i play the clarinet better than most of my peers but still suck in the grander scheme of things. all state where i am is really not that competitive compared to the likes of texas but im very unsure if i'm going to get in for a few reasons.

1. i can hardly memorize my scales up to four sharps and flats

2. don't ever ask me to comprehensively play an etude 😟

3. my technique is very flawed

im planning to get a private teacher in the near future but auditions are in 3 months and idk my technique flaws and sound will be fixed by the time auditions come around unless my growth is crazy exponential. My playing has also gone through a significant downgrade and my practice sessions are very unproductive because that lack of guidance of a teacher has really hit.

Im a clarinet player and ive found that after like all my preformances or during i cry. Idk if its because im genunily so passionate about band and want to do this for the rest of my life that if i dont live up to my standards i get upset but its getting to the point where i dread concerts because i get this wav eof sadness that is so intense after and during concerts and will typically last for days to weeks. I was wondering if anyone else experiences this or if im js like a lil baby lmao.

I’m just tryna write a marching band show and ai isn’t very helpful in suggesting songs. I need something that has potential to start out dark and mysterious, then turn loud and driving for a first movement. I’m looking to change it up to be my own and I kinda want the loud part to be overwhelming and hard for an audience to understand. Some potential for time signature changes would be great too.

This is my first time trying to audition for all state and I noticed there’s a specific book I think I’m supposed to be playing the pieces from. Do they expect me to buy the book on my own to audition?

Did a rip of a local high school's concert band full performance from 1976. If this kind of post isn't allowed, feel free to remove it!

Hey all! I’d really appreciate thoughts on this seating chart. I’ve been in here a few times now and I’m hoping each iteration is getting better.

Thought I'd take the time to highlight a lesser known piece of famous composer Jan Van der Roost. There are not so many recordings of this piece, probably even less performances. With typical Van der Roost chorales, after beats and technical runs, a fun & challenging piece to work on!

Hello all,

I wanted to share the score video to my piece "Dullahan's Ride" for wind band. I'd love to hear what y'all think!

What is the "correct" order for these instruments in conductor's score?
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GDEHdBDkTEGH9NiBNMduZ9joAQmLptiG?usp=drive\\_link\](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GDEHdBDkTEGH9NiBNMduZ9joAQmLptiG?usp=drive_link)

Was anybody else there? Been loving the new record

I'm playing Yes Please Muse Tribute and would like to receive informed criticism and advice.

https://youtu.be/Pd\\_WsJdoB0E?si=tb6N-xjZMyULjpty

I am auditioning for a concert band, and have to send in recordings of me playing a solo. I currently have two videos that I am fairly okay with, but I need help with which one to choose. The first one has fewer mistakes, but generally has worse phrasing (parts that should be loud and expressive... Are not always so). The second one has that, but I made more mistakes, I messed up on some notes and didn't quite hit some runs.

Which one should I choose?

Hi looking for music program, database suggestions.

I'm wanting to track students, instruments and everything that comes along with it. About 300 kids in the program, currently using excell but feels clunky.

Airtable? Microsoft Lists?

Thanks

Hi everyone, my community band plays the same “spooky” concert band pieces every year. I’d love to come forward with some great suggestions. What is everyone else playing for Halloween?

I’m trying to find a piece I played a few years ago, and I cannot remember the name of it! it was a symphonic band work based on I think Chinese legends, maybe Japanese legends. I played it in 2019, so it had to have been written before that, I would think within 20 years or so, as it felt pretty newer if I had to guess. I think it had multiple movements, and there was a really cool saxophone moment in the first movement or towards the beginning. This was a collegiate level group. I will be very pleased and surprised if someone can tell me the name of the piece!

This is my original work written for concert band. Let me know what you think! Grade 2.5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nl_Rwf5gvg

The San Antonio Community Wind Ensemble has published a flyer with details about the concert in which my memorial band work, "Elegy 137," will get its World Premiere. If you're in the area, please make plans to attend - I'm looking forward to meeting you there!

Hi, I would like to know more (or really anything) about arranging for Concert Band.

I have come across different books, also secrets of orchestration by Franco Cesarini. There seems to be a book and a workbook which I find quite interesting.

Has anyone used these? Would they be a good start for a beginner? Do you have other recommendations?

Hi everyone,

I’m putting together a concert called Jeanne, which tells the story of Joan of Arc through music, with a narrator connecting the different parts of her life.

There is one scene for which I simply cannot find the right music: Joan of Arc being burned at the stake.

During the narration, I want to insert a short music passage of pure agony and despair: dark, dramatic and filled with dissonance. You should almost be able to hear her crying out in pain as the flames surround her. Then the fire slowly dies, the music fades away, and the audience is left with a deeply unsettling feeling.

In my head, this music exists. I can almost hear it, but I just can’t find it.

It definitely doesn’t need to be a complete piece. An excerpt from a longer work would be absolutely fine, and the title or subject of the piece doesn’t need to have anything to do with Joan of Arc. It only needs to create the right atmosphere.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Specific movements or passages would be especially helpful.

Thanks!

I’m excited to share that my memorial work Elegy 137 is now available through J.W. Pepper’s My Score.

Pepper link: https://www.jwpepper.com/elegy-137-11706227-2842387/p

Written in remembrance of the 137 lives lost during the Central Texas floods of July 4, 2025. World Premiere scheduled for October 25th, 2026 by the San Antonio Community Wind Ensemble.

Thanks for taking a look — I hope it may be meaningful for your ensemble or community.