My Recent Arranging Work

I've arranged a couple of short bits of music lately that I think came out pretty well. The first I'd like to share is an arrangement of the hymn "Be Still, My Soul" for woodwind quartet. The music is from Jean Sibelius' tone poemFinlandia, which has this lovely theme that is often excerpted. Here is my version, using synthesized flute, clarinet, bassoon, and horn. The live version will be heard at a church function this spring.

Finlandia by DeerfieldBand

Later this week, I'll share the "double reed fantasia" that we performed during Jazz Night last week.

Vintage Keyboards

Mental_Floss is a fascinating magazine and website that is chock-full of trivia and odd information. Recently I came across a blog posting on the site that highlights some vintage electric keyboards that we have mentioned at various times in Music Theory and Jazz Band. Since we're beginning to work on "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" in JB, we've been listening to a lot of Fender Rhodes piano parts. So, check out this and other cool 'boards here.

One keyboard they didn't mention is the Hohner Clavinet. When you play any electric keyboard or synthesizer today, you can find it immortalized with the patch setting "Funky Clavi." Its sound is unlike any other--you'll probably recognize it as the intro to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," which you can watch him play on Sesame Street below:

I have very fond memories of the Fender Rhodes--I was in a 6-piece jazz rock band in high school called "Motel Six." Whenever we gigged, we borrowed the Rhodes from Glenbrook South HS (thanks, Mr. Pappas) and carted it off in Jim Grimson's mini-station wagon. Alexis Mitchell played everything from old standards to Blues Brothers using that keyboard (she had perfect pitch and photographic memory, and later taught Rahm Silverglade piano lessons--small world!).

Wednesday Morning Playlist

In the winter and early spring, my early morning runs are often indoors, around a .10 mile track at my health club. I'm always accompanied by my iPod, because the piped-in adult contemporary music is less than inspiring. Currently, I've got about 500 some-odd tracks to rotate through, mostly classic rock with a couple of worldbeat and jazz surprises to keep me interested. Lately, I've been playing a game in which I put the player on "shuffle," and every time I complete a lap, I bump it ahead to the next track. That way, I only hear 48 seconds of each tune, but I get to hear dozens of them over my run.

Today's playlist was particularly well varied. It made me think about all the sources I have to thank for my different tastes and discoveries in music. So, I've numbered the tracks and cross-referenced them below with a shout out to my influences.

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Long time, no blog...

Yes, I've been very behind in posting the goings-on of the DHS band program. Suffice to say, it's been quite busy around here. Highlights since my last post:

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Al Spriester Obituary

The obituary for former DHS Director of Bands Al Spriester can be found here. The DHS band will be involved in his memorial service on April 14. Details to be announced.

Jazz Band Goings-On

We've been very busy in our early bird Jazz Band class as of late. We are preparing for the "Night of Saxophone" concert on Thursday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. In addition to our Supersax arrangement of Charlie Parker's "Au Privave," the students have chosen to tackle the bebop standard "Lady Bird" by Tadd Dameron. We're going to learn how to voice out an arrangement for our 8-part horn line.

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A Night of Saxophone

On Thursday, March 22, the Deerfield High School Bands will present a “Night of Saxophone,” featuring guest artist Susan Fancher. She will perform the Concerto for Soprano Saxophone by Michael Torke with the DHS Wind Ensemble. Deerfield High School is a member of a consortium of seven high schools and universities from around the country that commissioned a special band arrangement of the concerto. This performance will mark the Chicago-area premiere of the arrangement.

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