Music and Memory (from Kolbs perspective of course)
Hey Guys and Galls! Music for me again has been very diverse and so has my musical experiences. While I have listened to a lot of music so far in my career, I feel like the music that I remember more than anything is the classical music that I played. One of the first pieces that I remember when I started to learn how to play my instrument is “Hot Cross Buns”. Obviously “Hot Cross Buns” has been a stamped as one of the beginner songs that people learn first. When learning my instrument, and now instruments, “Hot Cross Buns” seemed to be one of the songs I hadn’t heard of before this, and now when teaching some of my beginning students has shown how this song continues to be a staple in Beginning band repertoire and has stuck with me even to this day.
While learning before I got out of middle school, I had auditioned for Region Band and made it into the junior level group which helped me gain motivation of my playing. When I walked into the room, it was very packed, loud, and sort of hot in the room. I unpack my clarinet and walk down to find my chair with my name on it. I sit down and they already have my folder on my stand with my name on it so as any normal middle schooler, I open it, because I am nosey, and I see “Celtic Air and Dance” arranged by Micheal Sweeney. “Celtic Air and Dance” was a piece that I had heard previously and dreamed of playing at the time, but had never gotten the opportunity until then. Through the harmonies and melodies, that the Clarinet normally has in classical music and concert band repertoire, I felt like I was dreaming as it was definitely a piece I wanted to play. Once I finished performing on the last night, because this was when region band was multiple days, Thursday through Saturday, I felt very fulfilled after playing this piece. Take a listen to this piece, think about the middle school version of you and see if this resonates how it did with me.
Because of band, my experiences with music, and many other things, I have been fortunate enough to go on many different trips to places, mostly around the southeast, and engage with many levels and genres of music. When traveling I had been able to hear lots of Jazz and Contemporary instrumental music. If you know anything about me, Jazz and contemporary music, and an insane amount of sarcasm, has a special place in my heart. “But Kolby, all you know how to play and listen to is classical music… you don’t know how to actually enjoy jazz…” said by one of my lovely saxophone students at Gaffney. Well, I had to culture my students on some well versed jazz clarinet charts, “Air Mail Special” arranged by Jimmy Mundy. But let's make this better, the clarinetist was Benny Goodman who was the “King of Swing” and the clarinetist of jazz music in my opinion. After listening to this and playing a couple samples of jazz for my students, mostly improvisation, played by me, because I had brought my clarinet to marching band rehearsal. After culturing my saxophone players on some Clarinet heavy jazz repertoire, we relaxed and listened to “Vehicle” arranged by Ralph Ford. This was a memory that ill never forget because it was a heavy learning moment for me, inconsideration to how they don’t teach much music history and genres besides concert band literature and performance. Below you can endeavor, listen, and study while listening to some relaxing jazz music.
You were right about one thing Kolby: the American school system really doesn't put any emphasis on learning music unless it is traditional band music. I for one would like to be able to find some time whenever I become a teacher to be able to expand my students horizons such as you have done. Just getting them exposed could very well open up many other doors to them. I know it did me, I am a flute player but fortunately my middle school band director let me and a few other flutes play in the jazz band. It was a really fun time for me and I was introduced to so much great music and composers! Also I think that I have also played a version of Celtic Airs and Dances but I think it was in high school. It might not have been named Celtic Airs and dances but that piece you chose definitely made me think of that piece.
ReplyDeleteHey Kolby! Your selections of "memory music" were so relatable, especially as a clarinetist. I think as band students we all have that one piece we played that really got us going on the music route and its always interesting to see what that might be for different people. I love the jazz selections, I routinely listen to Benny Goodman in the car so if you ever want someone to nerd out about it with, you know who to call! Also, the hot cross buns thing was hilarious, definitely some *interesting* memories.
ReplyDeleteHi Kolby, I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I think it is interesting that your examples of music for this post was almost all music you had played yourself. I think this is really cool as someone who does not have an extensive background in music and does not have much history with playing. I think its extra special that you got these opportunities in school!
ReplyDeleteHi Kolby! I think that Hot Cross Buns is a canon music student memory since almost all of us would have learned that. I remember doing Hot Cross Buns and then my teacher also made us do “Sad” Cross Buns to teach us about minor keys as well. Even though I’m not a band kid, I also have memories of listening to people play Celtic Air and Dance!
ReplyDeleteHey Kolby! I love how you chose Hot Cross Buns, that's definitely something a lot of us can relate to lol. Also, I've never heard Benny Goodman's "Air Man Special". I will definitely be listening to that on repeat. Clarinet is jazz- jazz is clarinet ;)
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