ChsBt0ne

1. Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4 2. Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 3. Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 4. Mozart - Symphony No. 40 5. de Meij - Symphony No. 1 Tchaik 1 gets a special mention because,though I am not terribly fond the finale, I adore the first three movements. But I love all the pieces of the symphonies I've listed above. Furthermore, Bukvich 1 gets a special mention as being the most... unique symphony I've ever heard or played.

A Drum Major should be confident and respected. He or she should also be respectful. They should be hard on the band/corps without being unreasonable. Ideally, they should be well-liked before becoming a dm. If you're in a band like mine, where we only have one drum major regardless of how big we get, they should be a rising senior so that someone else will get a chance the next year. Also, there's the obvious stuff, like being able to conduct, keep time, etc. Another helpful thing is the ability to project your voice without wearing it out. If your band goes to contests where the judge the drum major, you should have a sense of showmanship. But not something over the top. Another thing to remember is that whoever chooses the drum major (be it the band director, another instructor, or the band itself), you've been trying out since the minute you've met them. People who become Drum Major display leadership qualities from Day 1. They know what they're doing and where they're supposed to be, and if they don't, they ask before it's too late.

I'd like some suggestions, criticisms, and general comments on this piece, which is my first major work for a large ensemble, entitled "Milk and Honey: An American Frontier". It's for Symphonic Band, and it intends to capture something of the spirit of Americanism. Anyhow, here it is. Don't judge me on the notation, because I haven't really messed with that yet, and it's basically all Finale. Also, there's no mp3 of it or anything, because Finale is not capable of rendering an accurate mp3, it would seem, and midis don't have all the human playback elements that I need. Milk and Honey - The American Frontier.pdf

After much ado, I've changed it. It's in B-Flat now, the horn part is therefore lower, I've fixed it up a little beyond that sort of thing, and I sincerely apologize for any snappiness that may have come across.

How about Symphony #1 by Daniel Bukvich "In Memoriam Dresden". It's both beautiful in parts, and very effective at conveying anxiety or frenzy. Link to an Mp3 (I promise it's legal)

Thanks for your kind words, as well as informing me about the pedal. I don't own a piano (nor could I play it if I did) so I have to go by how Finale tells me it will sound.

How is the horn part way too high? The horn goes up to Concert F, does it not? I've made sure that that's as high as I go. And this piece is for Drum Corps anyway, an activity in which players are often asked to play beyond what is considered their normal ability.

I'm aware of the translation of Pax. But Peace can bring about joy, and is often associated with the feeling of joy. And, as far as I'm aware, my bass drum writing is the standard style for marching bands/drum corps.

I am proud to present my latest piece of music, "Pax" for Drum and Bugle Corps. This piece gives me a feeling of peace, of contentedness. It reminds me of a personal maxim of mine (well, it's a personal maxim of mine now): E Pace Venit Gaudium; Out of Peace Comes Joy. Pax

To all composers of band music: If you do not include parts for we treble clef euphoniums, we will hope that you rot in musical hell. That's it. We're pretty easy to please as long as you don't forget we're there.

Updated to make the chorale have better phrases.

I play Baritone Treble Clef, actually. Seeing as the competition deadline hasn't been reached yet, I think I'm going to change up the chorale some. I was trying for a very fluid progression from one phrase to the next, and I think I overdid it. And I put it in Baroque mostly because it's a chorale and two canons, which were staples of Baroque music. I would've thrown in a fugue if I thought I had any chance of tackling one and it not kicking my butt. I wasn't actually going for baroque characteristics. I was tempted to write "sackbut" instead of "trombone", though. :P

Trombones can trill, however, like everything else, it's not quite as precise an action as with other brass instruments. I made sure to ask one of my trombone-playing friends. Also, the names mean the following: Lux Musicae - Musical Light Lux Laetae - Joyous Light Pulchra Lucis - Beautiful Light Lux Ultima - Last Light

Lux Musicae is a quartet for Low Brass for the YC March Competition in three sections: A. Lux Laetae - Chorale B. Pulchra Lucis - Canon C. Lux Ultima - Canon Lux Musicae