Maestro Musings
As many schools are developing plans for the upcoming school year for in-person learning, music teachers are looking for music for their ensembles to learn to play. If you’re struggling to find a show for your marching band or a piece for your concert ensemble, below are a few tips to consider when looking for music for your students to play this fall.
Keep your ensemble's musical strengths and weaknesses in mind. Always think about the younger, less experienced performers in your group so they can feel a sense of achievement after working on their part for some time. Picking slightly easier music is always a safe choice, especially for those ensembles coming off a year of distance learning. To challenge your more experienced players, look for music that has multiple parts per instrument, features specific sections, or features soloists.
If your group progresses faster than anticipated, you can keep your students engaged by covering finer musical detail, adding more music to your ensemble’s repertoire, providing solo literature for your students, or giving your ensemble additional visual responsibility. Always select music you’re confident you can teach to your ensemble, and you know your ensemble can achieve. Coming back from distance learning is going to have its fair share of obstacles for students; getting to make music together should not be one of them.
Help #InspireTheNextGeneration with new and exciting (but achievable) music for your students to come back to.
Accent
Last week we released the sixth episode of StylePlus Next Designer TV unveiling the first part of GPG Digital Design Studio Challenge. This weekend, binge watch episodes six through twelve to learn which contestants are in the lead designing the best costumes and flags for twelve GPG Music field shows. The designs are in and judging begins! The judges provide critique and feedback to the designers across the last several episodes. The panel includes StylePlus TV host Vance Anderson, DCI Phantom Regiment’s Stephanie Chavez, and Steve Martin of GPG Music. Tell us what designers you think will win on our Facebook or YouTube channels. #GPGMusic #StylePlus