 
Here are some notes about the pieces we are playing:
The Incredibles
This is a great arrangement of the theme to this fun Pixar movie. It is a really good imitation of old time super hero music. We'll need lots of articulation, attention to dynamics and intensity for this one.
Piper's Rhapsody
This piece is a short medley of Scotland the Brave, Loch Lomond, Sailor's Hornpipe and Amazing Grace. I like the variety of styles it goes through and how themes and styles are combined toward the end. We'll have to look out for key changes and, of course, the changes in style throughout the piece.
Arioso
This chorale by J.S. Bach is a beautiful example of Bach's genius. It is basically quite simple but there's so much going on as well. It is very slow so be careful to maintain a constant slow tempo. Slow pieces present a set of different of issues from uptempo tunes including breathing, tone, gradual dynamic changes and sustained long phrases. But when we do it right the music will be really moving.
African Marching Song
This is a band setting of the South African Folk-song "Siyahamba". It has great energy, fun rhythms. If we have time we'll all do some African rhythm playing to begin the piece.
And the Fire Raged
Before writing this piece the composer witnessed a weeklong fire burning near his home. That experience was the inspiration for this piece. It begins slowly and quietly (with lots of slow triplets) but soon develops into a very exciting fast section. I like the high woodwind "punctuation" and the imitation throughout many instruments. Watch out for all the triplets, key changes, tempo changes and time signature changes.
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