NCBF Play Days 2021
What a fantastic weekend of playing! The ncbf Play Days ‘Blow Away the Cobwebs’ and ‘Back In The Groove’ were two full days, aiming to bring musicians together and make music again. On Saturday, wind band players […]
Read moreTag: Big Band
FLEXIBLE ENSEMBLES ARE GO!!
In my last article I promised a separate Flexible Ensembles list, with recommendations for both wind and big bands. However on reflection I have decided to set out my suggestions in a different format. As bands start […]
Read more
New Repertoire Lists for 2021 – 2022 Released
You will notice that there is a rather distinct difference in the updates to the Repertoire Lists for Wind Band and Big Band this year. For Wind Bands, there are only 6 new additions with promises of […]
Read more
Back To The Band Room – Part 4
As promised in Part 3 of this short series, here are some suggestions for what Sir Thomas Beecham called “lollipops” – pieces that fit very well at the end of your programme, some are entertainment style, others […]
Read more
NCBF New Big Band Repertoire List Additions 2020/21 (Part 5)
YouTube clips feature ‘Score and Sound’ or live performances worth listening to. Here I look at pieces at Grade 5 – 6 Happy listening! Barrie Johnson A top composer/arranger who continuously produces imaginative charts.
Read more
NCBF New Big Band Repertoire List Additions 20/21 (Part 4)
YouTube clips feature ‘Score and Sound’ or live performances worth listening to. Here I look at pieces at Grade 4 – 5 by three outstanding composer/arrangers. Happy listening! Barrie Johnson
Read more
NCBF New Big Band Repertoire List Additions 20/21 (Part 3)
YouTube clips feature ‘Score and Sound’ or live performances worth listening to. Here I look at pieces at Grade 3 plus two exciting Grade 5 charts by Mark Taylor. Happy listening! Barrie Johnson
Read more
NCBF New Big Band Repertoire List Additions 2020/21 (Part 2)
YouTube clips feature ‘Score and Sound’ or live performances worth listening to. Here I look at pieces at Grades 1.5 – 2 plus pieces at higher grades by these composers. Happy listening! Barrie Johnson
Read more
NCBF New Big Band Repertoire List Additions 2020/21 (Part 1)
Preparing for next seasons National Concert Band Festival, I wanted to draw your attention to Big Band charts that have been added to the 2020/21 Repertoire List. At the same time I would like to introduce you […]
Read more
Recommended Listening – Big Bands
“I am delighted to have been asked to provide a selection of ten Youtube clips of big bands. I hope you find them as exciting and inspirational to listen to as I have (and continue to do). […]
Read more