Fieldnotes
Brown Jazz Big Band
Pre Music
- Very casual and relaxed atmosphere.
- This indicative in the fact the rehearsal did not start on time. It was called for six pm, but did not really start until six thirty.
- Members strolled in languidly while those who had been on time, warmed up. This gave the whole beginning a very improvisatory vibe that remained an underlying element throughout the whole rehearsal.
- It was someone in the band’s birthday, so members sang happy birthday to him. This only furthered the notion that there is such a strong report among the group, both socially as well as musically.
Rehearsal
- Rehearsal finally started and the band’s director, Matt McGarrell took the conductor’s stand.
- He told the band that they would continue rehearsing for the Parents Weekend concert next weekend.
- He then asked the pianist to play several notes on which to start a group tuning.
- The first song- I could not hear the name of it.
- This first song was one that band members seemed to like, as they all commented on it. Further, their constant toe tapping and snapping during the song was another indicator that this one that they enjoyed playing. This was a consideration for the Parents Weekend concert opener.
- A few bars into the piece, Matt thought the tempo was too slow and asked for other members input. They agreed and fixed the tempo to match the faster pace of the song.
- As traditionally done, the trumpet players collectively stand when playing, while other instruments don’t. This added an interesting visual dynamic to the group as they played.
- After the band went through the piece this one time, Matt thought the drums needed another, more prominent sound, so he asked the drummer to change what mallets he used.
- This second time around, the piece had a more powerful feel to it.
- The second song- I also couldn’t hear the name of this one!
- It was much louder and had a more “big band” feel throughout.
- In this piece different musicians took solos- 2 saxophone solos which then morphed into a call and response between the two.
- Midway through the song, Matt stopped conducting and let the group take over itself. This only furthered the fact that because the group dynamic is so strong, the musicians were able to stay in sync with each other.
- However, midway rough his solo, a tenor saxophone player got lost.
- On slower and more exposed parts of the piece, players seemed a bit out of synch musically and didn’t all blend together as they had before.
- The 3rd song- Quiet Night, Quiet Stars.
- This song used a vocalist and had a much more bossa nova feel.
- The singer stood facing the band, using a handheld microphone.
- The 4th song- Little Rootie Tutti.
- This song was a very lively and upbeat one.
- A member of the group suggests opening the concert with this piece.
- The band plays through the piece once.
- When they finish, Matt states that he’s not too happy with the shape of the piece and says that everyone needs to go home and practice it more.
- He specifically states that the trombones need to play out in the piece.
- Instead of working on the piece some more, he moves on, saying he hopes people will practice and that it will come together at their Monday night rehearsal.
- The 5th Song- Round Midnight
- This song was much more slower paced than the previous one and used a vocalist.
- Unlike in the other pieces, the piano is the dominant instrument throughout the piece and really stands out.
- Matt decides to go back to the beginning of the piece after the band plays through it once. He wants to fix the balance in the middle of the song and work on the “swelling” effect that takes place throughout.
- The 6th song- Again, I couldn’t hear what this one was called!
- This song was much more swing paced.
- The 7th song- Ahhh! Couldn’t hear the name!
- The song sounded to be in a six-eight meter.
- The band began to play the song when Matt stopped them less than halfway through the beginning and goes back to try it again.
- In the middle of the piece, the instruments cut out and clap the rhythm under a saxophone solo. This adds more layers to the piece and gives a stronger dynamic.
- At the end of the piece, a band member’s cell phone goes off. Matt jokes about keeping that in the piece
- At the end of the piece, everyone sings and plays happy birthday to the same band member as before.
- Matt also talks about the concert and adds some more logistical details, saying he doesn’t think it should be too long.
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