JohnQuixote
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2004
- Messages
- 5,212
Whatsoever Things
Wow.
April is public school music contest season in Texas, and I am blessed to be out judging and working with High School & Junior High bands as those students present the culmination of 8 months of hard work and practice. Time is at a premium but though my plate is full - my cup runneth over with appreciation:
I’ve been privy to plenty of profound performances by young musicians in the last 2 weeks. Fans of wind literature will be familiar with the difficulty level of works such as Lincolnshire Posy, Music for Prague, the Hindemith Symphony and Rocky Point Holiday. In my university wind ensemble we trained for and approached these projects like an athlete would a decathlon. Hearing them played last week by 14-18 year-olds at a university/conservatory level of excellence and passion was inspiring beyond words.
For non band-aficionados, these are severe, traditional, iconoclast works of literature. A high school group pulling off any such classic with finesse is akin to watching a group of teenagers adeptly pilot a full rigged sailing ship, or forging battle-quality steel: The nature of the craft has not changed in generations and requires as much tenacity and skill today as it did many years ago, as well as an emotional connection with the selected music and an understanding of composer’s intent that goes far beyond notes on a page.
Of course there are groups that do not achieve so highly. Logically, the young musical ensembles that weigh in with average-to-good ratings far outnumber the elite ones at the pinnacle of success. Nevertheless, hearing a group that lacks musical skill can be very rewarding if the young musicians demonstrate enthusiasm and pride in their approach and performance: It is the process, and not the final score, that builds character.
A band I am very involved with performed “Easter Monday on the White House Lawn,” by Sousa, “Whatsoever Things” by Mark Camphouse and “Apollo Unleashed,” mvt III of Frank Ticheli’s new symphony. Camphouse’s music is all about emotion. “Whatsoever Things” is a tribute to music legend John Paynter who was Director of Bands at Northwestern University for over 40 years. It is a tone poem about his travels and teachings and incorporates thematic material that is alternately childlike, conflicted and mature. The main theme, richly presented in the low brass and French horn sections is larger than life – like the man it represents – and overwhelms the audience in a strongly moving catharsis that creates chills and lumps-in-throats a-plenty. The dramatic denouement includes a distant and ominous setting of Northwestern’s alma-mater, juxtaposed with haunting, shifting chords representing the twilight of Paynter’s life.
The greatest thing about such music, when communicated with skill and reverence, is that one need not have known Mr. Paynter to appreciate the story being told. Surely, those who know the passion with which he embraced life will wrap themselves in the moment and share the reverie and memories with the performers in a personal manner. But even if you know nothing about the man or the piece, you can be so transported by a well-performed, potent musical journey that you will be deeply and emotionally moved. Experiences like this are rich, wholesome, and profoundly human.
Appreciation for Young People
Parents, I hope that your children discover an elective activity they embrace at an early age, be it artistic, athletic, mechanical or academic. Intrinsic motivation is the most powerful deterrent we have to apathy. When young people are engaged in an activity as part of a team or group - a ‘band of brothers’ - the synergy they experience meeting goals together creates a natural high: It is a valuable replacement for non-natural highs (!)
The need to plant seeds for proper growth in fertile minds is as urgent today as it has ever been. The access our children have to bad influence is frightening and must be countered by positive endeavors: If you plant carrots you get carrots. If you plant taters you get taters.
If you plant nothing you get weeds.
It is refreshing to observe children growing into skilled, intelligent and sensitive young adults. High achievement breeds high expectations and when a group’s expectations rise together the whole may seem greater than the sum of its parts.
It’s inspiring to watch – and stirs many memories.
Wow.
April is public school music contest season in Texas, and I am blessed to be out judging and working with High School & Junior High bands as those students present the culmination of 8 months of hard work and practice. Time is at a premium but though my plate is full - my cup runneth over with appreciation:
I’ve been privy to plenty of profound performances by young musicians in the last 2 weeks. Fans of wind literature will be familiar with the difficulty level of works such as Lincolnshire Posy, Music for Prague, the Hindemith Symphony and Rocky Point Holiday. In my university wind ensemble we trained for and approached these projects like an athlete would a decathlon. Hearing them played last week by 14-18 year-olds at a university/conservatory level of excellence and passion was inspiring beyond words.
For non band-aficionados, these are severe, traditional, iconoclast works of literature. A high school group pulling off any such classic with finesse is akin to watching a group of teenagers adeptly pilot a full rigged sailing ship, or forging battle-quality steel: The nature of the craft has not changed in generations and requires as much tenacity and skill today as it did many years ago, as well as an emotional connection with the selected music and an understanding of composer’s intent that goes far beyond notes on a page.
Of course there are groups that do not achieve so highly. Logically, the young musical ensembles that weigh in with average-to-good ratings far outnumber the elite ones at the pinnacle of success. Nevertheless, hearing a group that lacks musical skill can be very rewarding if the young musicians demonstrate enthusiasm and pride in their approach and performance: It is the process, and not the final score, that builds character.
A band I am very involved with performed “Easter Monday on the White House Lawn,” by Sousa, “Whatsoever Things” by Mark Camphouse and “Apollo Unleashed,” mvt III of Frank Ticheli’s new symphony. Camphouse’s music is all about emotion. “Whatsoever Things” is a tribute to music legend John Paynter who was Director of Bands at Northwestern University for over 40 years. It is a tone poem about his travels and teachings and incorporates thematic material that is alternately childlike, conflicted and mature. The main theme, richly presented in the low brass and French horn sections is larger than life – like the man it represents – and overwhelms the audience in a strongly moving catharsis that creates chills and lumps-in-throats a-plenty. The dramatic denouement includes a distant and ominous setting of Northwestern’s alma-mater, juxtaposed with haunting, shifting chords representing the twilight of Paynter’s life.
The greatest thing about such music, when communicated with skill and reverence, is that one need not have known Mr. Paynter to appreciate the story being told. Surely, those who know the passion with which he embraced life will wrap themselves in the moment and share the reverie and memories with the performers in a personal manner. But even if you know nothing about the man or the piece, you can be so transported by a well-performed, potent musical journey that you will be deeply and emotionally moved. Experiences like this are rich, wholesome, and profoundly human.
Appreciation for Young People
Parents, I hope that your children discover an elective activity they embrace at an early age, be it artistic, athletic, mechanical or academic. Intrinsic motivation is the most powerful deterrent we have to apathy. When young people are engaged in an activity as part of a team or group - a ‘band of brothers’ - the synergy they experience meeting goals together creates a natural high: It is a valuable replacement for non-natural highs (!)
The need to plant seeds for proper growth in fertile minds is as urgent today as it has ever been. The access our children have to bad influence is frightening and must be countered by positive endeavors: If you plant carrots you get carrots. If you plant taters you get taters.
If you plant nothing you get weeds.
It is refreshing to observe children growing into skilled, intelligent and sensitive young adults. High achievement breeds high expectations and when a group’s expectations rise together the whole may seem greater than the sum of its parts.
It’s inspiring to watch – and stirs many memories.
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