Hi everybody,
Congratulations to everyone on a successful year and on your spring performances. Also, I did have a chance to see many of your performances at MusicFest Canada at York University a few weeks back - BRAVO! In this June's edition of my teacher updates, I've talked about:
- 2025 Festival ReCap - The VIBE
- Cosmo Music
- A few new picks from Alfred Music
- Trombone Slurring - its a pain in the embouchure
- Does everyone know that Essential Elements Books have totally changed/there is a new edition and the old ones are gone?
- The Carrot - the shift!
- The IMI Program /TDSB proposed cuts, The Bayview SS Rep Credits, and The Regina Schools Cuts- please circulate the petitions!!
- The GHMF has started our fundraising campaign - PLEASE HELP!
2025 FESTIVAL RECAP - THE VIBE
A little over a year ago, I recall receiving a text from a teacher friend who is on this mailing list - saying that he could tell my comments were very “tongue in cheek”. This was in reference to me UNLOADING about festival standards and ratings (after having gone through 3 festivals and a fair number of survey responses/email dialogues). Sigh.
For those of you who saw that rant (and if you didn’t, CLICK HERE), I will do my best NOT to repeat myself. Summary: the standard went up again, and the ratings reflected that.
The push for excellence has become a real thing again. It had stopped for years and now, there are thousands upon thousands of students who are ALL-IN on this pursuit. And they are FOCUSED - some are LASER focused. I am speaking about the two OBA non-competitive festivals - there is no “title”, ranking/prize…there is a rating but more importantly there is 25 minutes of valuable time. Students used this time to listen, interpret, understand, deliver their comprehension, and GROW.
I was absolutely NOT in the clinic sessions for all 325 bands who performed over the 2 weeks, but I was around the majority of the 13000 students at one point or another.
I really did not see many behaviour “things”. Like, VERY few. I have to admit, as an organizer, I basically put on a coat of arms every morning and remind myself to breathe before addressing a group of students who are acting like complete DORKWADS in the hallway (or worse, in the audience of another band’s performance)....But, It just didnt happen. The kids were being kids, which is fine. But, this year, they were being SUPREME Band Geeks (like our infamous OBA T-shirts say). They were excited about warm up, excited and suddenly QUIET and nervous about performance on the stages…and then they were polite, and focused (and helpful) when it came time to move to the clinic, and participate (and LISTEN, and NOT TALK while the clinician was teaching).
But the best part? They left the clinics talking about what had just happened in the clinic room. There were lightbulbs, more ideas, excitement - and inspiration. I actually heard kids talking about their next rehearsal and a few things that they wanted to try out!!!
The Culture and the new/revitalized tradition of the band performance festival IS BACK. It was an important and substantial year - and now, our first world problem is to find MORE slots for MORE bands to perform, which ultimately involves MORE kids in performance! (see the continuation of these thoughts below in "THE CARROT")
COSMO - A COMPETITOR'S PERSPECTIVE ON THIS GOODBYE
I spent 23 years competing against Cosmo Music. Whether it was for customers or staff - in one way or the other, that silent rivalry was always present. In my early years in the industry, Cosmo’s presence was very interesting to me. I have only ever looked at the retailers and vendors through a school band person’s lens. From my first tour of the Newkirk store in early 2002 (Thanks Scott) until their impending move in 2007-2008, I always found the outside/school sales system/team to be impressive. It was obviously bigger than anything I was used to seeing (at the time, I was at LM and there were one or two outside reps for all of Ontario). To see all of these people in their special vans packed FULL of Yamaha band instruments was cool. I knew that school services/teachers and students were a priority for their business.
And then BOOM, 2008. The MEGASTORE. At first, I was totally pre-occupied and I missed the whole thing. You see, LM had also just opened their first MEGASTORE on Terminal Avenue in Vancouver, and I was tasked with outfitting the performance music section, going out for reading clinics, product training etc. I started to get emails and photos of something which looked like an entire shopping mall, but with ONLY music instruments and books. It was SO FASCINATING
It took me until 2009 to physically get myself there. And like many of us, that first time….well, I was speechless. I was quick to compare it to Terminal Ave but the truth is, the two mega music stores are like apples and oranges (other than the schools of music/studio spaces, both on the second floor , and both with huge student rosters).
The very first thing I saw when I walked in were parents, sipping coffee and waiting for their children’s lessons to finish up, and many of them were buying music themed giftware (because it was a great way to kill time). Some of the others were browsing in the different separated departments. People were in the sheet music store, sitting on big comfy chairs and flipping through piano music. Others were staring at all of the guitars on the wall. There was a really strong EDUCATIONAL vibe in that building, I felt it right away and it reminded me of 6 years earlier, when I was astonished about how many road reps/vans that were out there at the schools and the obvious level of priority all of this was to them. But this time, it was the parents. They were there, and THEY were engaged.
Over the next 8 years while I was downtown at Steve’s Music, other than a few staff swaps, I had two real connections to Cosmo. One was via Scott and Peter and the OMEA/CMIEC Conference committee and the other was through shared vendors/suppliers such as Hal Leonard, Alfred etc. In 2015, I went to my first CosmoFest and okay, THAT WAS AMAZING.
And then, one solemn day in early 2017….I found myself at HMS and suddenly, after all of these years…I was in a DIRECT and geographical competition with this company who I had (for lack of a better phrase) had on such a high pedestal through all of the times and experiences which I mentioned above. And quickly, I learned a few very important things: Cosmo is not only York Region’s music store - but they really are (in PA/Gear/Electronic/Professional/Digital realms especially) - Canada’s Music store.
Competing against them for school sales was fascinating in its own right. I learned very quickly about the power of ALWAYS HAVING THINGS IN STOCK when teachers need them (something which was never the case at my previous job from 2009-2016) - but the reliability of knowing that your “REP” was always going to be around at 12:00 noon on a tuesday to deliver whatever you needed, pick up and/or replace rentals or repairs, etc. HMS had the stock and the consultation all the time, while Cosmo had the reps and the regularity. I often wondered what it would look like if those two businesses were to ever align.
Then, Covid.
And now, here we are.
The landscape of this industry changed so abruptly in a span of 5 years. It was exactly 5 years ago when we were all trapped in our homes and one by one, businesses started to shutter - while others tried like hell to fight THE GOOD FIGHT for their clients and communities , and some of them still are, and are barely hanging on. But, they do this for their customers.
I want to wish everyone (the Hebert family, and all of the staff) a heartfelt thanks for not only SHAPING the Canadian Music Industry, but for your never-ending commitment to your customers and to your entire community. As cliche as it is, it REALLY was an institution and personally , as someone who only ever looked at this business from afar -in my mind - Cosmo will ALWAYS be up on that pedestal. Congratulations on an amazing 58 years and good luck to everyone as you enter the next chapter, as many of you have become esteemed LM employees already!
NEW BAND REP PREVIEW: A FEW INTERESTING PIECES FROM ALFRED/BELWIN/MAKEMUSIC
I have started the annual review process for my September "Best-Of" List for Band Repertoire - here are a few to chew on!
Grade 1-1.5
Floating - Todd Stalter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A83mdUDbvjk
This is a slightly longer multi-sectioned lyrical ¾ piece. It’s probably a Grade 1.5, and appropriate for an experienced Grade 9 Band (in Ontario) or an upper-level elementary group.
It’s melodic enough that the students may actually want to learn about slow music (lol)
Grade 2-2.5
Inspiration Fanfare - Adrian Sims (2024)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSAHa4L7a7g&t=73s
This is an uplifting piece. It’s not really a traditional fanfare. It’s an opening concert selection for sure - but it has fun teachable things: syncopated/groove based backgrounds, independent melodic movement (broken up melodies) . I see it as one of those pieces to kick the year off with a combined senior band to have them hear their success right away.
Escapade - Raymond Sifuentes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o66ny7CF51U
I’ve always loved these driving/rhythmic and slightly angry sounding pieces - the kids have to not only COUNT properly, they really need to understand how their entrances fit into a broken-up puzzle. They need to be able to clearly articulate staccatos versus the 2 note slur patterns. The percussion parts are fun and abundant. Chroasticism is alive and well.
Morning Star - Katie O’Hara LaBrie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgsMKx3xpnI
This is (overall) in B Flat, and it’s just a solid lyrical piece with relatively easy ranges, but with alot of stylistic consideration. It is a fair Grade 2 piece, perfect for a B200 festival entry.
Grade 3-3.5
Erin Go Bragh: Ireland forever - Trad arr Brant Karrick (3.5)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRx26hrvOCo
This is a cool senior band winter concert piece. Big flute solo at the beginning, beautiful middle movement (the texture especially). And, there’s a tonne of teaching all over the place, starting with passages and fingering combinations in almost every instrument which are not used every day...
TROMBONE SLURRING - WE DO NOT HAVE THE BUTTONS
I’ve been out and active as a clinician over the course of this year. In addition to my regular gig at YMCI, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting several of your programs and more and more - the discussion about trombone SLURRING has been coming up! So I thought i’d type up a little quick checklist/resource outlining MY approach to teaching and executing slurring/legato-phrased articulations on this ridiculous instrument which has no buttons (ALL THE REST OF YOU ARE JUST CHEATERS LOL)
Step 1: Choose three notes in stepwise motion which are not chromatic (ie 3 notes where the slide positions need to skip over at least one position)
So, lets use F-G-A natural (positions 1-4-2)
Step 2: in quarter notes, play the three notes using a regular tongued articulation “tu”
Step 3: Lengthen the note endings to close the gap between each note
Step 4: Move the slide rigidly and quickly between each position
Step 5: Change the “tu” to either a “du” or an “RLU”
(note: RLU is a forward sweep of the tip of the tongue along the very front portion of the upper gums at the junction of the back of the two top front teeth)
The air stoppage in between positions needs to be timed with quick and smooth slide movements.
This is the practice sequence which I give to my students, I always make sure to keep the 3 or 4 note patterns within the lower two harmonics (partials) so that they can focus on the steps above and being extremely conscious of when the glissandos are happening (and to ELIMINATE them asap)
Typically the position 1 to 4, or 1 to 6 are very common movements for them (ie both are contained in the B flat major scale) so that is a good place to start even though its also difficult!
This is a long process. I work on slurring and legato tonguing with my Grade 8 students as well as my Grade 12 and adult students (as well as MYSELF). Slurring on the trombone is a never-ending journey….please drop me a line if you’d like to chat about this/break it down further (or, if you have anything to add or if you use a totally different approach please SHARE!!)
Does everyone know that Essential Elements Books have totally changed/there is a new edition and the old ones are gone?
If your classroom has sets of "EE2000" and you've been filling up/topping up for all these years, you may be out of luck. Try to find those books on the publisher website, you won't. Call your music dealer ASAP if you need old ones, and may the force be with you
The world's leading band method just got an update! Essential Elements for Band offers beginning students sound pedagogy and engaging music, all carefully paced to successfully start young players on their musical journey. EE features both familiar songs and specially designed exercises, created and arranged for the classroom in a unison-learning environment, as well as instrument-specific exercises to focus each student on the unique characteristics of their own instrument. EE provides both teachers and students with a wealth of materials to develop total musicianship, even at the beginning stages.
Essential Elements includes free access Essential Elements Interactive (EEi), the ultimate online music education resource. EEi introduces the first-ever, easy set of technology tools for online teaching, learning, assessment, and communication... ideal for teaching today's beginning band and string students, both in the classroom and at home.
These new editions include 250+ professionally recorded videos online featuring Essential Elements educators, 50 new copyrighted pop songs available online across all levels, three new song replacements, new color photography, and much more. Best of all, new editions still work side-by-side with previous copies of Essential Elements.
$14.99 (US) PART BOOKS - Canadian retail is likely $20!!!
THE CARROT HAS CHANGED
For so many years, students and teachers have been excited about their themed concert or their end of year performance - a big reason for this, especially with the younger ones? THE CARROT. The copyright arrangement(s). Pop, Movie themes, Disney music, Broadway/Theatre arrangements.
They have worked so hard on festival repertoire, fundamentals, concepts (especially those which are transferable) and now they are excited to sit back, relax and be engaged in a different, yet more familiar way.
But wait.
They are now asking for harder legit repertoire. Suddenly , some of them are poo-poo-ing pop COMPLETELY.
They’d rather explore the genre now. There have been words tossed around like “representative literature” and “idiomatic” alongside band composer names (usually the ones being mentioned write difficult music!)
There are students already planning ahead, thinking (not only) about what they want to accomplish with their own playing over the summer, but, how they (ie their programs) can achieve excellence next year.
SOME OF THEM ARE ONLINE AND LISTENING TO NEW RELEASE BAND MUSIC AND THEY HAVE WHATSAPP GROUPS ABOUT NEW COOL PIECES TO ASK THE TEACHER ABOUT
Now, maybe this has always been happening and i’m just out of touch because I’m not in a classroom 5 days per week.
And to be fair the discussions I’ve had with students have largely been at festivals and yes, a large fraction of which, happened after a performance and adjudication.
Regardless…..as an extension of my festival vibe chat above….This is an exciting time!
BUDGET CUTS - WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?
THE ITINERANT MUSIC PROGRAM IN THE TDSB AND THE PETITION
I think we all know whats going on and I think that we all agree that this board can find five million dollars to balance themselves (if that’s even what the goal is here) from elsewhere. There have to be other areas outside of student programming where this money could come from. Without going into the rabbit hole of my thoughts on this matter - if there are any of you who have not signed, please do so and please forward this link to as many people in your sphere as possible!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE TDSB PETITION
THE BAYVIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL PETITION
The Repertoire Credit at Bayview SS is in jeopardy. This is insane, as this is a prolific program with years of tradition, legacy, and performance excellence.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE BAYVIEW SS PETITION
THE REGINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS PETITION
Some of the elementary band programs in Regina are also in trouble here due to proposed cost-saving measures by their (public board) administration.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE REGINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS PETITION
THE OBA/GHMF NEEDS YOUR HELP!
We have started our fundraising efforts for our 2026 Festival. Wow, our costs are escalating quickly and we are hoping that you may be able to help us with circulating our parent donation flyer. It is available as a PDF (with live links) - Click the link below (underneath the flyer image) Here is the donation link: CLICK HERE FOR THE DONATION PAGE
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