CCCB - Director's Corner

Director's Corner

January 21, 2007 by Tim Franklin

Since first reading The Clarinet, Excellence and Artistry by Rossario Mazzeo, I have prescribed reading the first chapter of this book to scores of my band students. The first chapter is entitled "Studying-Practicing." The author states that most players don't properly evaluate the difference between the two words. Studying is more concerned with examination of a problem and practicing more with the repetition of certain motions or actions to make them a habit. Therefore, one's first thought (when faced with a passage not mastered) should be not to practice it.

Mazzeo states, "When something is not satisfactory, try to focus on only one aspect of your playing. Think about that single aspect. Do not think about anything else. Play with that single thought in mind. Invariably that something will improve. Only when you are satisfied should you proceed playing with more than one thought at a time. It does little good to waltz your way through a difficult passage and then try to evaluate the whole."

Instead of just trying it again (a form of gambling) try instead to see what is needed for each element of a passage. Isolate and state each problem.

March 22, 2007 by Tim Franklin

During my last decade of teaching high school band in Maryland and Virginia I made it a practice of having a daily quote on the chalkboard. Sometimes the quotes were pedagogic, while others made reference to literature, art, and other related areas. During a very busy time, I went several days without "The Daily Quote" and was very surprised when there were several raised hands in Symphonic Band and Concert Band inquiring about the quotes. Here are several that have been collected through the years.

The essence of music is flow.
In our passion for strength of tone we have forgotten beauty and richness of tone. - Albert Schweitzer
For a good note beginning: know the pitch, form the embouchure, and prepare the breath.
When crescendoing on a sustained tone, don't change the quality of the tone.
It only takes one bad voice, or one very good one, to ruin a choir. - D.W. Nordin
Phrasing is making music make sense.
Before you begin playing, establish within yourself the mood to be communicated.
We shall not cease from exploration
At the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time. - T.S. Eliot from "Four Quartets"
The more you know the more is revealed.
In his book The Clarinet, Excellence and Artistry, Rossario Mazzeo defines mastery of the clarinet (or any other instrument): "You have only to be able to play every tone/note over the entire register of the instrument, in every nuance, at any speed, with any articulation, with every kind of start and close, and with all changing gradations. Add to this whatever musical talent you have and mix thoroughly."
Stillness is our most intense mode of action. It is in our moment of deep quiet That is born our every idea, emotion, and drive which we eventually honor with the name of action. Our most emotionally active life is lived in our dreams, and our cells renew themselves most industriously in sleep. We reach highest in meditation, and farthest in prayer. In stillness every human being is great; he is free from the experience of hostility; he is a poet, and most like an angel. - Leonard Bernstein

June 2, 2007 by Tim Franklin

Congratulations on another wonderful year of music making with the CCCB. While Bill conducted at the Charleston concert, I enjoyed a wonderful view of the band and also the audience. During most concerts, when it's not my turn on the podium I sit backstage and watch the band, but at Spoleto it is a treat watching the audience. Like many of you, I was disappointed (and concerned) that the veteran attired in his navy uniform that attended the concert last year was not there on Monday. The memory of him standing at attention last year during the Armed Forces Salute is a testament of what is great about this country. There was a wonderful moment during the playing of the Gershwin when the chimes rang out from the church across the street from Marion Square. Did you know that the opening intervals of "Summertime" from Porgy & Bess were inspired by the chimes of St. Michael's? It was a really neat moment! There were many more wonderful moments during your concert. The attention to phrasing in the Gershwin and "America The Beautiful" were very fine. Bravo to Betty for inspiring us all. Too many times we view concerts like Spoleto and the State Fair as not being a peak musical experience. The number of audience members smiling and singing along with the selections in "Home Front" was definitely a peak experience for them and me.

I sincerely hope that each of you will consider the concert trip to Washington, D.C. for a number of reasons. It will be a musical event that volunteer adult ensembles rarely experience. There are few sights as inspiring as the view of the Capitol from the Lincoln Memorial. Combine that with a massed band concert and the weekend will definitely be an unforgettable experience. The fellowship of travel and performance is fun, but for many ensembles it is a catalyst for further growth. The CCCB is a band with a wonderful 26-year history that is ready to grow even more.

Best wishes to each of you during the next few months and thank you for many fine musical moments.

Tim Franklin