Concert selections for Middle School Orchestra Monday, August 16, 2010
Stanton’s Dan Clark is has been reviewing new publications and making his choices to recommend for the 2010-11 school year. Here are some of Dan’s suggestions for your developing ensembles:
FREEDOM OVERTURE, Arr. John Caponegro, Gr. 2+
Here is a tastefully arranged, utilitarian “must-have,†piece for any occasion that calls for a good patriotic medley. Containing America the Beautiful, Marines Hymn, The Caisson Song, America, Anchors Aweigh, You're a Grand Old Flag and The Star-Spangled Banner, it will not only more than answer the need for a piece of this type, but will be an educational vehicle, helping you to teach various accidentals, watching for varying time and key signatures, but most importantly, making the transitions as seamless as possible between tunes with accelerandos, ritardandos, dynamics and fermatas – all good “watch the conductor†lessons.
HUNTING THE WILD BEAST, Brian Balmages, Gr. 2.5
Young people these days love stories of dragons, wizards and knights, and this piece explores the aural imagery of dragon hunters from leaving the castle to the final conflict – but the victory is left to imagination of the listener. Many wonderful effects are used to tell the tale – heavy ensemble hits, pulsating, vivace eighth notes and half-step dissonances that resolve out, all in an ancient sounding mode that includes C naturals. Add the tom-tom/snare drum part (one player) for full medieval effect! Huzzah!
PAVANE, Peter Warlock/Mitchell Bender, Gr. 2
If you are planning on playing Peter Warlock's Capriol Suite at your high school in a few years, considering introducing it to your middle school students now as a taste of things to come. Put in a slightly friendlier key/mode to avoid most of the flat accidentals in the original, this Allegretto movement captures the flavor of the 1927 composition with its combination of Renaissance ambiance with a 20th century twist, but makes it accessible to younger players. There is a little bit of divisi in the first violins, but not nearly as much as the original and the quarter/eighth/eighth ostinato pervades throughout. It's really contagiously quirky!
For more excellent recommendations for your string program, contact Dan at 1-800-42-MUSIC, ext 2.