concert band
PYSB Rehearsal
18 Jun 2008 03:22 PM
Last Saturday, I attended the Philippine Youth
Symphonic Band rehearsal. I went there to deliver a
new arrangement of Sitsiritsit and Leron Leron Sinta
(in a medley). They also played my Sarung Banggui
arrangement. Though the members weren't all there
that day, I heard the arrangements and I felt really
honored to be working with those guys. They play well
for their age.
The new material are all Filipino folk songs, as an effort to remind the younger generation/s about them. They are slowly being forgotten. I remember that in High School, we used to sing some of these songs. Even then, some of the songs I learned were incomplete. I had to revise my Sarung Banggui arrangement for this group after the first reading because there was one part missing, due to the fact that I didn't know there was a C part. We were only taught the A and B parts at school.
Not only did I have the chance to hear the arrangements played (which I enjoyed making, not the least because of my own uncertainty as to whether it'll work out), these would be sponsored (read: professional fees), and I was fed some spaghetti and cake. What more can one ask for on a nice Saturday?
Romy San Jose conducting the group
The new material are all Filipino folk songs, as an effort to remind the younger generation/s about them. They are slowly being forgotten. I remember that in High School, we used to sing some of these songs. Even then, some of the songs I learned were incomplete. I had to revise my Sarung Banggui arrangement for this group after the first reading because there was one part missing, due to the fact that I didn't know there was a C part. We were only taught the A and B parts at school.
Not only did I have the chance to hear the arrangements played (which I enjoyed making, not the least because of my own uncertainty as to whether it'll work out), these would be sponsored (read: professional fees), and I was fed some spaghetti and cake. What more can one ask for on a nice Saturday?
Romy San Jose conducting the group
|
Concert Band and Reggae Music
12 Jun 2008 08:22 PM
Concert band and Reggae. Do those genres even mix? I
think they can. But the difficulty now for me, in
this new assignment which involves writing a reggae
arrangement of a popular Filipino folk song for a
concert band, is that I couldn't find any examples
for listening or reference - of a concert band
playing reggae music. Suggestions or referrals are
most welcome. I have also been told that this
arrangement, plus the one I've just finished last
April, will be recorded in an album.
Uncertainty in outcome is a great motivating factor for me, though, that's why I readily said yes to the assignment. It can turn out really good, or maybe fall flat on its face - of course the former is more preferable, but the latter makes the whole exercise more exciting. (After all, who wants to be doing the same thing over and over, just because it's successful? A sure magnet for boredom).
- - - -
Ok, obviously I don't have anything more to write. When I decided to start this blog, I told myself I will update it regularly, whether or not people actually care to read it. So I'm updating it now. It's not as easy as I thought. And obviously, if I'm here writing my thoughts out, that means I'm not writing music.
Blog = the ideal procrastination tool. At least for me.
Pardon the so-so post. Things will get better over time.
Uncertainty in outcome is a great motivating factor for me, though, that's why I readily said yes to the assignment. It can turn out really good, or maybe fall flat on its face - of course the former is more preferable, but the latter makes the whole exercise more exciting. (After all, who wants to be doing the same thing over and over, just because it's successful? A sure magnet for boredom).
- - - -
Ok, obviously I don't have anything more to write. When I decided to start this blog, I told myself I will update it regularly, whether or not people actually care to read it. So I'm updating it now. It's not as easy as I thought. And obviously, if I'm here writing my thoughts out, that means I'm not writing music.
Blog = the ideal procrastination tool. At least for me.
Pardon the so-so post. Things will get better over time.
Arranging for the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band
24 Apr 2008 06:12 PM
This month, I’ve been privileged to arrange for the
Philippine Youth Symphonic Band. My task was to give
Sarung Banggui, a popular Filipino folk song (by
Potenciano Gregorio), a fresh treatment and a “young”
sound. Now these days, I don’t have a clear idea as
to what “young” really sounds like. As an arranger,
people might classify me into the “young” category
because of my age, but boy, half or more of my
listening material is not “young.”
That aside, I just took “young” to mean “experimental” or “non-traditional”, and so tried to come up with colors which are not traditionally employed in the Concert Band context. For instance, I tried treating the group orchestrally, instead of the usual sectional treatment (where it follows that Saxes are one group, Brasses are another, etc.). Also, for the A parts of the folk song, I employed a funky feel to it, while the B parts are in a swing feel.
I haven’t heard the actual piece yet, so I am very excited! Will post an update as well as a sound clip. I hope the arrangement works!
That aside, I just took “young” to mean “experimental” or “non-traditional”, and so tried to come up with colors which are not traditionally employed in the Concert Band context. For instance, I tried treating the group orchestrally, instead of the usual sectional treatment (where it follows that Saxes are one group, Brasses are another, etc.). Also, for the A parts of the folk song, I employed a funky feel to it, while the B parts are in a swing feel.
I haven’t heard the actual piece yet, so I am very excited! Will post an update as well as a sound clip. I hope the arrangement works!