short post--composition project update

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This week is the first "due date" for the composition project I mentioned earlier.

I finished mine in time (whew) and sent it to the other three participants. So far this week, one other person has finished and sent out parts. I'm planning on recording all of them and posting next week what they sound like. I'm pretty excited to hear them all, as even the first two are very different in character.

Check back next week for the musical results and more details!

gradual improvements (Schiller tubas)

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In the past six years, I've purchased five new tubas for my school. I discussed this earlier but thought that it might be helpful to show the changes that have taken place in just a few years in the tubas under the Schiller label (sold by Jim Laabs Music).

First, what am I comparing?

tubas 1, 2, 4, and 5

tubas 1, 2, 4, and 5

Tuba #1 – 4-valve (rotary)
Tuba #2 – 3-valve (piston)
Tubas #3, 4, and 5 – 4-valve (piston)

In terms of build quality, I haven't actually seen a big difference. The finish on each tuba is pretty nice with just an occasional spot of less than perfect soldering. The valves have worked without issues on all of the instruments, and all of them play in tune. The biggest difference I have seen has been in the quality of the case provided with each instrument.

The first two cases, while still able to protect a tuba inside, are falling apart. The first parts to start failing were the wheels and legs that keep the case upright. Screws rusted a bit, and and because they protrude so much (and have the weight of a tuba behind them), they have been broken off. Next, the seam between the two halves of the case has been stressed. It still holds together, but it is coming apart and held together by the fabric. The carrying and pulling handles are also fraying. Both cases do still roll (somewhat awkwardly), so I haven't had to invest in a new case yet.

Starting with Tuba #3, things changed. The feet and wheels don't stick out as much, and that has made all the difference in the world. This tuba has been in use for 2 1/2, and the first two showed significant signs of deterioration by that point. So far, the case for Tuba #3 looks good (including the carrying/pulling handles--they received some extra reinforcement). 

tuba #1 - tolerable

tuba #5 - improved strap

Tubas 4 and 5 were purchased within the last four months. The wheels have gotten chunkier, the feet are similar in design, and I don't see any new problems with the design changes.

Tuba #3 - better wheels

Tuba #5 - chunky wheels

Tuba #5 - better feet (six instead of 2!)

One thing that all the cases have in common is that they don't roll as well when pulled as when pushed. They tend to rock from side to side and tip over easily.

upcoming composition project

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Exciting news!

During the next nine months or so, I'll be working with three other teacher/composers on a series of projects for our school ensembles. There are four compositional challenges for each of us to complete. At the conclusion of each one, we'll send parts to each other and have our ensembles read the results. In future posts, I'll detail the group involved and hopefully be able to share some of the products of the project. For today, I'll explain our guidelines and the first project.

First, we are going to write for grade 1 - 1.5. The ensembles we teach are a mix of high school and middle school groups, so we are aiming at a level that everyone will be able to play without spending an enormous amount of rehearsal time. None of us have huge, complete ensembles, so typical scoring for grade 1 - 1.5 allows for ample doubling. Our instrumentation is:

Flute/Oboe
2 Clarinet parts
Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
2 Trumpet parts
F Horn
Bass - (including bassoon, bass clarinet, bari sax, trombone, baritone, tuba)
Percussion

The first task is simple--harmonize a given melody in four parts. The melody is taken from a short Bach chorale, and we have an early November deadline for the parts to be finished. In some ways, this is the simplest of the four projects. Still, I don't want to mess up the Bach too much!