At a time of year when so many student competitions are taking place, I thought it would be helpful and perhaps even inspiring to review some basic practice and performance ideas. It is my hope that music directors share these tips with…
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I have judged at a number of Solo and Ensemble contests, and continue to be amazed by the number of misconceptions students and directors have about these events, ranging from who should enter to what they should play and how they should…
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“Organizations can generate a return up to 50 percent through citrus fundraising,” said Vanessa Hodak, fundraising program manager for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). “Citrus shippers can deliver packaged boxes of Navel oranges and…
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Imagine walking into a new job as a director and finding all the instruments you need in inventory and in good working condition. Many directors would need to imagine that because, in most cases, it just doesn’t happen. Band programs grow…
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The first step is the reduction of the log into "billets". For the most expensive woodwinds, these billets are obtained by splitting the log by hand so that each billet follows the natural grain of the wood. These are then sawed into the…
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Oil through each individual slide, or from a slide that will easily allow oil to reach all the rotors (commonly the 5th slide on tuba). To oil rotors through a slide, take the slide all the way out, put the oil in the slide, and install the…
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All repairs of the saxophone that can be made fast by the Band Director at a concert, football game or rehearsal are simple. Most things on the saxophone can be fixed with a few things
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Having grown up in the generation of the popular television show, M.A.S.H., I am continually intrigued by the phrase often used by the character, Major Charles Winchester. You may recall Major Winchester was an avid fan of the music of…
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