Lesson Objectives: Identify musical timbre by sight and sound. Interpret the use of elements to reflect expressive intent. P. 4.3.1., P.4.4.1., R. 8.4.1.
Randall Standridge is a composer, music arranger, instructor and marching band
show designer. He was born and raised in Little Rock and now lives with his family in Jonesboro. Standridge received Music Education and Music
Composition degrees from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.In 2001, Standridge began working at
Harrisburg High School as director of bands.He left the Harrisburg district in 2013 to become a full-time composer.
LISTEN FOR . . . "Steel" is the third piece in a collection called the "Machine Series". How would you expect music about steel to sound? Which instruments in the band would be important? What other musical influences can you detect in this work?
MUSIC LISTENING LINKS
TUESDAY
Music Listening Example: Snake Charmer
Lesson Objective: Identify musical timbre by sight and sound. Interpret the use of elements to reflect expressive intent. P. 4.3.1., P.4.4.1., R. 8.4.1.
Randall
Standridge is highly respected as a music composer for school bands.His music has been published internationally
by Grand Mesa Music and other well-known music publishers.Thirty-four of his works have been selected
as “editor’s choice” by J.W. Pepper Music, a company where many band
directors order the music they will teach during the school
year.Many of his compositions have been
included in band instruction books.Some of these works include Snake Charmer, The Witching Hour, Gently Blows the Summer Wind,
Danse Carnivale, Gadget, and That Old Hound Dog Rag.
LISTEN FOR . . . Our listening example is called "Snake Charmer". There is no video to watch in this example, so you must let your imagination create a picture in your mind. What words could you use to describe the mood or atmosphere created by the music? Standridge used a composition technique that we studied in a lot of last year's lessons. Do you remember what it was?
Exoticisim - using rhythms, melodies and instruments to make music sound like faraway lands.
WEDNESDAY
Music Listening Examples:
Marching Show Design Example and "Surfin' USA" by the Ohio State Marching Band
Lesson Objective: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art. Identify career opportunities in music fields. R.8.5.1., R.8.6.1., CN.10.5.1., CN.10.6.1, CN.11.5.3., CN.11.6.3
MUSIC CAREERS: PROGRAM DESIGNERS
One area of music that people probably don’t think about much is the half-time shows performed at football games. This is a busy time of year for school bands. Like football players, band students must begin practicing during the summer to be prepared when school starts. They must learn all the music they will play and the routines for different shows.
Randall Standridge is a Program Designer. Program Design is the art of planning and coordinating all of the elements of a show for bands and flag teams. This involves arranging the music, training students in marching techniques, body movement, the art of effective practicing, and student leadership. Besides performing at football games, many bands participate in championship competitions throughout our country.
Program Design computer software
Program Designers use computer software programs to design shows. The designs instruct each musician where to go on the field and how they will get there to form a pattern. Like dancers, the marchers must learn certain steps to keep them from stumbling on the field. And they must do all this while playing their instruments. Depending on the size of the band and their level of skills, shows can be very simple or very complex.
Standridge on the practice field at Harrisburg High School Using music technology
Some Program Designers' fees start at a minimum of $1,000 per show and can earn a lot more than that. So if you are a creative person and are willing to work hard as a band student from junior high through college, you might want to consider a career as a Program Designer.
Lesson Objective: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art. Identify career opportunities in music fields. R.8.K.1. - R.8.6.1., CN.10.5.1., CN.10.6.1, CN.11.5.3., CN.11.6.3
Randall Standridge is devoted to helping musicians improve their
musicianship. Musicianship means not only having basic
skills to perform, but knowing how to express one’s self through music in a
meaningful way.In this area of his
career, Standridge is active as a clinician.This means he travels to different cities to speak at clinics, or
workshops, for both band students and their directors.
Yesterday we
learned that Standridge works with marching bands to help them produce exciting
shows.He speaks at summer clinics for band
teachers to help them prepare for the school-year. Standridge conducts concerts and speaks at
clinics for students to help them develop the techniques they need to interpret
music in a personal, expressive manner. This is what makes the difference between
music that sounds “OK”, and music that has real emotional impact on the
listener.
Band students at a clinic rehearsal
LISTEN FOR . . . Our listening example
today is from a musical suite called Zooveniers,
a collection of short pieces inspired by a trip to the Memphis Zoo.Standridge says, “I love miniatures and the
challenge in making them interesting and complete musical ideas.As I wandered the zoo, I thought of how
little time one spends looking at the exhibits before moving onto the next one,
and BAM!inspiration struck.”These miniature pieces take the listener
through the zoo entrance and exhibits, including the birdhouse, cheetahs, the
carousel, and many more, until arriving at the exit.Does each piece sound like the animal it represents?
Lesson Objective: Perceive and analyze artistic work, focusing on the element of rhythm. Identify the use of specific musical concepts in various styles of music. R.7.K.1. - R.7.4.1, R.7.K.2 - R.7.4.2.
Our listening example today is the World Premiere performance of Argentum, a live stage concert conducted by Randall Standridge. The term "world premiere" means it is the first time new music has been performed anywhere in the world.
SCIENCE CONNECTION:
Argentum is the Latin word for the chemical element
known as silver. The scientific symbol is Ag. So “argentum” means
something bright, shiny and silvery.
RHYTHM CHALLENGE: Argentum presents a rhythm challenge. Usually we can pretty well tell if music beats are organized in groups of 2, 3, or 4, and it's easy for us to feel those beats and tap our foot or pat our hand to the beat. Can you detect how many beats are grouped in this music? Does the beat sound steady and regular, or somewhat irregular?
MUSIC LISTENING LINKS
Argentum
Listen to Danse Carnivale with still photos.
When the Spring Rain Begins to Fall is a beautifully expressive work.
