You ever have one of those weeks that just flies by and you’re pretty sure you had plenty to smile about but you can’t really remember anything specific? Well, that’s been my week. So this week’s smile comes to you from this very afternoon, the last afternoon of the week.
Today I attended a band concert at our local high school. But this isn’t just any band – it’s made up of band directors, private music teachers and a few assorted graduate music students. Talk about talent filling a hall!
Though the house wasn’t full (and it should have been, all the students of all these teachers should have been there) those of us in the audience were serious appreciates of good music. During one piece I noticed a guy up one row and to my left conducting along with the music. And there was plenty of head bopping going on all around me. Yep, the place was filled with musicians and musician’s families.
And in the middle of their last piece, Danzon No. 2 by Marquez, where the piece gets extra wild and a bit raunchy, (about 7:38 into the piece, see link above.), I actually got goosebumps.
That was definitely cause for a smile.
Change Is Hard 
November 24, 2019 at 8:09 pm
Sounds like a great concert. I’m not familiar with the music you shared – I don’t listen to concert band music often, though some of it can be quite remarkable. From what I read, though, this is for full orchestra but arranged for concert band (I listened to a little of the orchestra version too…) Sounds like something to smile about 🙂
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November 24, 2019 at 8:17 pm
If you haven’t seen it, check out this version: https://youtu.be/pjZPHW0qVvo The excitement of the conductor is just amazing!
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November 25, 2019 at 8:08 am
I had not seen that one, thank you! I actually like the orchestra version better, the strings are much smoother than woodwinds are in the fast section. I have seen another version, also orchestra with a male conductor that is animated as well. The music is wonderful in all of them, as it was Sunday with the band I heard.
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November 25, 2019 at 1:51 pm
You’re right — the auditorium really should have been full! Sounds like an excellent concert. These Spanish-sounding pieces really demand a LOT of counting — just “feeling the beat” doesn’t get it done! Now I’m smiling, too.
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November 25, 2019 at 7:54 pm
It’s sure not an easy piece to play, but so fun!
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November 26, 2019 at 1:23 am
Good music definitely makes for a great smile 🙂
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November 26, 2019 at 6:40 am
It sure does!
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December 7, 2019 at 9:29 pm
Holy smokeroonies, that was terrific! I played flute in high school and college, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a full score before, that was fascinating to follow along. And the music was great, after a page or two I was bouncing along in my chair here at home right with it. Wow, great music. Thank you! 🙂
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December 7, 2019 at 11:11 pm
Glad you liked it. I love that piece. It IS fun to read the score and follow along. There’s another YouTube version with a European (If I remember right, might have been Latin) orchestra that is fun to watch. They really get into the , music.
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