Dallas part 1

It was wonderful to start my visit to Dallas with a free concert by the Plano Community Band in the Robinson Fine Arts Center under the direction of Dr Thomas Keck, featuring Italian trombonist Peter Steiner as a guest artist. The program has a well-considered mix of the old and the new with a very satisfying transcription of Arnold’s English Dances, Book 1 and the excitable Wild Nights! by Ticheli. Steiner was featured in Appermont’s Colors, Puccini’s Nessun Dorma and finished with the dazzling Bolivar by Eric Cook. It was great to see the options for students to continue their music-making beyond high school.

After recovering somewhat from the 17 hour jet lag difference, I was honoured to meet the esteemed band director and current Director of Fine Arts for the Lewisville Independent School District, Amanda Drinkwater. She is an incredibly knowledgeable educator who was very generous in sharing her time and allowing me to observe classes in some of the best music schools in the country. Plus, she loves Texas BBQ!

Next, it was off to visit Marcus High School where I could observe some classes. The band program is resourced to be successful with spacious rehearsal rooms, outstanding instruments, quality repertoire and classes timetabled daily – all supported by public education funding and department fundraising. I was able to see some sectional rehearsals including the percussion master, Kennan Wylie, who had 32 students preparing Bach on marimba in preparation for the all-state auditions. He literally wrote the book for successful beginning percussion and it was an honour to see him at work. Of course, their marching band was preparing to head to the biggest stage of the year, the Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, with an impressive theme of ‘chasing utopia’.

The next day I was at another high performing school with Flower Mound, who are also preparing 350 students for the 17 hour bus ride (in 9 buses) to Indianapolis to perform at the Grand Nationals. Seeing Band directors Brent Biskup and Jana Harvey at work was inspiring, particularly with their ability to provide the final guidance for a very polished performance to get to an even higher level. You can really tell that students want to be in that band program and are motivated to work hard both in school and with their home practice.

The day finished off with a concert by the Dallas Winds at Meyerson Hall complete with a foyer fanfare before the concert, a moment of honouring those who served for Veteran’s Day as well as acknowledging the school groups in attendance at the concert. Some incredible architecture and a very talented group of musicians.