In this episode of Band BFFs, hosts discuss the intricate beauty of Appalachian Morning by Robert Sheldon, highlighting its melodic complexity, subtle percussion, and importance in developing soloists. They emphasize the challenges of phrasing, breath control, and ensemble balance, making this piece a great choice for both contest preparation and concert programming.

In this episode of Band BFFs, we explore three exciting pieces for band directors and musicians, focusing on winter and train-inspired music that Laura and Katie performed at the Texas Bandmasters Association Conference this past July.

1. Winterscape by Gavin Lendt (Grade 3.5): A fast-paced, dynamic winter-themed piece featuring frequent time signature changes, a split clarinet and trumpet section, and unique percussion hits. It combines nods to holiday classics like We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Carol of the Bells, making it a versatile yet challenging addition to any winter concert.
2. Spirit of Ostenaco by Jay Bocook (Grade 4): Inspired by Native American themes, this piece features rhythmic flute solos, muted trumpet passages, and engaging woodwind and percussion interactions. It captures the essence of Cherokee culture while offering various instrumental colorations and solo moments, ideal for schools looking to explore diverse repertoire.
3. Rail Riffs by Brian Balmages (Grade 4): A fun and dance-inducing piece, this grade 4 selection combines jazz, Latin grooves, and railroad-inspired motifs. With intricate percussion, a fast tempo, and infectious energy, this piece will get both performers and audiences moving. It’s a standout choice for advanced bands looking to showcase technique and style.

Tune in for our thoughts on these pieces, tips for teaching them, and insights into the performance experience!

In this episode of the Band BFS Podcast, the hosts discuss four medium-difficulty band pieces (grades 2 to 3) featured in the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA) Music Reading Clinic. The pieces include:

1. Echoes of Time by Sean O'Loughlin: This piece, in concert E-flat and marked as a grade 2.5, has an echoing effect with different instruments responding to each other. It’s heavily inspired by John Williams’ music, with an adventurous feel similar to Indiana Jones. The piece balances woodwinds and brass, making it suitable for sub-non-varsity or varsity middle school bands.
2. Always by Joshua Hobbs: A lyrical, emotional piece marked as grade 2.5. It is slow and sustained, featuring a beautiful alto saxophone solo. It offers a great opportunity to teach young bands lyrical phrasing and balance, making it ideal for younger high school or older middle school bands.
3. Apex Predator by Michael Oare: A grade 2 piece featuring mixed meter and exciting percussion parts. It represents the theme of a predator hunting its prey, starting mysteriously and building intensity through rhythmic patterns. It's well-suited for middle school top bands or non-varsity high school bands due to its dramatic, cinematic quality.
4. Wind Power by Robert Buckley: The most challenging piece, rated grade 3, is a fast-paced, wind-themed composition requiring strong technique and endurance from players. It has complex ostinatos and dynamic variations, making it a great fit for high school bands with advanced abilities, particularly for a spring concert.