Who chooses the music you hear at the mall?

Want to know why you hear Skrillex when you shop for Under Armour and Tropical Punk when you're at Nordstrom's? Here's an excellent article about a highly successful DJ who is also a professional "playlister" for companies all over America. It's a fascinating look at the business side of pop music.

The article is from a blog I follow called "The Record," which is part of the National Public Radio Music site. I read a lot of their content about jazz, pop, and classical music. They also have lots of streaming audio and video to enjoy. It's a great way to stay on top of what's happening in both the mainstream and independent scenes.

DHS Band Happenings

Well, it's been a busy few weeks for the DHS Bands. Last week was our annual Fall Concert, which featured Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and our 8th graders. I thought the highlights were our performances of music by Vaughan Williams and the JB's closing number, "Rhythm-a-ning." The latter included a triple-sax battle as our soloists duked it out over rhythm changes. We were also blessed with a good sized crowd enjoying the concert.

The annual fine arts assembly was last Friday. I was so impressed with all of our students and my colleagues. We had three very different dance numbers, one of which was choreographed by a member of the Joffrey Ballet. There was a scene from INSIDE/OUT, a play co-written by eight of our theatre students and members of Buzz22 Chicago. It was a satirical look at how teenagers unknowingly invite total strangers into their personal lives through social media.

The visual art students contributed a video showcasing their work with pieces in a variety of media including photography, graphic design, sculpture, painting, drawing, and fashion design. It was very impressive. Then, of course, we had the Choraliers, Jazz Band, and Symphony Orchestra performing music from their recent concerts. All in all, it was very successful, thanks especially to the fine tech theatre students providing sound, lighting, and stage managing. I was very proud of everyone involved.

We closed the fall season with an informal performance for the grandparents yesterday during 7th period. Once again, the Choraliers sang, the Chamber Orchestra played, and the Warrior Marching Band closed the set. It was a fitting end to the grandparents' visit to DHS. Next up is a Jazz Band performance at the School Chest Benefit and the citrus delivery. Musically, we'll be heading into SB/WE units on the Baroque Era, African-American music, and chamber ensembles. The JB is learning about blues improvisation as we prepare for a presentation at the Illinois Music Educators Conference in Peoria in January. Lots to do between now and winter break!

So, as it's Thanksgiving week, I leave you with a Vince Guaraldi Thanksgiving tune from one of the old Peanuts specials. Enjoy!

Elliott Carter, 1908-2012

The Dean of American composers, Elliott Carter, has died at the age of 103. Winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, he was one of the last links to a much earlier era, as he was a protege of early American composer Charles Ives and French composition teacher Nadia Boulanger. He was a contemporary of Copland and Bernstein, and he continued to write music until his death. He wrote more than 40 pieces in his nineties, and 12 since becoming a centenarian. His last work was completed in August, and the Seattle Symphony will premiere another recent work, Instances next February. His music is decidedly modernist, full of dissonance and thorny passages, but the intrepid listener will find it to be tightly constructed and starkly beautiful.

Here is a Spotify playlist of many of his pieces. Check out Shard, Eight Pieces for Four Timpani, the Woodwind Quintet, and Two Controversies and a Conversation. There are also a number of solo pieces for wind instruments--click around and try to find your instrument.

Here is NPR's piece on Carter's career. There is also a video of his last interview, where he speaks to a young cellist about his cello sonata.