Beyond the Chorale: New Warm Ups for Concert Band Friday, November 16, 2018
recommended by Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist
Beyond the Chorale by David R. Gillingham & Dennis W. Fisher
The age-old dilemma of finding appropriate warm-up pieces/studies for the symphonic band is now made much easier. No longer will bands need to play through a multitude of short, homorhythmic, single-textured four-part settings of chorales. “Beyond the Chorale” is a collection of 10 short, miniature concert pieces with a variety of styles, textures, timbral combinations, tonalities, rhythms, harmonies, and melodic material that transcend the traditional “warm-up” by offering many other pedagogical challenges that are guaranteed to raise the musicality of any band.
This is the missing “bridge” between the daily regimented warm-up and the music that makes up our curriculum.
These creative works and corresponding pedagogical content provide real-time application of principles that can be carried forward into rehearsal and performance, no matter the grade level.
“Beyond the Chorale” is a collection of pieces so musically compelling that they easily serve multiple simultaneous functions, including warm-up, technique building, intonation enhancement, sight-reading, and much more. Enjoy…and profit.
Developing Band Warm-Up by Robert W. Smith
The search is over for the ideal daily warm-up routine for your developing band. Master composer and music educator Robert W. Smith has constructed a complete warm-up for your growing musicians. Tone quality, intonation, articulation, flexibility, dexterity, and expression, are all addressed and exercised in this efficient warm-up that fits on a single page your student’s folder.
Steps to Success by Kim Benson & James Swearingen
Are you searching for a quick, yet highly efficient warm-up routine for your younger players? Then search no more. In less than five minutes, lip slurs, mini-scales, intervals, rhythm patterns and chorales can all be addressed. Using these exercises will instill a lifelong understanding of why warming up is important. In addition, students will instantly become more focused as you transition into your valuable rehearsal/teaching time. Kim Benson and James Swearingen, two well-respected music educators, have teamed up to make your instruction more effective, your musicians stronger and your program highly successful. A must-have for today’s approach to teaching instrumental music! Also available in a second volume, More Steps to Success.
Tuning Chorales for Band Volume 1 by Richard L. Saucedo
Drawing on his many years of experience building nationally acclaimed band programs and also his work as a successful guest conductor and clinician, Richard Saucedo has created a much-needed set of key-based chorales. These chorales incorporate the concept of drones (included on every part), and in addition to helping your ensemble focus on tuning these are great for developing tone, balance and phrasing. Volume 1 includes three chorales: Bb major, D minor, Eb major.
About the Author:
A former band director, Ken taught grade 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in central Ohio. His iPod ranges from jazz to classic and alternative rock, symphonies, and classic songs from Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. His interests include comic books, traditional amusement parks, the Muppets, football and hockey (especially the Steelers and Penguins), and all things Pittsburgh.