Nearly all the features we wanted our web site to have are now implemented. You'll find browsing and searching the web site much faster and easier than before.  You can search for any combination of names, titles, styles, and publishers. We currently have data from over 50 different major publishers. Plus, I've been keeping my own personal database of wind band works, chamber ensemble works, and reference books for several years. All of that is integrated into the site as well.

We also have several search buttons on the left of the screen you can use to refine your search. Looking for anything brand new by James Barnes for wind band? Type James Barnes in the search box, then select "New" from the filters on the left, as well as "Concert Band" from the Categories filter.  Want to see what C.Alan Publications released in the Grade 4 reals? Select "All Concert Band", then C. Alan under Publishers ("More Publishers), then Grade 4. Not sure whether the piece you need is called Minuet or Menuet? You can type either word and it will still locate the right piece for you. 

I've also now loaded my Reference Book database into the website. Put your mouse over the Reference tab at the top of our home page. Follow the tabs and you'll see that I've divided up all our books into categories such as Conducting, Wind Band, Music Education, Instruments, and more. You can browse the categories, search for New titles by clicking "New", search by publisher, author or title. Every book we have at Midwest should be here on our website now, so even if you can't make it you can see some of the newest materials to come out. 

In addition, a more efficient, detailed Style search for things like "Piano Solo" and "Native-American" is in development, though you can click the "Style" button to see a comprehensive list of Styles based on your current list of selections. I'll let you know when that feature is ready.

You can pay online with a credit card or we can bill your account. It's much faster than before and much more complete than ever. Do you have any suggestions, or see a bug I need to address? Let me know and I'll see to it.

The books in the booth will be organized into five areas: Wind Band, Conducting, Music Education, Instruments, and Biographies. If you can't find a particular book I'll help guide you to it if I've got it. I've greatly expanded the number of reference books I'll have on hand this year, but here are a few new works in particular you should know about.

The Spark - Gary Gackstatter

This is a fantastic book for both new music educators and established music veterans. Gary Gackstatter is a composer and conductor from St. Louis who believes that a spiritual well being is an important part of being a conductor or music teacher. "The Spark" is what he refers to as the inspiration that you have inside that makes you want to bring out the "aha!" moment in your students. As we age and continue to teach, it's easy to lose touch with that Spark that started us on the path to music in the first place.

While discussing this book, one of the things he told me is that your entire personality comes through when you conduct. If you are short tempered, that will reflect in your conducting. If you're stubborn, or disorganized, depressed, or angry, all of that will show in your conducting. The musical sound you get from your direction is an extension of who you are, and if you're not a good person, neither will your music be.

This book is a series of single page reflections, meditations, and thought exercises to help you get back in touch with your Spark and make you better able to pass it on to your students.

Rehearsing the Band - Volume 3

The next book in the Rehearsing the Band series is out as of last week. Just like before, the book is full of short essays and examples of how other noted wind band conductors make efficient use of their rehearsal time with their groups. Contributors this time include Harvey Benstein, Richard Clary, Steve Davis, Rodney Dorsey, Amanda Drinkwater, Patrick Dunnigan, Richard Floyd, Robert Halseth, Robert Ponto, Robert Taylor and Frank Wickes.  If you haven't read any of the books in this series, be sure to pick up Rehearsing the Band Volume1 and Volume 2, as well as Rehearsing the High School Band.

Leading Tones - Leonard Slatkin

Leading Tones is a glimpse into several aspects of the musical world. There are portions devoted to Leonard Slatkin's life as a musician and conductor, portraits of some of the outstanding artists with whom he has worked, as well as anecdotes and stories both personal and professional. Much of the book discusses elements of the industry that are troubling and difficult during this first part of the 21st century. Auditions, critics, fiscal concerns, and labor negotiations are all matters that today's conductors must be aware of, and this book provides helpful suggested solutions. Leading Tones is intended not only for musicians, but also for the music lover who wishes to know more about what goes into being a conductor.

Also look for Leonard's previous book, and engaging exploration about the inside world of being a conductor, Conducting Business

Practicing with Purpose - David Kish

New from Meredith Music Publications,  Practicing with Purpose 

contains 50 easy-to-use strategies proven and field-tested to improve musical skills. It includes practice plans for every level with examples from the world's greatest performers. It's an indispensable resource to immediately increase musical proficiency. Watch David Kish explain a little about his new book here. 

I met Phil Aguglia at the 2015 WASBE convention in San Jose, California. I was extremely impressed by his knowledge of the art of creating conducting batons. He understands the nuances of various weight preferences and handle shapes and how to adjust the shaft so as to place the balancing point right where you want it. We talked about how different directors preferred different ways of holding the baton and where the weight should fall depending on the grip being used, and how different directors preferred different lengths, and how a change in length would adjust the balance and how to compensate for that appropriately. 

 

I love the way his ready made batons feel, especially his flat-spot series which has a flattened spot on the handle for your thumb to rest on. It feels great. I've  already changed out my old baton for one of his. And if you want a custom made baton, we can get one for you. This year I'll have a display with all the different handle types available. We can talk about your preferred length and balance point, then he'll custom make your baton and send it to you.. He also makes conductor's bags, director's plaques and picture frames with batons, and even wooden podiums.Try them out, I think you'll be pretty impressed with his work.

Like last year, we'll have nearly our entire stock of solo and ensemble materials on hand for you to look at, from state list staples to obscure works, from grades 1 to 6.  We've particularly stocked up on brass choir and woodwind choir works, so there's plenty to look at this year all around.

If your school is hosting a conducting symposium in the coming year, or if you have a conducting class that has some required scores or other materials students need to get for class, I can help your participants and students get the materials required.  

Just let me know when the event or class is, what scores or books are needed, and a link to the symposium website if applicable. I'll set up a conducting section for you on our website and send you a link to it. Participants and students can follow that link or go directly to our Wind Band page and choose either the Conducting Class or Conducting Symposium bar, then choose the event or class from the list. They can check the items they want and add them to the cart. 

In particular, by doing this I'll also be able to make sure I have sufficient stock of all the necessary scores and materials. Plus, I can give you a heads up if a certain title is put of print or otherwise unavailable for some reason, so you can be prepared for queries from your participants about what to do. 

I have a large list of recommended works I've been keeping track of. I'll see about putting out a follow up email next week after Christmas to let you know about them, if you don't get to see me at Midwest. Now it's time to head to Chicago to unload the truck and the trailer and get set up for the big event. Hope to see you there!

Thanks for reading, drop me a line anytime.

Jeff Girard

Instrumental Specialist

 

Instrumental Music (my direct line): 314/942-1522

 

General phone line: 314/291-4686     Fax: 314/621/4166

[email protected]