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 .