundfiles

You should have the music, but if not, the link was in Diane's email of May 27, 2024. If you have lost it, email Diane for a copy of the email.

HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE USE OF SOUNDFILES IN YOUR PRACTICE

There are several really good reasons for listening to the soundfiles of music you are playing:

1. *To get a sense of how the music sounds, its style, its phrasing, its harmonies (Most important reason!)
2. Following your music while listening to the soundfile (not playing) helps you learn how your part fits with the whole and helps you learn to keep your place
3. Playing along with the music gives you more opportunities to "practice with the group" than you can get just in rehearsals. You will not be able to determine when to play the very first beat, so come in on the next measure.
4. If it goes by too quickly, see the next bullet
5. Purchase the software, Amazing Slow Downer (from http://ronimusic.com/) and you can practice with the soundfile slowed down to where you can play along. (Soundfiles must be on the same device where the Slow Downer resides; you can not use YouTube, AppleMusic or soundfiles that are streamed from the web). For those of you cautious about what you download, this software site is safe according to Norton)
6. You can also slow down YouTube by clicking the gear and adjusting the percentage. You don't have the minute control of the speed, but it is better than nothing!

If you are new to working with soundfiles, DO NOT try to play along right away. Your first task is to listen several times while just following along in your own music (not playing), perhaps even using your finger to keep your place in the music. See if you can stay with the music, whether or not you can hear your own part (sometimes it doesn't sound like your instrument because you are playing the same thing as some other instrument and your part adds to the overall, but isn't itself distinguishable). Watch for things like holds or sudden loud spots or a change from legato to staccato to see if you can hear those as you listen. Until you can reliably follow along & keep your place in your music while listening and looking at your part, you will never be able to successfully play along. Be sure to do the listening first or it is just frustrating! Once you get good at that, try listening and speaking your rhythms. Once you can do that, then try playing with it, although you may find that it is too fast for you to keep up. (See bullet #5 above)

SVNHM homepage SVNHM Calendar New Horizons International Music Assoc. email Diane
Sudbury Valley New Horizons Music, Inc.