That's Not A Word
- Sharayah: So when you hear the clarinets crescendo, come in with your tuning note. Clarinets, that means your crescendo has to be audible.
- Clarinet Student: What's audible?
- Sharayah: Hearable.
- Clarinet Student: That's not a word.
- Sharayah: That's why I said audible.
- In high school band class...
- Sharayah: Trumpet Player, what are you doing?
- Trumpet Player: I'm looking at my tongue. Don't you ever do that?
- Sharayah: No.
- Trumpet Player: That's weird. Why not?
- Sharayah: Yeah, I thought 5th grade was going to win for weirdest thing in class this year, but it just might be you.
- I gave a few solos to one of my bass clarinet students because I want him to play for solo contest this year. I checked in with him a few days later.
- Sharayah: Did you look at those solos?
- Bass Clarinet Player: Yeah, a little bit.
- Sharayah: So is that going to be doable?
- Bass Clarinet Player: Maybe?
- Sharayah: March?
- Bass Clarinet Player: *marches in place*
- Sharayah: ... No, I mean the contest is in March. Will four months be enough time?
- Bass Clarinet Player: Oh. Maybe.
- I had no idea I had so much power. I like this.
Midnight Mission by Brian Balmages (as the announcer will tell you…this is how a lot of band music comes)
My jr. high band is working on this. Being called “Midnight Mission” and with the woodblock ticking in the background, to me it sounds like sneaking through the house for a midnight snack, right? That’s sort of fun for jr. high, right? I’m sure they can relate and play it in character. Actually, this is what the composer has to say about the piece:
This work holds a special place in my heart as all three movements are related to my son, Jacob. The first movement was written when my wife and I were thinking about the possibility of having our first child. The second movement was written while my wife was pregnant. And the final movement was written when Jacob was 10 weeks old (thus, the title!). I chose to dedicate a piece to him at such an easy level because it would be one of the first pieces he would be able to play should he choose to embark on the same crazy musical journey that his parents have chosen.
What the poo?! So I’m basically teaching a piece to my jr. high band that’s about the composer having sex with his wife. Why does it sound sneaky and like you’re racing the clock? Maybe I don’t want the answer to that question. This means I have to BS the program notes. And lie to my students. Bah!
My request was approved by the bookkeeper! It’s like Christmas!
