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Tricky bits of music

Gandalfe, elsewhere, gave a link to some work his community band had done that was quite challenging - well here is a chance to show and tell!

We have just had an amazing concert, with a guest tuba soloist called Les Neish. Les is a professional musician, but started his musical journey being taught, as a school boy, by a teacher who plays trumpet with our band. It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with him. But the first time we rehearsed with him was on the afternoon of the evening concert. We have an excellent MD who rehearsed us well, thankfully.

He played four pieces with us - his main being a concerto of 3 movements called Salt of the Earth, by Andy Scott

Here is my recording of those three movements (using Zoom H2, recorded in wav and compressed on computer)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jmdmdqadmyzg7zn/04 Salt of the Earth Movt 1.mp3?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qo1kw86z3gb1zkn/05 Salt of the Earth Movt 2.mp3?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/236qmdt8yko5nke/06 Salt of the Earth Movt 3.mp3?dl=0

Chris
 
There are sooo many great community bands in Seattle, the most famous being the Washington Wind Symphony and the Seattle Wind Symphony. One of the bands I'm in is called the Woodwind Community band. This this the video I love to share because I paid for the chart and picked the soprano sax soloist to play the very challenging music.

Johan de Meij's The Lord of the Rings: Symphony No. 1 - Gollum
 
Challenging stuff indeed!

You have a strong ensemble there. Not many community bands would have a contra bassoon...
 
Our director often brings in unique musicians playing things like a harp, an English horn, a singer, or an orator (reading as Santa Claus for example), and then of course me on bass sax on occasion. I love my sax section that is almost double what is recommended with 4 altos (3 who also play sop), 2 tenors, and one bari. The contrabassoon player is a really good friend of mine who plays with so many community and semi-pro bands across the area. We often have a flute choir playing during the break with pic, flute, alto flute, and such.

I love community bands that push the envelope, just like I love to have pro's sit in with my Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra which is a Washington state (taxable) non-profit. All the money we make goes to running the band and paying subs and guest musicians that we feature. The WCB has spawned three Big Bands, two which are still under it's 401c charter.
 
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