Intermediate Band

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 13
Last rehearsal before our 1st Dec concert
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Faure Pavane: the opening of this piece was the most successful of all of the recordings (bravo), 1st clarinet remember D# in bar @8, clarinets @10 remember dynamic, run trumpet line @14, run sax line @25-26, run melodic line @35 for trpt/btn, run big fortissimo entries @45/47/51/55 slowly for notes and rhythms, then run from @43 through @60 without melodic lines, @60 run melodic lines in flt/trpt/asx/clar, @69 run melody then counter-melody then all half note people, then do the same @73, @84 trpt and asx, @85 trpt/clar/asx/tsx playing hrn cues, clarinet line @92 is completely lost, generally there needs to be more awareness of what others are playing around you and how you fit into that sound
Verdi Prati: good tempo right from the start, no dynamic contrast between @1 and @5, overall too loud before @B, @B 1st clarinet… quarter notes too loud, @C still too loud, 7 bars after @D = can’t hear trpt eighth note line, cresc after @D to the first forte dynamic, second forte dynamic after @E… sudden dynamic effect is lost, unison rests both in opening and at end are together (good job)
Russian Sailors: opening here is pretty good, @14 the low br/ww section isn’t together for the first four measures of @14, on repeat at @14 higher winds have tuning issues (flt & 1st clar), run @26 melodic lines alone, 1st clarinet behind @38… not lined up with flutes
Pachelbel’s: beginning was not lined up, despite counting in the eighth note line in the clarinet was behind, we should run eighth note line separately for comfort then add it all back in, @13 run half notes then quarters then together, overall everything seems too heavy and plodding, are players getting lost?
Peer Gynt Suite
Troika: run opening with only melody (tuning issues), @11 eighths good transition but we need a decrescendo leading into @13, high Bb in baritones @20 is really sharp, trumpets @27 good job… why do I hear triangle through this section (percussion?), need to run @32 with the two separate voices then put it back together, lost trumpet part @40 in the recording… need to run this a few times, @49 isn’t clear… aren’t together going into rit. @50

INTERMEDIATE BAND: FALL 2024 REPERTOIRE
1. Faure Pavane (Faure arr. Anne McGinty)
2. Pachelbel’s Canon (Pachelbel arr. Andrew Balent)
3. Peer Gynt Suite (Edvard Grieg arr. Charles Sayre)
4. Russian Sailor’s Dance (Gliere arr. Paul Lavender)
5. Troika (Prokofiev arr. Paul Lavender)
6. Verdi Prati (Handel arr. Albert D. Davis)

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 12
2 Rehearsals until first Dec Concert
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Rehearsal Recording Week: we will be making rehearsal recordings of all of our potential works for the concert. Here is the proposed concert order:
Faure Pavane
Verdi Prati
Russian Sailors
Pachelbel’s
Peer Gynt Suite
Troika
Once the recording session is complete, we will dig into Faure Pavane again. Then, if time, we will look at Peer Gynt

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 11
3 Rehearsals until 1st Dec Concert
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

December Concert Schedule:
Monday, December 9th, 2024 @7pm
Season of Light
Christ Church Dartmouth, 50 Wentworth Street
Second Chances Singers & String Ensemble

Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 @6:30pm
Orchestral Classics for the Holidays
Northwood Halifax Retirement Center, 2615 Northwood Terrace
Second Chances Intermediate and Symphonic Bands

Sunday, December 15th, 2024 @2pm
December Showcase Performance
Mount Saint Vincent University, Rosaria Hall’s Multipurpose Room
Second Chances Jazz Band, Beginner Band, Intermediate Band and Symphonic Band

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Faure Pavane: continue to work on steady eighth movement, keeping forward motion, lyrical playing and knowing when to come out and when to blend back into the sound of the ensemble
Troika: read through only
Russian Sailors: read through, work transitions so everyone is ready for increases in tempo
IF TIME: Pachelbel: read through

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 10
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

AGM Update:
Thank you to all who took the time to attend our AGM on Tuesday last week. The resolution to change the name of our organization passed unanimously. Now we will submit the proper paperwork to the province for approval.

In addition, I wanted to thank those who agreed to serve on the board of directors for the 2024-2025 season. Your new board members are:
Anne Marie Archibald
Marion Bernard-Nauss
Johnna Campbell
Ken Courrier
Kevin DesRoches
Lori Esling
Natalie Foster
Patti Green
Denise Henwood
Cheryl Marshall
Phil Payzant
Tony Sweet

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Verdi Prati: remember who has the melody and who doesn’t, we will continue to work on breathing together at the end of phrases.
Peer Gynt… all movements: read through entire work in order
Faure Pavane: continue to work on steady eighth movement, keeping forward motion, lyrical playing and knowing when to come out and when to blend back into the sound of the ensemble
Russian Sailors: read through, work transitions so everyone is ready for increases in tempo
Troika: read through, review of work covered last week with Mitchell
IF TIME: Pachelbel: read through

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 9
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

SPECIAL EVENT HOSTED BY Nova Scotia Band Association
Why Not Try Something New?

Come meet with Dalhousie University’s Fountain School of Performing Arts faculty and community clinicians as they demonstrate and explain how these instruments work. Pending availability we hope to provide you with instruments to try.

Sessions are open to community members ages 14+. Space is limited. Fill out this form to reserve your seat. If you can bring your own instrument/reeds, please do so.

In collaboration with Nova Scotia Band Association and Long and McQuade Musical Instruments.

***REMINDER: This Tuesday, November 5th is the Annual General Meeting for the Second Chances Community Band Program of Nova Scotia. Remember that we are a registered non-profit society with the province of Nova Scotia, and everyone who pays a fee to be a part of the organization (aka. all of you) are officially members of the society and have an invested interest in our continued success.

The meeting will begin at 8pm as the intermediate band breaks. If you are available, why not stick around for an hour and hear how the society is doing as a whole, the direction we hope to go during the 2024-2025 season and be a part of the decision making side of the Second Chances organization!

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Troika: read through, review of work covered last week with Mitchell
Verdi Prati: all voices support each other, who has the melody at the beginning? What about @A? We will run the opening with the harmony and low brass only… move together, breath together.
Peer Gynt… all movements: read through entire work in order
Russian Sailors: read through, work transitions so everyone is ready for increases in tempo
IF TIME: Pachelbel: read through

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 8
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Troika: read through, but then focus our rehearsal on @32 to the end
Peer Gynt mvt2: read through, followed by cleaning up any remaining issues
Peer Gynt mvt3: read through, incorporating what we worked on last week
Faure: read through only, hopefully incorporating what we worked on last week
IF TIME: Verdi Prati: read through

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 7
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

REMEMBRANCE DAY: Special Rehearsal at J.L. Ilsley Wed. Oct.23rd – For those of you who have graciously offered to participate in the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th, we will be having a combined rehearsal at J.L. Ilsley (138 Sylvia Ave, Halifax, NS B3R 1J9) on Wednesday, October 23rd from 7-8pm in the music room. Please join us.

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Pachelbel: read through only
Faure: review the melodic line 16th notes, review light eighth note parts, run @43 focusing on the inner parts, run @60 for triplet accuracy, @89 TSx plays horn cues, run @92-94 with clarinets, review @95 with flutes and alto sax… transition from eighths to triplets and back, how soft can we play the ending?
Peer Gynt mvt 3: read through, continue to work on waltz feel and accuracy with the articulations
IF TIME: Verdi Prati: read through

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 6
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

REMEMBRANCE DAY: Request for Players – We are in need of additional brass players to join the Symphonic Band and the J.L. Ilsley Band for the Remembrance Day ceremony in the morning of November 11th. If you are available and willing to lend us your musical talents, please let me know. The band will be performing O’Canada, God Save the Queen/King and Amazing Grace (Jacob deHaan).

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Troika: read through, will focus on the opening and the transition into the faster section. Will take time to run the section @13 a few times with special attention to the transition OUT of this section and into @32 (do not slow down)
Peer Gynt mvt 1: run opening with flutes and bells alone, then run melody @9 (clar/asx), look at eighth note parts @17, ensure everyone understands where the climax is (dynamic = ff), final piece of the puzzle is the immediate slow tempo change @41
Peer Gynt mvt 2: remember… slow tempo, accidentals are important, phrasing and articulations are important, adding clear chimes part. Run percussion @59, then add winds again… again last three measures, huge tempo change
Russian Sailors Dance: read through, this weeks focus will be on transitions and smooth increases in tempo
IF TIME: Faure: review the melodic line 16th notes, review light eighth note parts, run @43 focusing on the inner parts, run @60 for triplet accuracy, @89 TSx plays horn cues, run @92-94 with clarinets, run @95 with flutes and alto sax… transition from eighths to triplets and back, how soft can we play the ending?

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 5
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

NO RACHMANINOFF: In the interest of making the best use of our remaining rehearsal time, I have decided that we will not pursue the Rachmaninoff this season. Please focus your practice time on perfecting the remaining six pieces of our December performances

RE: DECEMBER CONCERT(s): Our showcase December Concert will take place on Sunday, December 15th this year. Neither the Singers nor the String Orchestra is able to join us for the showcase this fall. We have decided to divide the performing groups into two concerts offered back to back. The concert bands (beg, int and symph) will perform earlier in the afternoon, while the jazz band will perform separately later in the afternoon. I am hoping to include the small ensembles and the jazz combos as casual entertainment in between. Stay tuned for additional performance dates.

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Faure: we will start with a play through of @1-51 in order to review what we worked on two weeks ago. Then we will focus this evening on @51 to the end.
Russian Sailors: will be starting from the end and working backwards, wish special attention on lining up the percussion lines with everyone else
Peer Gynt mvt 4: read through first, then will focus on correct rhythms, correct notes and correct articulations throughout
IF TIME: Peer Gynt mvt1: will start at the beginning, but will be looking for correct notes and dynamics

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 4
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church, 5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Pachelbels: remember to connect the phrases, regardless of whether you have eighth notes or half notes… dynamic contrasts must be a focus
Troika: will be starting from the end and working backwards, section by section
Peer Gynt mvt 3: we must create a strong waltz feel here, remember articulations, especially staccato vs slurred sections
Rachmaninoff: will focus on @63 to the end tonight, keeping all notes short and precise rhythmically. Remember dynamic contrasts as written
IF TIME: Verdi Prati

INTERMEDIATE BAND: FALL 2024 REPERTOIRE
1. Faure Pavane (Faure arr. Anne McGinty)
2. Pachelbel’s Canon (Pachelbel arr. Andrew Balent)
3. Peer Gynt Suite (Edvard Grieg arr. Charles Sayre)
4. Rachmaninoff: Prelude (Rachmaninoff arr. Anne McGinty)
5. Russian Sailor’s Dance (Gliere arr. Paul Lavender)
6. Troika (Prokofiev arr. Paul Lavender)
7. Verdi Prati (Handel arr. Albert D. Davis)

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 3
Tuesday, Sept 24, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Salvation Army Church, 328 Herring Cove Rd, Halifax

DIFFERENT REHEARSAL LOCATION THIS WEEK!
Just a reminder that this week (September 23-27th) the Aurora North End Parish Church will have contractors working in the sanctuary space. Over the course of the week, they will be removing all of the old carpet and replacing it with new.

As a result, we have made arrangements to hold our rehearsals for both the small ensembles and the intermediate band at the Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters building, 330 Herring Cove Road, Spryfield/Halifax.

The Salvation Army has been kind enough to offer us rehearsal space free of charge next week, but I felt it might be nice to offer a donation to the organization as a kind of thank you. If you are willing and able, I will place a jar near my conductor’s stand during rehearsal next week. Feel free to donate any amount you feel is appropriate and we will make sure it is gifted to the Salvation Army on the band’s behalf.

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Faure: are going to start at the beginning and work to @51, will address balance, dynamics and phrasing
Peer Gynt mvt 1: balance with flutes in beginning (Bsx plays Bsn cues), attention to dynamics and phrase markings, big tempo change at end
Peer Gynt mvt 2: watch accidentals here, these are important notes that are outside the given key signature. Will pay attention to balance and dynamics
Russian Sailors: in opening, we will break up those who play quarters from those with eighth rhythms. I want strong accents on quarters. Percussion roll? Crescendo in the middle? Do we all stop together? @14 should feel lazy and melodic line ‘drunk’, everyone else though should be exact.
IF TIME: Pachelbel’s

INTERMEDIATE BAND: FALL 2024 REPERTOIRE
1. Faure Pavane (Faure arr. Anne McGinty)
2. Pachelbel’s Canon (Pachelbel arr. Andrew Balent)
3. Peer Gynt Suite (Edvard Grieg arr. Charles Sayre)
4. Rachmaninoff: Prelude (Rachmaninoff arr. Anne McGinty)
5. Russian Sailor’s Dance (Gliere arr. Paul Lavender)
6. Troika (Prokofiev arr. Paul Lavender)
7. Verdi Prati (Handel arr. Albert D. Davis)

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 2
Tuesday, Sept 17, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church
5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the intermediate band program, contact the executive director of the Second Chances Band Program, Chris Ward at eloboesolo@gmail.com

A NOTE FROM THE NB BAND ASSOCIATION:
re: The Bathurst Community Band Festival 2024

We have a fantastic large group already registered for our festivals but, still room for more! Time is running out quickly – registration ends tomorrow (Friday Sep. 13) at midnight. Don’t delay any longer. WE WANT TO SEE YOU IN BATHURST from Sep. 27th-29th for Bathurst Festination 2024! Tomorrow is also the final day to book at the preferred hotel for discount pricing.
www.nbbamusic.ca/fest2024

https://www.nbbamusic.ca/where-to-stay.html

Jeff MacQuarrie

RECORDINGS HAVE NOW BEEN POSTED
If you enjoy listening to recordings of the music we are rehearsing, either for your own enjoyment or for home practice, then please be advised that I have now posted recordings of a number of the selections on the Recordings page under the LOGIN menu.

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Sightreading: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band
Verdi Prati: we will start digging into this, working on rhythms, counting and balance
Rachmaninoff: going to start at the beginning and start working through this piece, we are going to slow down the tempo a bit so we can get the sixteenth passages to flow better
Troika: will be starting from the end and working backwards, section by section
IF TIME: will be sight reading Russian Sailor’s Dance

INTERMEDIATE BAND: FALL 2024 REPERTOIRE
1. Faure Pavane (Faure arr. Anne McGinty)
2. Pachelbel’s Canon (Pachelbel arr. Andrew Balent)
3. Peer Gynt Suite (Edvard Grieg arr. Charles Sayre)
4. Rachmaninoff: Prelude (Rachmaninoff arr. Anne McGinty)
5. Troika (Prokofiev arr. Paul Lavender)
6. Verdi Prati (Handel arr. Albert D. Davis)

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Second Chances Intermediate Band
Objectives Page
2024 Fall Season
Week 1 – READING SESSION
Tuesday, Sept 10, 2024 at 7pm
Location: Aurora North End Parish Church
5666 Sebastian Street, Halifax

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the intermediate band program, contact the executive director of the Second Chances Band Program, Chris Ward at eloboesolo@gmail.com

Objectives for Rehearsal include:

Quick Warm Up: Bb Concert Scale, up and down
Verdi Prati: read through
Peer Gynt: read through
Rachmaninoff: read through
Faure Pavane: read through
Troika: read through
Pachelbel: read through

INTERMEDIATE BAND: FALL 2024 REPERTOIRE
1. Faure Pavane (Faure arr. Anne McGinty)
2. Pachelbel’s Canon (Pachelbel arr. Andrew Balent)
3. Peer Gynt Suite (Edvard Grieg arr. Charles Sayre)
4. Rachmaninoff: Prelude (Rachmaninoff arr. Anne McGinty)
5. Troika (Prokofiev arr. Paul Lavender)
6. Verdi Prati (Handel arr. Albert D. Davis)

FEES for Fall 2024:
In September, each member of the Second Chances Intermediate Band will be asked to pay the fall season’s registration fee. If they do not already own it, they will also be asked to acquire the following book: 66 Festive and Famous Chorales for Band (Frank Erickson). This book will be used regularly during rehearsals this season.

$175 registration fee (1st group)
$90 registration fee (2nd group)
$50 registration fee for a student currently in high school or attending a recognized post secondary institution
$15 estimated cost of book from Long & McQuade

Halifax Community Band Festival
Don’t forget about our very own Halifax Community Band Festival being held at Mount Saint Vincent University on May 23rd through 25th 2025! This is the weekend we host players from various different community bands from all over the Maritime provinces for a fellowship of music making and networking. Make sure you mark it on your calendar! It’s a great chance to learn from great guest conductors and meet new friends who love to play as well!
website: https://www.secondchancesband-ns.com/hfx-band-fest/

Second Chances Community Band Society of Nova Scotia

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