Marching Band Competitions:
Circuits vs Local Shows
One of the big decisions high school band directors make is the decision of which competitions are appropriate for the program in relationship to the direction in which the program is heading. Regardless of the arguments surrounding the debate of circuit competition and local competitions, the decision ultimately lies in the hands of the Band Director based the future he or she sees for the program. The purpose of this article is not to promote or discourage one from the oth
GEORGE ROSENKRANS: A Forgotten Hero
As we close out the Month of Marches, WindConductor.com would like to honor a composer who may not be as well-known as Sousa and Fillmore, but made a strong contribution to the wind band idiom: George Rosenkrans. Many band directors may not recognize George Rosenkrans. However, his contributions to the the world of wind band music were significant. Over the course of his career, Rosenkrans would compose over 200 compositions for band. His music has been performed at major e
Karl King: The King of the Circus March
This week we take a look at a powerhouse in the march world, Karl Lawrence King. The music of Karl King was the background of countless circus performances and can still be heard today in auditoriums in the three rings of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Here are some cool facts about Karl King, the King of the Circus March! FACT #1 Karl King picked up a local newspaper route to earn enough money to purchase hi first musical instrument, a cornet, at the age of 11. Mostly self-ta
Fun Facts About HENRY FILLMORE
This week, in honor of the Month of Marches, we are taking a look at one of the most interesting characters in Wind Band Repertoire: Henry Fillmore. Fillmore’s life could easily be the subject of a classic American Novel by Mark Twain of John Steinbeck. The strangest thing about his life story is that it is ALL TRUE!! Check out these fun facts about Henry Fillmore: FUN FACT #1 He was shunned by his father for his love of the trombone. Fillmore loved the sound of the trombone
Fun facts about JOHN PHILIP SOUSA
March has finally arrived! And what better way to celebrate than by taking a look at the March King himself, John Philip Sousa. WindConductor.com offers some fun facts about the icon of the wind band world. FACT #1 John Philip Sousa tried to run away and join a circus band when we was 13 years old! Fortunately, his father saw his strong desire to begin a musical career as a positive and enlisted him into the Marine Band as an apprentice musician. FACT #2 After performing in
