Tips That Cl i c k Phi Beta Mu


Outstanding Video Resources for Band Directors (Part 1)


This month, Tips That Click will review several DVDs that should be of special interest to directors of middle school and high school bands. These discs should prove useful for both classroom instruction and professional development and are easily available and reasonably inexpensive. I have been able to obtain these recordings from Gadsden Music Company(http://www. gadsdenmusic.com/) and Art’s Music Shop (http://artsmusicshop.wordpress.com/).


The first recommendation is a DVD from Bravo Music (http://cart.bravo musicinc.com/), which is the American branch of the Hiroshima-based BRAIN Co. music publishing company. This company specializes in importing the top Japanese wind literature, but also produces and sells an amazing array of videos. One of these that I can highly recommend is: Frederick Fennell Remembered. This video showcases the late Maestro with the Kosei Wind Ensemble in a varied program of original wind literature and transcriptions. I am constantly awed by the conducting ability of Dr. Fennell, even though this was recorded in his last years. My middle school students have enjoyed watching portions as there are many soloists featured throughout the compositions. I always try to highlight a portion with an outstanding player, even though I might not have them watch the entire piece. I just embed a small section of


video into our lesson to give them a vivid demonstration


of


characteristic sound and correct posture.


The second DVD of note is the 2009 Japan Wind Orchestra and Ensemble Competition-Elementary Division. This product is distributed by Bravo Music and available from our Alabama music stores. There are other discs with the Jr. High and High


School


performances on them, but I have found that the elementary performances seem to have the most impact on students and directors. To hear and see such immaculate performances coming from young children is amazing! As a university student in the 70’s, I can remember my mentor, Dr. A.R. Casavant, playing me LP records of some of the Japanese elementary bands, but it never struck me how young these children really were, and the depth of their musical maturity until I saw video. I obtained a VHS video in the late 90’s, and I remember going to the Texas Bandmaster’s


Association


convention and spotting a representative from Bravo Music at one of the booths. I loved the performances, but I was assuming that they were put together by an “all-star” group. When I asked this older Japanese gentleman about the elementary school band on the video he bowed, shuffled, looked down, and acted rather embarrassed. He then looked at me and responded: “Well….not exactly like elementary school here”. He then continued: “Elementary school band in Japan have 4th, 5th AND 6th grade”. I almost burst out laughing at the thought that he was apologizing for thinking having the 6th grade gave them an unfair advantage. We watch portions of these as “bell ringers” at times, and I also play them without sound so that students will look at


Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame inductee Tony Pike with Rho Chapter President John Bradley


ala breve


the posture and decorum of these groups. My colleague, Scott Thompson, used to get students thinking with: “How much talking do you think goes on in that group?” or; “How much excess finger motion do you see?” I have several years of these contests- - any of them are great watching and listening!


I realize that some of these groups have


videos on YouTube, but I promise it is worth the small investment (less than 35.00) to purchase some or all of these for you and your students. It is not the type of thing you want to leave for a sick or convention day, but judicious use of these resources with students can pay great dividends!


Part II will cover some DVDs that will help directors in directly planning their instruction. Rho Chapter of Phi Beta MuInternational Bandmaster Fraternity is committed to improving quality instruction and advancement of bands in this state. Please email pemin@mac.com with any comments on this column or suggestions for future columns.


Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster Fraternity is committed to improving quality


instruction and


advancement of bands in this state. Please email pemin@mac.com with any comments on this column or suggestions for future columns.


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