August 10, 2026 Director’s Notes
Another fantastic rehearsal! You folks accomplish so much in such a short period of time. You are all rock stars! 🌟🎶
There is so much progress happening right now. The music is becoming more confident, more expressive, and more fun with every rehearsal.
🎵 This Week’s Rehearsal
Warm-up Chorale #3
This went much better this week! The timing is coming along nicely, and so is the expression. Soon we should be able to really dig into the expressive side of this one and make that beautiful Danny Boy melody shine.
Dance of the Magyars
We ran through this one a couple of times, and it is super fun! You all have that repeat before C nailed down tight — excellent! The dynamics are also making the piece increasingly effective.
Blue Rock
We took this at ♩ = 145, which is likely faster than the composer intended, but it felt about right for us. Sometimes you just have to go with what works!
America the Beautiful
This gave us an interesting lesson in the roles of the conductor, the band, and the percussion section. This piece has a tendency to slow down, so we ALL need to be watching — eyes up! 👀 — to maintain the tempo.
And yes, I am absolutely including myself in that advice! 😄
The Star-Spangled Banner
We gave this one a review, and it is still sounding strong.
Celebration for Winds
We had a great run-through of this one. It continues to be in very good shape!
Fandango Festival
We spent a little time digging into some details here.
For our Part 1 folks: Remember to come in strong and sharp on that first note. This happens several times throughout the piece. It is marked forte and accented, and it should be almost startling to the listener. Make an entrance!
We also talked about measures 13–16 and how they serve a similar purpose to measures 17–20 in Dance of the Magyars — but with a very different character:
Dance of the Magyars is forte and marcato.
Fandango Festival is more subdued at mezzo forte, with no marked articulation except for the staccato in Part 4.
Similar musical idea — very different personality!
Wipe Out
This one has come a long way, even though it seems fairly simple on the surface.
And now we have choreography! 😄
At measure 21: UP → RIGHT → LEFT for each note, repeating as necessary. Have fun with it!
The Incredibles
We spent quite a bit of time on this one again, and WOW — it has made a lot of progress.
Remember: You do NOT need to get all the notes! Perfection is not expected.
What I want is for you to play bravely. Even if a note is wrong, play it like you mean it and it will come across fantastically.
NO ONE WILL KNOW! 😄
This is especially true for Parts 2 and 4 in measures 11–12. We need the eighth-note rhythm there much more than we need every correct note. If necessary, just play your first note repeatedly in eighth notes. That will work just fine!
Special kudos to our Parts 4 and 5 folks in the last half of the piece. That is a lot of notes, and you are pulling it off beautifully!
Finally, Parts 1 and 2 at measure 63: Hold your notes and crescendo all the way to the end of the measure. We need to finish 63 strong and precise so that the silence in measure 64 really has an impact.
🌟 The Big Picture
Overall, things are sounding amazing.
We have really good balance right now — I can hear all the parts — and, even better, I can hear the confidence coming through.
Keep playing bravely. Keep watching. Keep listening to one another. And most importantly, keep having fun with it!
🎼 For Next Week
Warm-up Chorale III
The Incredibles
Blue Rock
Fandango Festival
Wipe Out
Champion
America the Beautiful
Alamo
Dance of the Magyars
🎺 September 14 Showcase
Our showcase selections, in no particular order:
The Star-Spangled Banner
Celebration for Winds
Dance of the Magyars
Raiders March
The Incredibles
Blue Rock
America the Beautiful
Champion
Wipe Out
Alamo
Fandango Festival
Beginners Rock!
Pirates of the Caribbean
And one important reminder...