classical concert reviews in newspapers like the New York Times. If there is a composer mentioned that you don't know, spend a few minutes online to look up their bio and works list. The compositions may not be appropriate for your ensemble, but it's very possible you may find music that expands your knowledge base.
Composer Websites: Many composers have extensive websites that sometimes feature recordings and PDF scores. What better way to learn new works than through the composers own website.
Attend other Concerts: Schedule time to attend recitals and concerts out of your main area of expertise. Learn new composers and expose yourself to new soundscapes. One of these composers may have written a piece for winds.
A Few Works to Consider
I've included a list of works that are worthy of your consideration. Many of these pieces are considered major works for band. Those are the works that can be used as musical benchmarks to measure the quality of any other work. If you don't know a work or a composer take a few minutes and look them up, you may find something you'll want to share with your students!
Arnold/Johnstone English Dances Barfield Bassett
Here We Rest
Biedenbender Luminescence Benson Benson Broege Catel
Chance
Overture in C Elegy
Sounds, Shapes, and Symbols The Leaves are Falling
The Solitary Dancer Sinfonia VI
Copland
Corigliano Dahl
Dello Joio Giannini
Emblems
Gazebo Dances Sinfonietta
Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn Variations and Fugue
Gossec/Goldman Military Symphony in F Gould
Grainger Colonial Song Grainger Hailstork Harbison Hindemith Holst Holst Husa Jacob
LaPlante Latham Linn
Maslanka Nelson
Persichetti
Schoenberg Schuman
Ballad for Band Lincolnshire Posy
American Guernica Three City Blocks Symphony in B-flat Hammersmith
Suites in E-flat and F Al Fresco
William Byrd Suite American Riversongs Three Chorale Preludes Propagula Traveler
Courtly Airs and Dances O Cool is the Valley
Scheidt/Daehn Canzona Bergamasca Schmitt
Dionysiaques
Theme and Variations, Op. 43a George Washington Bridge
Scriabin/Reed Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 Stuart Tull
Zion
Three Ayres from Gloucester Sketches on a Tudor Psalm
Turina/Krance Five Miniatures Turina/Reed La Procession du Rocio Vaughan Williams Folk Song Suite Welcher
Informative Books
Battisti, F. L. (2012). Winds of Change II: The New Millennium: A Chronicle of the Con- tinuing Evolution of the Contemporary Ameri- can Wind Band/Ensemble. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications.
Camphouse, M. (2009). Composers on Com- posing for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications.
Fennell, F. (2008). A Conductor's Interpretive Analysis of Masterworks for Band. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publica- tions.
Kreines, J., & Hansbrough, R. (2014). Music for Concert Band. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications.
Miles, R. B., & Blocher, L. (1997). Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. Chicago: GIA Publications.
Mitchell, J. C. (2008). Ralph Vaughan Williams' Wind Works. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications.
Salzman, T. (20032012). A Composer's In- sight: Thoughts, Analysis, and Commentary on Contemporary Masterpieces for Wind Band. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publi- cations.
Identifying and programming quality repertoire for your ensemble is time consuming, but is also extremely rewarding. The process of discovering new composers and works requires all of us to be vigilant and consistently aware of new publications. Composers and publishers websites allow us unprecedented access to new compositions. We must take advantage of this access to enhance and improve the music education of our students.
Rodney Dorsey is Associate Professor of Music, and Director of Bands at the University of Oregon, where he teaches graduate courses in wind conducting, repertoire, and conducts the Oregon Wind Ensemble.
Online Professional Development! Got music education questions? Want some expert advice?
NAfME offers this exciting free benefit to members throughout the school year. NAfME members visiting the band, orchestra, chorus, jazz, inovations, guitar, composition, Collegiate and general music networks can get expert advice in answer to their questions.
Visit the forums at
www.nafme.org 44 October/November 2014
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