As Homecoming season is approaching, I've been reminiscing about last year at this time. My last Homecoming before retiring from the Wooster City Schools was a special one. The fourth ever Alumni Band & Reunion was a huge part of the weekend. Seeing so many proud, musical alumni come back for the halftime performance was fantastic.
One of the highlights for me was the performance of an arrangement I put together for the occasion. It was a combination of original tunes and WHS staples, and it opened the show. Below is a clip of the performance (thanks, Andi Williams!).
This was one of the more impressive marching band moments that I can recall over all of my years of teaching… what a sound! Crank it up, and give it a listen.
If you're curious, here are all the melodies referenced in the arrangement. If you're an alumnus, let me know how many of these you were able to identify.
Woo 8 Fanfare Carmen Ohio French National Defile Hang On Sloopy Cheer #10 - Entrance of the Generals Cheer #4 - W-O-O-S-T-E-R Seven Nation Army Superfly (cadence) Cheer #7 - Woo Rah W&L Swing Across the Field Woo III Fanfare Jam (cadence)
The web site went through a complete overhaul. Changes include a new layout, more audio samples, and more score samples. Your feedback is appreciated. Thanks for visiting.
Marking my retirement, I recently performed my final concert with the Wooster High School Symphonic Band. Saying Goodbye was written for the group to show my respect for the students and program that I will miss greatly.
I just completed a new suite for Trombone, Bass Saxophone, and Drums. Entitled “Suiter and Lower”, it’s a sequel to my “Suite and Low“ for Trombone and Bass Saxophone.
In 5 movements, this one features 5 different styles and those individuals that inspired each movement:
I. Brutus (march - inspired by Brutus Buckeye). II. Sergio (latin - inspired by Sergio Mendes). III. Clyde or Jabo (funk - inspired by Clyde Stubblefield and “Jabo” Starks). IV. Greg or Ian (chant). V. James (jig - inspired by James Galway.
It will be performed at our annual Wooster City Schools Music Faculty Recital on January 22nd.
