A Month of Lists - Repertoire

This month, I'm going to try to fill my blog with a interesting new list every day. Some will be about the DHS band program and its history, others will be much more random. So let's get started...

Pieces Most Often Played by the DHS Bands, 1988-2012

When I find a piece that works well for a specific level of band, I like to put it in a 3-year rotation so that students are exposed to a core of quality literature. I was surprised to see what made the list, and what didn't!

8 Times
Brighton Beach March, William Latham, Gr. 3
one of my "go to" marches for the freshmen

Variations on a Korean Folk Song, John Barnes Chance, Gr. 4
a great work for teaching variation technique and East Asian music

7 Times
Havendance, David Holsinger, Gr. 4
a favorite "stretch" piece for Symphonic Band with lots of good percussion

Overture for Winds, Charles Carter, Gr. 3
the quintessential "big piece" for the freshmen

Sleigh Ride, Leroy Anderson, Gr. 4
a holiday concert favorite, from when we did holiday concerts

Suite of Old American Dances, Robert Russell Bennett, Gr. 5
a nostalgic (and virtuosic) set of 19th and early 20th century dance tunes

6 Times
Cajun Folk Dances, Frank Ticheli, Gr. 4
Chant and Jubilo, W. Francis McBeth, Gr. 3
Divertimento for Band, Vincent Persichetti, Gr. 5
Eine Kleine Nachtmusic, W.A. Mozart/Jennings, Gr. 3
English Folk Song Suite, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gr. 4
Forest Pines Overture, John O'Reilly, Gr. 3
Incidental Suite, Claude T. Smith, Gr. 4
Polly Oliver, Thomas Root, Gr. 3
Second Suite for Military Band, Gustav Holst, Gr. 4

Later this month, I'll run down the composers most often played by the DHS Bands from 1988-2012. Can you guess who is number 1?