A tour down the Niagara...in Texas
Posted on March 17, 2010 with 0 comments
It has been an absolute thrill to see my young band work "Journey down Niagara" become one of my most sold wind band pieces to date, being performed all over the state of Texas and beyond. In Texas, the work has become a focal point of UIL festival performances. For me, it has been an exciting year serving as a clinician for a number of fine high school and middle school bands performing this piece.
Last week, I worked with the third band at Mesquite High School. They were a fine band and responded well to instruction. They adapted quickly and even helped me with new ideas on how to interpret the piece. A highlight of this clinic was the opportunity to work with their director, Melissa H. Behne. We had history before we even got started as her mother was my Spanish teacher in high school...in Columbus, GA. What a pleasure it was to meet Mrs. Harding's daughter in an artistic collaboration a half a nation away here in Texas.
Next week, I am working with two middle schools on "Journey down Niagara" and cannot wait to see what they bring to the table. It looks to be a great week next week followed with a trip to Ithaca, NY for a residency with Horseheads High School and Ithaca College for the world premiere of my "Cement 13."
Last week, I worked with the third band at Mesquite High School. They were a fine band and responded well to instruction. They adapted quickly and even helped me with new ideas on how to interpret the piece. A highlight of this clinic was the opportunity to work with their director, Melissa H. Behne. We had history before we even got started as her mother was my Spanish teacher in high school...in Columbus, GA. What a pleasure it was to meet Mrs. Harding's daughter in an artistic collaboration a half a nation away here in Texas.
Next week, I am working with two middle schools on "Journey down Niagara" and cannot wait to see what they bring to the table. It looks to be a great week next week followed with a trip to Ithaca, NY for a residency with Horseheads High School and Ithaca College for the world premiere of my "Cement 13."