As we begin the school year it is appropriate to consider the repertoire we will choose for each of our ensembles. Directors are frequently heard stating they need music to “challenge” their students, usually meaning technical challenges to improve student facility. I suggest that performance literature should be less technically demanding than the upper limits of the ensemble’s technical skill. Select music the students can comfortably perform, allowing for greater attention to the musical aspects of performance: phrasing, balance, tone, intonation, precision, style, etc. This approach ensures a more satisfying experience for the performers and audience alike. Technical growth can be addressed with non-performance materials in the daily warmup and drill.
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