Pro Tips for Band Directors
"Exploring the Masterworks"
with Dr. Chad R Nicholson
About the Series
Meet the Instructor
"Exploring the Masterworks"
Full Series
Full Pro Tips for Band Directors Series
$395
Includes 5, full stand-alone video courses
- Gustav Holst, First Suite in E-flat
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Gustav Holst, Suite No. 2 in F
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Ralph Vaughan Williams, English Folk Song Suite
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Percy Grainger, Colonial Song
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Norman Dello Joio, Scenes from "The Louvre"
Purchase Individual Series Courses
1. Gustav Holst, First Suite in E-Flat
Join Dr. Nicholson as he explores one of the most iconic pieces written for the modern wind band! He breaks down each movement, guiding students through the score to highlight many of Holst’s compositional ideas that make this a masterpiece in the genre. Then, Dr. Nicholson takes up the baton to share his most effective strategies for rehearsing and conducting this masterpiece. As an experienced band director, Dr. Nicholson focuses on practical solutions to the issues that most commonly occur in the music, and students will be able to immediately implement his suggestions with their own groups.
2. Gustav Holst, Suite No. 2 in F
Dr. Nicholson’s in-depth exploration of the band masterworks continues with Holst’s Second Suit in F. Unlike his First Suite in E-flat, which used “invented” folk songs, all of the songs in the Second Suite are authentic English song, some dating as far back as the 16th century. In this course, Dr. Nicholson serves as your tour guide through the music and its meanings, providing helpful conducting and rehearsal tis along the way. From the relentless reels to the clanging of the blacksmith’s hammer, no musical stone will be left unturned!
3. Ralph Vaughan Williams, English Folk Song Suite
In this course, Dr. Nicholson examines the first wind band composition by Ralph Vaughan Williams, drawing comparisons and contrasts to other masterworks of the British Band era. A perfect companion to the Holst suites, this masterwork provides numerous challenges for ensembles of every skill level, and Dr. Nicholson takes a practical look at the score to draw out important conducting gestures and rehearsal ideas that can help conductors bring the most music out of this deceptively difficult piece!
4. Percy Grainger, Colonial Song
Percy Grainger’s compositions for wind band are amongst the most impactful works in the repertoire. His methods for adapting folk song styles, along with firm beliefs in the democratic nature of music-making, infuse works like Colonial Song with immense rewards and challenges for the conductor and performers alike! Join Dr. Nicholson as he delves into this beautiful piece, giving tips and techniques that enhance conducting gestures and help draw the most out of your ensembles.
5. Norman Dello Joio, Scenes from "The Louvre"
What music might be expected when pairing a mid-1900s Pulitzer-winning composer with styles from the Renaissance and Baroque to support a television show about the development of France’s most famous museum? Norman Dello Joio’s Scenes from “The Louvre” is the masterwork that resulted from this unusual list of ingredients! Join Chad Nicholson on this tour of musical styles, score investigations, and conducting strategies that will assist conductors as they bring this beautiful work to their students.
