Selecting Repertoire for Band
WHAT IS“ GOOD” MUSIC?
By Christopher White, Band VP
Hello all. I am pleased to be able to serve the band teachers of the state in the role of the MMEA Band VP. A brief introduction of who I am: I am the Director of the University of Maine Symphonic Band, Director of Sports Bands and Maine Summer Youth Music Camp director at the University of Maine. I am beginning my 25th year and have been working with bands at UMaine since 1992. Prior to that I worked in MSAD 11,( Gardiner, Maine) from 1988-1992. I am fortunate to have been able to work almost exclusively with bands my whole career.
Over the year I will write on many topics that are of importance to me, but I want to know what you want to read. I am interested in how best I can serve you in this role. Please send your thoughts and ideas to mainemmeabandvp @ gmail. com. I can’ t promise to cover everything, but it will give me a departure point.
As we prepare for the new school year, among the tasks that we have is selecting repertoire that will serve our students needs, technically, musically and emotionally. There are many published lists out there that can help us along the way: NYSSMA, from New York State, the PML( prescribed music list) for University Interscholastic League in Texas, National Band Association selective music list and many, many more.
It is a daunting task. Grade level in music is inconsistent between publishers and between states. What one band director likes may not hold appeal to you or pertain to your situation. There is a flood of new music each year that we wade through looking for what is“ good”— which is difficult to define.