Becoming a Better Individual Musician,...
The Plano Band Way
PRIORITY OF LISTENING
Tone - Is every note your best, most beautiful sound?
Time(Rhythm) - If you can't play in time with yourself, then you won't make a great ensemble player!
Pitch Accuracy - If you can't play the correct notes and play in tune with yourself, then you won't make a great
ensemble player!
Musicianship and Style - Only those people that play with correct, clean articulations, excellent sense of phrasing,
and exaggerated, dramatic dynamics will shine!
For musicians, quantifying what we do does not require much for much of what we do comes from the heart and that, for us musicians, is good enough. However, there is beauty and power in the
empirical information we get from what we play. The balance of knowing why music works means we must know how music works. Music analysis helps provide such a definition. The
simplest method is to present what is there in its most basic of terms. The following represents some of the principles the Plano Band recommends its musicians become well versed
in when it comes to learning their solo literature.
The Not-So-Obvious-Obvious Things to Practice (Non-Musical Poise Points)
Walking slowly and with confidence to your playing area
Carrying your instrument and music, scripted
Preparing your instrument/yourself in playing position, carefully and slowly
Nodding to the pianist to begin
Floating slowly while playing
Having a still, silent moment after the last note (long enough to say: "My, wasn't that lovely"
Smile at your audience
Take a bow; slow enough to check both of your shoe laces or quality of foot apparel
Match student aptitude and experience to assignment; challenging yet attainable.
Consider past preparation and achievement.
Ensemble Preparation
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be
accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of
performers with one performer to a part. The word "chamber" signifies that the music can be performed in a small
room, often in a private salon with an intimate atmosphere. However, it usually does not include, by definition,
solo instrument performances.
Because of its intimate nature, chamber music has been described as "the music of friends." For more than 200 years,
chamber music was played primarily by amateur musicians in their homes, and even today, when most chamber music performance
has migrated from the home to the concert hall, there are still many musicians, amateur and professional, who continue to
play chamber music for their own pleasure. Playing chamber music requires special skills, both musical and social, which
are different from the skills required for playing solo or symphonic works.
Ensemble Experience - The Plano Band Way - Members are assigned into an ensemble, generally within their respective band class.
Wednesdays afterschool serve as chamber music time for most of the wind chamber ensembles. At times, because of scheduling parameters, different days or times are scheduled to offer an
experience conducive to the objective set forth by the Plano Band program. These ensembles meet for 30 minutes with a professional musician serving as their coach. Within the week,
the ensembles are required to meet on their own in addition to their time with their ensemble coach.
Ensemble Assignments - The Plano Band policy is to create a positive, musically nurturing, artistic environment with
ensemble members of similar musical aptitudes. Consideration must be given to any governing parameters such as festival or contest
required repertoire music list. For example, a UIL sanctioned event requires all music be part of their prescribed music list.
Part Assignments
Assign such that musical requirements find fruition effectively and artistically.
Match student aptitude and experience to assignment; challenging yet attainable.
Consider past preparation and achievement.
Ensemble Objectives
Develop effective group dynamic skills.
Foster fundamental performance skills, excellence, and achievement in chamber ensemble setting.
Develop preparation skills and work ethic with positive attitude- regardless of demand
Precision in ensemble playing, sensitivity, and musicality such as dynamics, phrasing, intonation, and tempo.
Show flexibility in versatility, interpretation, reading, and memorization when acceptable.
Functionality with/without a conductor, professionalism in stage presence and concert etiquette.
Rehearsals (Group) v. Practice (Individual)
Treat every rehearsal as a professional experience
Arrive well prepared and responsible for your contribution.
Your responsibility to the group:
1. Punctuality
2. Know your part, have your music
3. Have your instrument in good working order
4. Have a pencil
5. Contribute a positive attitude and a seriousness of purpose
Work with each other's schedules and agree to a consistent schedule.
Be pro-active in finding recordings of any literature being prepared. Have listening sessions.
Learn to communicate visually and support each other in performance. No counting off to start ensemble.
All distributed music is an original. Students or ensemble coaches are
responsible for upkeep of music. Students or ensemble coaches will
order and purchase any replacement music.
Return all music as requested
Police your rehearsal area. Assure that area is clean and chairs/stands are
put back into place.
Have fun making music and gaining confidence,...The Plano Band Way!
Attitude
A professional attitude consists of arriving with a specific purpose in mind, quiet attention to rehearsal instructions,
enthusiasm for the task at hand, having a pencil at every rehearsal, and demonatrating a courteous demeanor towards your
colleagues. The aforementioned equates your value as a member of a group dynamic.
Concert Dress
Appropriate dress will be discussed preceding each performance. Generally, performers dress in quality garments - slacks, shoes, socks, and shirt with a collar.
No tennis shoes, ball caps, jeans, tee shirts, athletic wear, or clothing with large logos.
Concert/Performance Call Times
Once decided upon, all ensemble members need to respect and adhere to the call time, regardless of personal schedule. The success of the performance is predicated on its ensemble
members united in purpose from the onset of the performance experience. All members are responsible for being in attendance during the full duration of the performance
which includes pre and post concert. Any equipment utilized in the performance needs to be returned to its rightful place regardless of post-event activities.
