July 20 Director’s Notes
🌟 Fantastic rehearsal!
Progress is definitely being made!
I took a few quick thumbs up/thumbs down comfort polls throughout rehearsal, and it was exciting to see that most of you are feeling increasingly comfortable with your parts. 🎉
For those of you who aren’t feeling comfortable yet—stick with it! Remember:
● 🎵 Play the notes you can.
● 🎵 Wrong notes are always welcome.
● 🎵 Perfection is never expected.
Try to enjoy where you are in your musical journey right now. Progress comes with time, and every rehearsal moves us a little farther forward.
🎼 Three Chorales No. 2
We kicked off rehearsal with our new warm-up, Three Chorales – No. 2. It was a fun way to begin the morning, and I think it’s going to become a great addition to our rehearsals.
🏄 Wipe Out
Our comfortable tempo today was around ♩ = 140, up from about 120 when we first started working on this piece. That’s wonderful progress!
🏆 Champion
Today we focused on dynamics and articulations, especially around Letter H.
🎉 Fun idea: If you happen to have any noisemakers lying around at home, feel free to bring them for the “block party” section. It could add a little extra excitement!
🇺🇸 America the Beautiful
We spent time playing the piece as the arranger intended, rather than the version we’re all used to hearing.
We attempted a tempo of ♩ = 120, but gradually slowed as we played.
One visualization that may help: imagine you’re performing this in a Fourth of July parade. A marching band can’t slow its steps just because the music is lyrical—and neither should we! Let’s keep the music moving forward with confidence.
🇭🇺 Dance of the Magyars
This piece is really coming along nicely!
We played it around ♩ = 140, and we were just barely hanging on to a steady tempo—which is exactly the kind of challenge that helps us improve.
One important reminder: Please mark the repeat before Letter C, returning to measure 45. It’s a very easy repeat to miss.
🦸 The Incredibles
This piece has turned out to be a bit more challenging than I originally anticipated, but you are all doing an excellent job!
Please pay special attention to the transition at measure 51. The band holds the half note before 51, then the percussion and I begin immediately at measure 51 in 4/4 time. I won’t be giving a preparatory beat there, so keep your eyes up.
I’m especially impressed with how well you’re handling the rhythms and notes.
If the fast passages feel overwhelming, remember one of our favorite Open Door Band strategies:
➡️ Just play the first note of each measure—or even the first note of each beat.
That is completely acceptable, and it helps keep you with the ensemble while building confidence.
🌊 Go With the Flow
We played this at a much more energetic tempo today—around ♩ = 140—and it really brought the spirit of the piece to life!
🎬 Raiders March
We wrapped up rehearsal with a quick run-through of Raiders March.
🎵 For Next Week
Our planned rehearsal order is:
● Chorale No. 1
● Dance of the Magyars
● Champion
● Celebration for Winds
● America the Beautiful
● Wipe Out
● Pirates of the Caribbean
● The Incredibles
● Beginners Rock! (I mean it this time… 😄)
📅 Looking Ahead
For all you planners…
🎉 Our next Showcase is September 14!
After the showcase we’ll enjoy a two-week break, then return on October 5.
We’ll kick off an all-new music set as we begin preparing for our Christmas Showcase on December 14. 🎄🎶
Thanks again for another fantastic rehearsal. It is such a pleasure watching each of you grow as musicians. Every week the band sounds a little stronger, a little more confident, and a little more musical. Keep practicing, keep smiling, and most importantly…
Have fun! 😊