Earworms: "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Inside Out"

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I eagerly listen to just about anything that I can get my hands on. Always have. I grew up listening to Nitty Griity Dirt Band; Patti Lupone's performance in Evita; La Boheme when it aired on the local PBS station. When I started playing flute at age 9 and more seriously orchestra music at 14, I just expanded what I listened to. Music was not an "either this or that" situation for me; it's always been more of a "both this and that." 

Thanks to the curiosity of one of my students, there's been a lot of jazz in my ears lately. Recently, while I was scrounging YouTube for some Mingus, the "Up Next" feature recommended Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing."

I love jazz clarinet, and in particular I love Goodman. His sparkling tone cuts through the band as a soloist but can respectfully take its place in accompanying lines as well: a rare balance! He uses the clarinet in a driving, rhythmic way that completely changed my perspective on the instrument the first time I heard it. 

This particular time, the brass lick in “Sing, Sing, Sing” prodded something in my recent listening memory. That melody, combined with the prominent drum line, reminded me of Imdela May’s 2011 release, “Inside Out.”

Decades apart, these two pieces strike a dialogue. Love it when music connects like that. 

2018 - 2019 Maryland All-State Junior Band Audition Music

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It's that time of year again: time to start preparing for Maryland All-State auditions. Here's the list of requirements, straight from the Maryland Music Educators Association website.

Talk to your band director about getting set up, and then go see your private teacher for help preparing your scales, solos, and sight-reading for your audition!

Scales

  • Each student will be asked to perform the chromatic scale and one major scale for their instrument, selected from the following keys: C, F,  G,  D, A, E, B- Flat, E-Flat, A-Flat. 
  • The scales must be performed from memory.
  • Scales will be selected by the adjudicator according to the level of the selection being performed.
  • The scales are to be played evenly and smoothly in a 16th note pattern at a metronome speed of quarter = 72.
  • All scales are to be played ascending and descending a minimum of one octave, except Flute and Soprano Clarinet who shall perform the scales a minimum of two octaves.

2018 - 2019 All State Junior Band (Grades 7 - 9) Music

  • Flute (Piccolo): Rubank Advanced, Vol. 1, HL 04470390
    • Page 69 - #3 – quarter note = 60
    • Page 51 - #14 – dotted quarter note = 60
  • Clarinet (Eb Clarinet): Rubank Advanced, Vol. 1, HL 04470310
    • Page 24 - #6 (top) – dotted quarter note = 54
    • Page 54 – #17 – quarter note = 112
  • Low Clarinet: Rubank Advanced, Vol. 1, HL 04470310
    • Page 69 - #2 – quarter note = 116
    • Page 57 - #27 - quarter note = 68
  • All Saxophones: Rubank Advanced, Vol.1, HL 04470370
    • Page 30 - #12 quarter note = 72
    • Page 42-43 - #25 (no repeats) – quarter note = 132

2018 - 2019 Maryland All-State Senior Band Audition Music

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The 2018 - 2019 Maryland All-State Band Audition information just released! Here's your list of senior band audition requirements. You'll also be expected to complete a sight-reading component the day of the audition.

For additional information, talk to your band director and visit the Maryland Music Educators Association website.

 

Scales

  • Each student will be asked to perform the chromatic scale and one major scale for their instrument, selected from the following keys: C, F,  G,  D, A, E, B-Flat, E-Flat, A-Flat. 
  • The scales must be performed from memory.
  • Scales will be selected by the adjudicator according to the level of the selection being performed.
  • The scales are to be played evenly and smoothly in a 16th note pattern at a metronome speed of quarter = 72.
  • All scales are to be played ascending and descending a minimum of one octave, except Flute and Soprano Clarinet who shall perform the scales a minimum of two octaves.

2018 - 2019 All-State Senior Band (Grades 10 – 12) Music

  • Flute (Piccolo): Rubank Selected Studies, HL 04470700
    • Page 12 – quarter note = 54
    • Page 64 – quarter note = 92-100
  • Clarinet (Eb Clarinet): Rubank Selected Studies, HL 04470670
    • Page 8 – half note = 60
    • Page 25 – quarter note = 104-112
  • Low Clarinet: Rubank Selected Studies, HL 04470670
    • Page 18 – quarter note = 84
    • Page 10 – half note = 92
  • All Saxophones: Rubank Selected Studies, HL 04470690
    • Page 41 – eighth note = 88
    • Page 13 – quarter note = 104