Posted by Tim Cary on September 23, 1999 at 10:09:06:
In Reply to: Alternatives to marches and show tunes posted by Neil Dwyer on September 23, 1999 at 09:18:13:
Marches are showtunes can be used by bands, but too many directors choose to play poorly arranged tunes and weak marches as most of their reportoire. Holst works are good for bands, even Hammersmith if the group is strong enough. The band that I am in has performed Arnold compositions, Tichelli (sp?) pieces - Postcard and Blue Shade, Werle'e Duke Elligton, Russian Christmas Music, Robert Russell Bennet's Suite of Old American Dances and Symphonic Songs for Band...There is a lot of quality music written for wind band, unfortunately only high level school and university bands tend to hit the more challenging pieces. If the expectation of a band is only to hammer out showtunes and marches, the level of performance won't be too high. Performing challenging music motivates musicians and will help to attract strong players to the group.