How "new" is "newer?" I ask because some of the works for band from the 40s, 50s, and 60s aren't that easy. Some of us may remember the days of Dello Joio and Persichetti. And what of the Hindemith Symphony for Band? Not particularly new, but not easy either.
I have found that in a lot of ways, band music is more challenging than orchestra music, if for no other reason that the lines tend to be longer. For instance, we played a band arrangement of the Miniature Overture from the Nutcracker the other night. Now, there was nothing technically challenging, but the first horn part sits in the staff and up to high G, and it does so for the better part of two pages. We also played some medleys of Christmas tunes that were likely no more than grade 5, maybe even 4, but the horn parts went on forever with no rests. What's not challenging about that? As far as "oom-pahs" are concerned, there is an art to playing off-beats. Once you realize that in a typical march by Sousa or Alford the horns are the only ones that have chord changes, it gives a whole new meaning to why the horns and offbeats cannot be ignored. All four parts must be strong, played with a short percussive accent, and they must be placed perfectly between the beats. No different than a Strauss waltz, except you have to add another "pah." So I have to wonder...is the bias against band music in general? Gary Get Firefox!!http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/central.html _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
