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Benefits of thematic programming
Explore composers' responses to an idea in depth and breadthDeepen players' and audiences' connection to the musicFocusses marketing efforts and capture new audiencesOpportunities for collaboration and cross-curricular linksOpportunities for creativity and non-musical elements in performanceHow to create a themed program
Specific themes vs. Broad ThemesExample program & extra-musical elementsMake a huge list of related works then cull it downUse techniques discussed in prior episodes to create shape of programDownload the full details of themed programs including program notes, list of works, photos and non-musical elements:
The Sound of ArtAn Invitation to the Dance including Death by Tango (Soundcloud) by Edward FairlieBeyond the StarsAction Steps
Pick a theme and find 5 pieces that fit the themeWrite down who is the target audience for this theme and 5 places you could advertise to this audiencePick one image that could be the program coverShare your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction
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Discerning quality and appropriateness when selecting music.
What does artistic excellence look and sound like?
ExpectationsForm, shape & designOrchestration & densityStyleDevelopmentIdiomMusical validityAppeal & interest to players, audience and usBeing the adult in the room - training musical palates rather than panderingDownload the Determining Excellence Checklist
Blog post: Why can't the kids pick their own music? {LINK to blog}
Stephen Budiansky's Washington Post article: The kids play great, but that music...
How to develop your own discernment and taste
Getting out of the rehearsal roomListening beyond your ensemble/genreListening to great (and bad!) performancesListen outside classical musicMusical Inspiration for Conductors (Youtube playlist)
Appropriateness
How to listenWhere to listenHow to select music that is appropriate for your:
EnsembleOccasionAudienceDownload the Determining Appropriateness Checklist
Action Steps
Select a work that is new to you and assess its artistic excellence using the checklist.Select an upcoming performance in your calendar. Assess the work from Step 1 for its appropriateness to that event using the checklist.Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction
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4 best sources for quality repertoire and how to use them
1. Repertoire lists
State lists & festival listsTeaching Music Through Performance Comprehensive List (2019) - Band, Orchestra & ChoirFrank Ticheli's List in the MBM Times MagazinesBest Music for High School Band (book)Best Music for Young Band (book)World Association for Symphonic Bands & EnsemblesTim Reynish (UK Conductor)2. Member-contributed content sites
Windrep.orgBand Directors Facebook Group3. A shortlist of quality publishers (not the usual suspects!)
Brolga Music Publishing (Australia)Maecenas Music (UK)Piles Music (Spain)Manhattan Beach Music (USA)Bandquest - American Composer's Forum (USA)Windependence - Boosey & HwakesFJH Music (US)Grand Mesa Music (US)C Alan Publications (US)G&M Brand (UK)Barnhouse (US)DeHaske/Amstel (Europe)Bravo Music (Japan)4. Self-published composers
Steven BryantMichael MarkowskiJodie BlackshawJames StephensonTemplate for your own repertoire list
4 do's and don'ts of researching repertoire
Don't just research pieces and composers you already knowDon't just listen to one recordingDo listen all the way throughDo look at the scoreAction Steps
Start your own repertoire list. Download the template and start entering pieces you've done and pieces you're considering for your ensemble.Visit a publisher you haven't heard of before and go through the detective process. Select a piece you don't know that's at your ensemble's level and listen through with the score. Add it to your repertoire list.Share your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction
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The shape, arc and drama of our performance determines the audience's experience.
How to structure a concert
What is the emotional arc of the performance?How do you want the audience to feel?Engaging the audience from (before) the first noteTransfigured Night - Norwegian Chamber Orchestra (YouTube video)
Completing The Circle - Considerations for Change in the Performance of Music, Bud Beyer (book)
Methods for planning the shape of a concert
Using playlists to plan transitionsCommon pitfalls in concert sequencingDownload the Concert Shapes Inspiration PDF
Action Step
Take music you have already selected for a performance. Write the titles on small pieces of paper. Play with the different orders of pieces. Draw a shape of the emotional journey of the concert for each different program order.Share your action step with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction
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A great program, like a memorable meal, has variety and balance.
Elements to consider when creating balance and contrast
StyleDurationTempoKeyHistorical PeriodFormVolume/DynamicTechnical VarietyEmotional ContentNarrative ContentChef's Table (Netflix)
Download the Balanced Program ChecklistStrategies for selecting a balanced program
Starting with a key pieceFilling slots by genreAction Steps
Select one key piece you'd like to program. Select two more pieces that balance and contrast with it, using the criteria discussed.Find and listen to two pieces for your ensemble by composers you've never heard beforeShare your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction
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When you select appropriate repertoire, you can make real music in every rehearsal.
8 common ensemble problems caused by repertoire choice and how to avoid them
Low student engagementLow teacher engagementSlow rehearsal pace/progressUrgent rehearsal paceStudent's can't play the musicIt just sounds bad!Persistent areas of weakness/lack of developmentPoor student retention in ensembles or music programThe 80/20 rule for choosing repertoire at the right level for your group
Selecting achievable repertoire so you can make real music faster.Action Steps
Look at your list of repertoire you have planned to program (or a past concert program). Put a '?' next to all the pieces that are in the '20' category (or are just too hard). Is it 80/20?Find one new piece that fits the '80' category for your ensembleShare your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction
Keep on learning!
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Why repertoire selection is important
We discuss:
How repertoire forms the basis of the teaching and learning that goes on in our rehearsalsHow repertoire communicates what we value as educatorsHow this may be our musicians' only exposure to this genre of musicSetting Musical Goals
The importance of planning a year aheadThe impact of setting long, medium and short term goalsWhere is your ensemble now? What skills do they currently have?Where do you want them to be in 12 months?What skills do they currently have?What skills & knowledge do they need to build to progress to the next ensemble or their next destination (college, community, music advocate/appreciator)Where are they at now? Making A Skills Inventory
Download the Yearly Skill Development Planner Template and and fill it out for your ensemble!
How to inventory the incoming skills and abilities of the ensemble across 6 areas:
Musical - technical skills (keys, dynamics, rhythms etc), theoretical knowledgeEnsemble - internal pulse, intonation, balance, blendListening - balance, blend, knowing how and where to listenHuman - communication within ensemble, constructive feedbackBehavioural - attentional control, not playing/speaking over others, concert etiquette, presentation skillsLife Skills & Knowledge - attitude, perseverance, confidence, performance under pressureWhere do you want to go? Setting Long to Short Term Goals
Set long term goals for your ensembles for the end of the yearPlot backwards from one year in the future to nowScaffold skill development from Point A to Point BCreating Your Performance Calendar
Download the Performance Calendar Template
Add Performance details - date, venue, context, audience, music neededAdd in rehearsal schedule - how many rehearsals for each performance, beware overlap between performances, public holidays, time between performances, special eventsProgress Accelerators - rehearsal camps, extended rehearsals, tours, contests, honor bands, workshops, guest cliniciansProgress Decelerators - academic exams/testing/assessment, public holidays, snow days, emergencies, illness periods eg. winter, holiday periods, breaks between rehearsalsAdd in musical goals - allow buffer room, be ready to perform at least one rehearsal earlier than you think you should, have non-performance elements ready at least 2 rehearsals before the performanceBenefits of this process:
No surprises!Always being prepared for each performance (both you and the ensemble!)Build in contingencies for common issuesMonitor progress throughout the year - keep track of where you areKnow at a glance where you are at any point in the yearACTION STEPS
Download the Yearly Skill Development Planner Template and fill it out for your ensemble/sDownload the Performance Calendar Template and fill it out for your ensemble/sShare your action steps with us on Instagram! Take a photo or screen shot, tag us @conductingartistry and use hashtag #conductingartistryinaction
Keep on learning!
Check out our blog, resources and courses at ConductingArtistry.com
Follow us on Instagram
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