March 2011 is a big month for PDF Band Music. I just added 40 solo and ensemble titles to the website which will fill a gap in our music offerings. The next step is to submit many of these compositions to state committees in an effort to get them placed on state festival lists.
The selection of Solo and Ensemble music is just beginning and I anticipate that 5 new titles will be added each month.
You would think that writing a composition for the young band would be the easiest thing for a composer. I’ve found that writing for young band (middle school or small high school) to be interesting and difficult. The difficulty is writing fluidly and creatively with a smaller musical pallet. The pallet for writing at this performance level is limited to less complex rhythmic patterns and key signatures; as well as concerns for instrument ranges. Interestingly, I think I found the right mixture of elements in “Opus in Pastel” to make this composition artistically and musically pleasing for performers and audiences. It is ballad which features the deep resonant sound of the clarinet along with French horn stating the main theme. The theme repeats in first section and is joined by a soaring counter-melody. The trumpets enter in the B section with a new theme and as this section crescendos there is and a key change. The return of the A theme is stated in the trumpet section. As the song concludes the various motifs are sounded again throughout the band. The ending chords with chime accompaniment are truly lovely sounding. I hope “Opus in Pastel” is a success. It is a delightful composition. 
Opus in Pastel
Jerry Frazier is consistently producing excellent new beginning compositions that are very playable and enjoyable for students. Each new piece is consistent in that the ranges and rhythms are playable by 1st year students. What makes Jerry’s work special is that he writes two percussion parts. One percussion part is simple and playable by the first year student. The optional percussion part will challenge the more advanced players and when played, make the compositions fuller and more enjoyable.
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Ron Judd Retires DoDDs is losing one of it’s premier music educators shortly. After 38 years Ron Judd, the music director of Rota High School, is casing his baton and moving on to North Carolina. Mr. Judd’s career in DoDDs includes assignments in Iceland; Lajes Field in the Azores; Nuernberg, Hohenfels, Wuerzburg in Germany; and Rota, Spain. He notes that after what seems like hundreds of concerts, festivals, football games, pep rallies and more playings of the Star Spangled Banner than can be counted, he is excited about living in America for the first time in many years.
Ron’s retirement will be loss for DoDDs but at same time it will be a significant gain to PDF Band Music. Ron will now have time to display his arranging and composing talents and we are excited about upcoming Ron Judd beginning band titles. Be sure to bookmark http://www.pdfbandmusic.com and to check our site often for fresh and exciting band sheet music. Regards |
This beginning band sheet music was specifically written to supplement Essential Elements 2000 method book that my beginning bands are using. In attempts to prepare my students for intermediate and advanced bands, I not only use the method book but band music as well. “My First Sheet Music” was written with the skills students have by mid-year in mind. Ranges, rhythms, expressive qualities and other elements that concert bands use are reinforced. My students really enjoy playing “My First Sheet Music” because they find it challenging yet playable. It gives my students a sense of accomplishement when they can play it well.
Tom Donaldson