Saxophone in Band Literature (posted 5-23-08) The saxophone professor at Northern Arizona University, Jonathan Bergeron, is researching the use of the saxophone in band literature.  He is looking for suggestions/opinions for the most significant works for band written within the past 25 years (since 1983) - preferably works that also include substantial or noteworthy saxophone parts (solo or section work).  The suggestions don’t need to be saxophone concertos, just great band literature with good saxophone use. If you have suggestions you can respond to me at carson.vermillion@nau.edu or directly to him at jonathan.bergeron@nau.edu. Thanks for your time! Carson Vermillion Northern Arizona University

Band Repertoire Evaluation Site Now Open (posted 5-23-08) Ten years ago, I developed the REI (Repertoire Evaluation Instrument) to evaluate the quality of the existing Wind Band Repertoire as part of my Ph.D. dissertation at The Ohio State University.  Utilizing lists by prominent conductors, an adjudication panel, and significant research, the study identified 530 compositions that were deemed to contain a significant level of quality. Now it’s your turn to help update this list!  I have just opened a new web site that allows anyone familiar with the Wind Band Repertoire to join in on this important endeavor.  It is now time for you to put in your two cents as to what pieces you think are of significant quality.  It doesn’t take long, and you can do as much or as little as you would like to do each time you visit. In addition, you can add any pieces that are not already on the survey for others to evaluate. Of course, if you would rather not evaluate the repertoire on your own, you will still want to look at the results and maybe even make comments about your favorite (or least favorite) pieces. Either way, click the link below (or paste it into your browser), proceed through the simple (and free) registration process, and come join us! Special thanks to Frank Battisti, John Boyd, Craig Kirchoff, Bruce Moss, Stephen Peterson, Timothy Reynish, and Robert Rumbelow for assisting in the development of this site, and to Mississippi Wind Symphony Web Master Elias Arredondo! http://www.mswindsymphony.com/rei/ Dr. Craig S. Young Music Director, Mississippi Wind Symphony Director of Bands, Mississippi College cyoung@mc.edu

John Mackey Premier for Middle School Band (posted 5-21-08) I want to share with you information about a new work that might be of interest to some of our members.  My wife Cheryl and her Hill Country Middle School Band just premiered her ninth commission.  It is entitled Undertow and the composer is John Mackey.  If interested you can hear a recording of the premier at: http://ostimusic.com/blog/ Best for a wonderful summer! Richard Floyd rfloyd@austin.utexas.edu

New Work for Chorus and Wind Symphony (posted 4-6-08)     The Eastern New Mexico University Choirs (Jason Paulk, conductor) and Wind Symphony (Dustin Seifert, conductor) performed the world premiere of a new work for chorus and wind symphony composed by Rene Clausen.  Entitled The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, the text was taken from the Longfellow poem of the same name.  Midnight Ride was commissioned by the  ENMU Choirs, Wind Symphony, and Friends of Music and will likely be published by Lorenz. Five movements and approximately 35 minutes in length, the work was premiered in Portales on April 4, 2008 with the composer conducting the ENMU Choirs and Wind Symphony. For more information, please contact Dustin Seifert at 575-562-2377 or  dustin.seifert@enmu.edu.

Leroy Anderson Centennial 2008-2009 (posted 5-14-08)    Sleigh Ride • Forgotten Dreams • The Typewriter • Fiddle-Faddle  The Syncopated Clock • Blue Tango • Bugler's Holiday • The Waltzing Cat   Serenata • A Trumpeter’s Lullaby • and 22 more… We Invite You to Join the Centennial Celebration!  Concerts and Events Planned Across the Globe in Honor of Composer Leroy Anderson Leroy Anderson, composer of light instrumental miniatures, was born June 29, 1908 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The son of Swedish immigrants, he grew up in a musical family, graduated from Harvard University where he earned An M.A. in music, played trombone in the band, and then was director and arranger for the band. He became a favorite composer/arranger for the Boston Pops.  His music today is firmly entrenched in American culture. All Leroy Anderson’s works for band, including those that were formerly out of print, are now available from Masters Music, Alfred and Hal Leonard.  To receive a Leroy Anderson Centennial Band booklet phone 800-434-6340. Visit www.LeroyAnderson.com to hear the music, and see high resolution photos that you may use for your programs or publicity.   Make a visual impact at your performances with excerpts from the Leroy Anderson video. We offer a DVD with pre-edited excerpts of various lengths that you can easily show during your concert. Request these excerpts from Woodbury Music Co., info@woodburymusic.com. You can also request promo CDs of all Anderson’s works from Woodbury Music Co. at this same address, info@woodburymusic.com. Please send us your concert information so that we can post it on our website, and feel free to contact us with any of your questions or comments. We hope you will join in the fun and pure pleasure of celebrating this Centennial! Warm regards, The Leroy Anderson Family Eleanor Anderson Phone 203.263.2058 Fax 203-263-5102 info@woodburymusic.com

Music for Flute and Winds (posted 5-14-08) Thanks to all who contributed to the creation of my list of music for flute and winds. A working copy can be found at: http://www.uta.edu/music/band/flutelist.htm Please email me with any additions, corrections or deletions. Regards, Doug Stotter dstotter@uta.edu