The Kearsarge Regional High School Band commissioned Dr. Jack Stamp to write a new work for band entitled Miniature Overture. The premiere was conducted by KRHS band director Ernie Mills on Tuesday, May 29, 2007.
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On April 17, Jim Rotondi (jazz trumpet, NYC) spent the day at James Mastricola Upper Elementary School in Merrimack, NH. During the day, Jim spoke with the first year band (5th grade) and the second year band (6th grade) about jazz, improvisation, and his life as a jazz musician . He also worked with the students on improvising. That evening the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra performed at JMUES with Jim Rotondi. The concert began with JMUES students performing Bluesapalooza (B-flat blues) with the NHJO rhythm section. For the grand finale, the students returned to the stage to perform C Jam Blues with Mr. Rotondi and the entire NHJO. Eighteen students played chorus-long improvised solos on C Jam Blues, while being backed up by the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra.
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David Heintz (Woodsville High School) has developed a new pre-band introductory program. He has a patent pending on a new teaching aid that allows students to learn the three principal wind embouchures while studying rhythmic notation.
Though the program can be used at any age and is very versatile, he is using it to teach a year long course at the fourth grade level. All fourth grade students spend one quarter each studying drum stick technique, single reed embouchures, flute embouchures and brass embouchures. Along the way, they also their rhythmic reading skills. Students write their own compositions, perform solos as well as in small ensembles and improvise.
David says that the benefits have been amazing. “Interest in band is up. Students are talking about what instrument worked best for them and which instrument they want to play next year. They are now able to make educated decisions about what they would like to play rather than rely on family or peer suggestions. Beginner lessons in fifth grade are a snap. They all start knowing the correct embouchure, how to articulate and read music. All they have to do is learn hand positions and care of the instrument.”
The program itself is called the “Clarflupet Pre-Band Primer™”. The teaching aid is called a “Clarflupet™ Wind Embouchure Trainer”. He has been using home made prototypes, but he is in the process of developing a version to be available for purchase next fall. David has designed a cart which houses twenty-five of the instruments for transport from classroom to classroom. A cleaning system is incorporated as well
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The Hanover HS Jazz Band and String Ensemble will be hosting the Big Band from Neustadt, Germany in October. Then they will travel to Neustadt and Trier, Germany, to complete the exchange, during April vacation 2008.
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On Saturday, June 2nd, 2007 the Pelham Memorial School Music Department competed in the Music in the Parks Festival in Agawam, MA. The PMS 7th & 8th Grade Treble Choir received an "Excellent" rating and first place in the competition division. The PMS 6th Grade Concert Band, 7th & 8th Grade Concert Band and Jazz Band all received "Good" ratings and captured first place in their respective categories and competition divisions. Also, the sixth grade chorus received a "Good rating in its respective school class size.
Many other instrumental, choral and string ensembles from all over New England, New York and Virginia performed and competed in this festival including several elementary, middle school and high school groups.
The chorus, under the direction of Kelly Sullivan, competed in the competition division for the third time and performed very well. The bands, under the direction of Paul A. Santerre and Tiffany Evans, performed exceptionally well. After their performance the PMS Music Department spent a few hours at Six Flags New England Amusement Park before attending the awards ceremony to receive their scores and trophies.
