Final Concert Reflection

This concert was probably one of our best so far because we have grown so much as a band and as people and it was really a great concert. We had many things that were better than they ever were, and some things that still needed work. Overall, I thought we really played our hardest and have done so much but have so much to do for next year. Our first piece, March to the Scaffold, was very well executed (no pun intended!), and we really started off the concert well. The beginning was very good; we had good dynamics. From m.25 to 51, the running phrases that were played could have had more space between them. At 51, I thought our dynamics were quite good and we had lots of space and a marcato style. At the coda, I thought the people playing melody could have been louder from 79 to 88 because the harmony took over a little bit. At m.88, we did a really good ritardando and had a lot of dynamic contrast in the diminuendos and the sudden fortes. The articulation from 96 to 107 was really good and that part was really solid. The solo was good, and at m.118, I think that we could have had more of a Ta - Da but we were louder than were normally are, which was good. Overall, the piece was quite good. The next piece, Sun Cycles, was quite good as well. The solo at the beginning was good, and the harmony in the background was really nice. At the second section, Journey through the Sky, I thought it was a little faster than in rehearsal, but it still sounded clean and clear. The dynamic contrast was really good between the melody and harmony, but at m.55 we could have been louder and more confident at the entrances. The rest of the section was really good. The third section, Underworld, was pretty good, but it could have used some more work. The dynamics were good, but we could have been more confident. The ending was quite good and grand. Overall, this piece was the one that required the most work of the three but it was still good. The final piece, Brave, was the best of the three, I thought. The first section, Fate and Destiny, was really good, though the first notes could have been more confident. The second section, Touch the Sky, was quite good, especially the fast section, because all the eighth notes were very clear and intonation was good. From m.46 to m.72, the melody was really good because we held the tenuto notes out and we had good tone. The solos in the third section, Noble Maiden Fair, were really good, and the section had a peaceful and calm vibe to it. The fourth section, The Games, was really good. Our articulation on the eighth notes were really good and clear. Overall, I thought that section was one of the best of the song. The final section, Merida's Home, was a spectacular ending. We had really good tone and articulation. The intonation was also good in the high register. The ending was huge and grand, a perfect ending to a wonderful final concert. This whole year has been one of new experiences, both good and bad, as we all came to the IA, not knowing what to expect. Band has been a really fun experience, as I got to meet so many new people and have a class to truly express myself musically. This whole year was so much fun, and I can't wait for next year!