AEOLIAN ROCK (Grade 1, String Orchestra) - Jeffrey Frizzi. Kendor Music, 2014, $48

AEOLIAN ROCK (Grade 1, String Orchestra). Jeffrey Frizzi. Kendor Music, 2014, $48.
This piece is written in C major and is in 4/4. The rhythms consist of nothing more than quarter
notes and eighth notes. It is 50 measures long in total and has a playing time of about 1 minute
and 35 seconds. An optional piano part is also provided. It is written for 5 parts - Violin 1, Volin
2, Viola, Cello, and Bass. There are very brief sections of the piece in which the Violin 1 and 2s
contain divisi and in which as a director, you will need to split each of those sections in two, with
some students taking the top note, and some the bottom. The heavy use of staccato and
accents adds to the ‘rock’ feel of the piece, and will be wonderful for teaching the beginner the
basics of articulation. The piece starts with the low strings in unison, introducing the bass line
that becomes the driving force of the song. The violas and violins then enter in unison, playing a
second, higher melody as the bass goes on. The violins and violas then split their top melody
into a five-part harmony. In the B section, the lower strings are in unison still, but their part
changes to playing 1, 4, and 5 in staccato, eighth note beats that are separated by rests. On top
of this, the violas now receive the solo melody, which is a new melody that differs from the two
melodies we heard in the A section, all while the violins stay silent. The lower strings then join
the violas in playing this new melody, while the violins enter, splitting into four-part harmony and
taking over this 1, 4, 5 pattern. Eventually, the song ends by going back to the end of the A
section. The music includes bowing markings and contains dynamics ranging from forte to
mezzo piano; this piece could be a wonderful tool for teaching beginning students the basics of
dynamic range. One particular section of this piece has the lower strings playing a forte, and the
violins playing a mezzo piano. This could be a great tool for teaching beginning students to
listen and be mindful of other sections other than their own. Additionally, the fact that the melody
jumps from section to section is a great way to allow sections who may not usually play the
melody a chance in the spotlight.
M.P. Asadi
RED RIVER VALLEY (Grade 1.5, Concert Band). Andrew Glover. Birch Island Music
Press, 2019, $49.
This piece is a beautiful tribute to the American folk song, “Red River Valley”. Students will most
likely know this song, and might be able to even sing it. The arrangement of this piece is smooth
and soothing to the ears. The winds have the melody for most of the song, and the trumpets are
refreshingly not the center of attention. The mostly simple and light percussion, found in the
forms of a snare drum, temple block, bells, chimes, and cymbals, add to the flourishing effect.
While the piece starts off quite lullaby-like, with more emphasis on the bells, chimes, and temple
block, the piece eventually fills out by adding harmony to the initial melody, and the patriotic
sentiment quickly develops through the use of the snare drum and the cymbals. While slow and
with many long tones, the piece has a nice bit of movement to it. This could be a great way to
teach beginning students the practical application of long tones in repertoire. The piece will also
be wonderful for teaching legato playing, dynamic range and markings, crescendos and
decrescendos, ritardandos, accents and staccati, and slurring. Additionally, the use of fermatas
will be great for getting the band to look up and follow the conductor intently. Pedagogically, the
director should teach proper breath support and control on sustained tones’ additionally, the
director should be concerned with maintaining a healthy blend, one where the woodwinds are
allowed to have their moment in the sun. The piece is in 4/4 time, Bb major, and is 58 measures
long. An optional piano part is also included.
M.P. Asadi

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