Band Response

1. What has been your biggest improvement this year?
My biggest improvement this year has been the amount of time I spent practicing band music. Last year I barely ever practiced band music but this year, due to the “blogging” we are doing, I was forced to and I really think it showed. At first, senior band was a bit overwhelming as the music was such a step up from last year, but as I kept playing and practicing the music I got better and by the end of it had no problem keeping up. Practicing makes such a big difference that I never quite realized and I will be sure to do it next year. At first I was upset about having to blog but overall I think it really improved my playing and helped me be a better flute player.

2. What is the area you most struggle with?
The area I most struggle with would have to be the really quick sections with lots and lots of sixteenth notes. Examples of this are 199-end that we played for our playing section of the band requirements. Especially when these sections are high, they are quick and it can be tough to get all the notes in. Also, the notes are so close together that sometimes they can be hard to read. I definitely need to work on these areas and find as I practice these sections SLOWLY I can get them down, but it definitely takes a bit of work!

3. What was your greatest musical highlight this year and why?
My greatest musical highlight this year would have to be playing “Rumble on the High Planes” at the Spring Concert. It may not have been the best we ever played it, but you could tell everyone was emotional, including Mr. Stevenson, as it was many people’s last year. It was so emotional as the percussion continued to get louder and louder at the end and when I went in to play I felt so proud to have played for Oakridge and so happy to have played for Mr. Stevenson! At the end of that song, It really felt like the band was a family, everyone crying together and playing a fantastic song together.

4. What areas do you feel the band accelerates at and what areas do we struggle with? Give examples.
Areas I feel the band accelerates at are percussion, for obvious reason. We have a very well stacked percussion and the never let the band down (other than possibly playing a little too loud in Rumble!!!). The band is excellent at showing a balance, and dynamics, and overall we just have a really nice sound. The “ending” section of Rumble is a prime example of this. Our brass section is powerful and our flute section is light and beautiful. Areas we need to work on are accents, especially from trumpets from songs like Chillers (Darth Vader’s theme). The trumpets sound good, but if they could all get that little bit more of articulation they would sound phenomenal. The saxophone’s need to work on their confidence and being loud as they play. The flutes also need to work on articulation and not sounding to shrill on entries, like in Rosymedre.