Literature Programming

Literature Programming

“How do you program your concerts?”

So, I have been asked this question twice now over the past three days, so I think it’s time that I write it down. I don’t remember who told me this, or where I read it, but it has stuck with me for a very long time. It’s something that I think about every time I go to create a concert.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

It’s the old bridal saying. It's easy to remember, and this is why it works:

Something Old - A standard piece of band repertoire. Most likely needs to be written by someone who is NOT alive today. Standard lit. Standard lit doesn’t have to mean hard. There are arrangers out there that write fantastic arrangements of the ole’ standards. BE CAREFUL, however, of some of the arrangements. You really need to know the original before you choose an arrangement. Some don’t stick to the original standard. If you are taking an arrangement of a standard to contest, it has to be exceptionally written. I’ve had great luck with the Longfield arrangements of standards, as well as some Douglas Wagner arrangements. Sweeney has some great really easy arrangements of standards for very young bands.

Something New - This is self-explanatory. New composers, new style. Sometimes "older composers" wrote in a new age style. Popular “new” composers for band like Michael Markowski, John Mackey, Julie Giroux, Aaron Perrine, Alex Shapiro, David Maslanka, Eric Whitacre, etc.

Something Borrowed - A piece that wasn't originally written for band. An orchestral transcription is a great way to go. Overtures to operas, musicals etc. Even marches can fit into this category if they were written prior to the early 1800’s. Ballets are great for music that is recognizable.

Something Blue - A piece that is influenced by something else like art, jazz, history, a person, etc. Most pieces take influence from something. This category is a nod to pieces that are heavily influenced by another art form or person. One of the larger influencers is jazz music. Pieces like Rhapsody in Blue, Jazz Suite No. 2, etc. Pieces that were influenced by art like Pictures at an Exhibition, Scenes from the Louvre, etc.

I still keep in mind openers, closers, marches, ballads etc on where to place the pieces in program order. If I’m doing a themed concert, the saying doesn’t apply. Be sure to still consider opener vs. closer, biggie vs. ballad, audience appeal vs. director appeal. I still study lit. I like to know what all my options are. Conferences like Midwest are a great way to hear new lit. JWPepper, Alfred, Grand Mesa are also great resources. I’m always perusing through their online catalogs to see what has been added. Subscribe to the premier service bands youtube channels. Be on the constant lookout for great lit!

Hope this helps. And again, I can’t claim that saying as my own. Someone wiser than me came up with that one and it has stuck with me for a long time.

By Stephanie Williamson