Bandstand S1E18: Teaching Small Bands, with Benjamin Martin

Summary In this episode, Benjamin Martin, the director of bands at Huntingdon High School, discusses the importance of fundamentals in small band programs. He emphasizes the need for quality over quantity and shares his experiences and insights on improving small bands. Benjamin highlights the significance of fundamentals such as singing every day, long tones, buzzing, lip slurs, and rhythm exercises. He also discusses the importance of variety and creativity in warm-ups and the benefits of transposition and chorales. Benjamin emphasizes that fundamentals are crucial for developing a strong foundation and achieving success in small band programs. He also shares his insights on choosing literature for performances, emphasizing the need to play to the strengths of the ensemble and select pieces that will challenge and improve the group. Benjamin also discusses the use of electronics in marching band and the benefits of incorporating them to enhance sound and create a cinematic experience. He concludes by sharing rehearsal suggestions, including the importance of small reps, keeping instructions simple, and planning ahead. Keywords fundamentals, small band programs, quality over quantity, singing, long tones, buzzing, lip slurs, rhythm exercises, variety, creativity, transposition, corals, strong foundation, success, warm-ups, conducting practice, choosing literature, playing to strengths, challenging music, electronics in marching band, rehearsal suggestions Takeaways Fundamentals are crucial for developing a strong foundation in small band programs. Quality over quantity should be prioritized in small bands. Singing every day helps with intonation and ear training. Long tones, buzzing, and lip slurs improve breath support and tone quality. Rhythm exercises are essential for developing rhythmic accuracy. Variety and creativity in warm-ups keep students engaged. Transposition and chorals add variety and challenge to warm-ups. Devoting time to fundamentals leads to better overall ensemble performance. Warm-ups are not only for the ensemble but also for the conductor to practice conducting and improve their skills. When choosing literature, it is important to play to the strengths of the ensemble and select pieces that will challenge and improve the group. Incorporating electronics in marching band can enhance the sound and create a cinematic experience, but it requires careful planning and investment. Rehearsal suggestions include focusing on small reps, keeping instructions simple, and planning ahead to ensure a productive and efficient rehearsal. Sound Bites "Quality over quantity." "It's all in the writing." "Fundamentals are so important." "That's the first thing we warm up on as a concert F...it really helps with watching your conductor and responding to the conductor as well." "Don't play every hard piece you've ever wanted to play on a concert...play to your strengths."