Crossroads South Symphonic Band & Jazz Ensemble Blog

This post is a Thank You to all of the music students who put together, planned and attended the “Good-Bye Party” for me this afternoon. It was a big surprise and was much appreciated.

Thank you for the gifts, cards, notes and most of all the “Best Symphonic Band Teacher Award”.

I’m very proud of you all and I wish you the best of luck next year.

Have a great summer and keep practicing!

~Mr. Sears

Post a comment of what you feel music is!

Here is an example from a student.

Music is sounds. Music is a song. Music is an emotion.

~ Mr. Sears

Congratulations to Ms. Carenza for completing her student teaching experience here at Crossroads South!

If you would like to post a note/message of thanks to Ms. Carenza, you may do it so here on the Symphonic Band blog site.

I know she would appreciate it and enjoy hearing from you all.

~  Mr. Sears

Here is a link to an online tuner. Click on the link below.

Online Tuner

~ Mr. Sears

There are 23 Days until Hershey. We will begin passing off our music during next weeks music lessons. You may also come down during Activity Period to practice for pass offs.

~ Mr. Sears

Sentimental Journey

http://www.jwpepper.com/10005191.item

http://www.halleonard.com/audio/07470689.mp3

In the Zone

http://www.jwpepper.com/2702651.item

http://www.halleonard.com/audio/07470683.mp3

Rumba Latina

http://www.jwpepper.com/10066746.item

http://www.alfred-music.com/player/JazzBand2009/30611/player.html?osCsid=95d1b63c3107433b1034659a985ab26a

If you have any questions about any of our songs from Symphonic Band / Jazz Ensemble, post them here and I will answer them asap!

Have a great Spring Break

~Mr. Sears

Here is the professional recording of Aeolian Winds by John F. Edmunds. Take a listen to our next Symphonic Band song.

~ Mr. Sears

 AEOLIAN WINDS (Professional Recording): Play Now | Play in Popup

Here is the professional recording of “The Forge Of Vulcan”. Take a listen and post some comments. I hope you like it, because it’s going to take a lot of practice.

~Mr. Sears

p.s. – Can you hear the trash can and drum break section solo? Can you hear the clapping and sssshhhhhhh sound effect?

 The Forge Of Vulcan (Professional Recording): Play Now | Play in Popup

Thank you to all current and past members of the Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble for successfully contributing and posting 600 threads/comments to our blog this year.

Let’s keep listening, questioning, discussing and posting as we prepare for our upcoming spring concert and Hershey Park music festival.

Congrats!!!!!!!

~ Mr. Sears

Post your favorite musical artists/bands?

Why are they your favorite?

~ Mr. Sears

Here is the professional recording of our song Carpathia. Can you hear the performers rumbling feet that depict the vessel’s massive vibrations, hissing sounds that represent the rapidly overheating boiler and the ships bell?

Listen to the recording and post a comment.

What do we need to do to sound like the professional recording?

Name 5 things. (At least three of your suggestions must include measure numbers)

*by posting you will receive 1 extra point on your assessment of Carpathia 1-34

~ Mr. Sears

 Carpathia (Professional Recording): Play Now | Play in Popup

A SONG OF HOPE – professional recording

Click here to listen!!!!!

~ Mr. Sears

Take a Listen

Post and let me know what you think of our new jazz chart.

~ Mr. Sears

Click below!!!!

Jazz PBS Kids

New York Philharmonic Kidzone

San Francisco Symphony Kids

Post your comments on the links!!!!

~Mr. Sears

Post your music questions for the song Metropolis.

~Mr. Sears

Here is a professional recording of the Concert B-Flat & E-Flat Chorales that we are working on in Symphonic Band. Listen to the recording for the moving lines vs. the support.

~ Mr. Sears

 Concert B-Flat Chorale (Professional Recording): Play Now | Play in Popup

 Concert E-Flat Chorale (Professional Recording): Play Now | Play in Popup

Here is a professional recording of Metropolis, our first Symphonic Band song. Take a listen! Post your comments or questions!

~ Mr. Sears

 Metropolis (professional recording): Play Now | Play in Popup

~ Mr. Sears

Attention all percussion players

Here is a picture of a snare drum at Brunswick Acres with a visual of where you should specifically be playing the snare drum at each dynamic level. Very Cool!  ~Mr. Sears 

Congrats on a great performance!

~ Mr. Sears 

Take a listen to “four” from the LIVE IN NEW YORK Miles Davis and John Coltrane album.

This album was originally released in 1958.

Can’t wait to see your comments on this one.

Hope you like it,

~ Mr. Sears

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup

This is Arturo Sandoval performing Colors of the Wind.

~Mr. Sears

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup

Please post the order that you think we should perform our three musical selections for Hershey 2009 and why!

Here is an example

1. Song 

2. Song 

3. Song

I put our songs in this order because……….

Can’t wait to see your posts. ~ Mr. Sears

Here is the recording of Green Onions!   

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup

Here are two recordings of my favorite versions of our next jazz chart. The professional jazz musicians are Sonny Rollins and Joshua Redman. Both are great musicians. Take a listen and respond with your thoughts on these different versions of our next chart. ~ Mr. Sears 

 Joshua Redman: Play Now | Play in Popup

 Sonny Rollins: Play Now | Play in Popup

The Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble Blog site has hit 500 posts/comments!Keep checking back for more posts!~Mr. Sears  

Here is the photo of the street telling pedestrians to look right or left!Big Ben!!!!

Today is the first day of the International Research In Music Education Conference here at the University of Exeter. Keep practicing and check back for more posts soon.

~Mr. Sears

Congrats on the Festival and here is a recording of your new chart……..Green Onions!  ~Mr. Sears 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup

 A Symphonic Band student sent me this! Here are some anagrams for you to unscramble.

(Hint-music)

RUT TEMP

ON BOG

CLEAR TIN

I TIP MAN

Good Luck,

 ~ Mr.Sears

Here is the professional recording of our Jazz Ensemble performing at the Princeton Jazz Festival. 

Post some feedback in support of a great jazz performance.

~Mr. Sears 

 Princeton Jazz Festival - Milestones: Play Now | Play in Popup

 Princeton Jazz Festival - Speak Low: Play Now | Play in Popup

 Princeton Jazz Festival - St. Thomas: Play Now | Play in Popup

 Thank you to the students who came down during activity period this past week to transition to playing the french horn. This is going to help out the overall balance, blend, and tone of our entire ensemble.~ Mr. Sears 

Take a minute and check out our High School’s music blog. Click on the link below or on the sidebar and take a listen.

Click Here!

Take a listen!!!!! ~ Mr. Sears

 Gateway March (Rehearsal Recording 3-17): Play Now | Play in Popup

Take a listen to the full recording of Silverbrook from today’s rehearsal vs. measures 1-107 of Silverbrook from 2-26.

What progress have we made in two weeks time?

The professional recording is also below for you to reference.

Can’t wait to hear all of your thoughts.

~ Mr. Sears  

 Silverbrook -Symphonic Band (rehearsal recording 3-17): Play Now | Play in Popup

 Silverbrook - Symphonic Band (rehearsal recording 2-26)): Play Now | Play in Popup

 Silverbrook (Professional Recording): Play Now | Play in Popup

After listening to Ashish’s Remix of Silverbrook, Nishil decided he would use the same program to create an original music piece of his own. Post a comment in support of another great job by one of our SB members creating music using technology. ~Mr. Sears

 Nishil's Original Music: Play Now | Play in Popup

Click on the video below to watch Andy McKee perform his song Drifting from his album Art of Motion. I actually first saw this video a while back on youtube and ended up buying his album. He is a truly great musician. Hope you like it!!!~Mr. Sears 

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup

We are going to go green by making sure we always play in tune!!!! 

Here is a link! Click here! 

Here is a Silverbrook Remix by one of our symphonic band members!!!!! Comment on the post with what you think of Ashish’s Remix. Mr. Sears 

 Ashish's Remix of Silverbrook: Play Now | Play in Popup

 Can’t wait to see your posts. 

Here are a few of mine:

Dippin’ Dots

Boardwalk Fries

Lightning Racer 

and Chocolate World.

  ~Mr. Sears 

Just wanted to remind everyone that you can access the blog site during activity periods at our new “Blog Station”.Tell a friend who hasn’t been here……..