I found this article very interesting for although there are not many players who suffer from this condition, it can be very frustrating if it happens to you. Velopharyngeal insufficiency

Diminishing interest in instrumental music programs has been attributed to many reasons including financial cut backs, the rise of computer programs and gaming diversions, student’s current lack of good practice habits, competing athletic programs, etc. And all of these distractions can have an influence on the current trend of failing band programs. But recently I came to another realization which may be another reason for our failing band programs and that is why I am at my computer keyboard and not in bed sleeping. Reason #1. Selected Studies is not relevant to our students. This collection was printed in 1953.…

Shortly after my first post explaining the difficulty in submitting arrangements for approval and eventual inclusion into the UIL Solo Ensemble List of accepted material, I received this communication from Mr. Gabe Musella which I have included below… Good morning, Dr. Chidester! My name is Gabe Musella and I am the newly hired UIL Assistant Music Director. One of my main responsibilities is to develop and execute a timeline to review and update the instrumental and vocal solo and ensemble portions of the Prescribed Music List. As a fellow composer and 30 year veteran of the classroom, I share your…

Total recent inclusions- 25   Medici Music Press includes 10 or 40% of all new “Trumpet Quartets” to Grade 2 level recently accepted   Code Event Name Title Composer Arranger Publisher [Collection] Grade Specification 340-2-13651 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet Kyrie in F Bach Dishinger Medici Music Press 2 340-2-13652 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet Kyrie in G Bach Dishinger Medici Music Press 2 340-2-13653 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet Rowland Byrd Dishinger Medici Music Press 2 (no repeats) 340-2-13654 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet The Earle of Oxford’s Marche Byrd Dishinger Medici Music Press 2 340-2-13655 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet Two Renaissance Canons des Pres Decker Medici Music Press 2 340-2-13656 Cornet-Trumpet Quartet…

“Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time”. “Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time”. “Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time”. “Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time”. To most of you, this organization and their simple yet straight forward statement “Solo and ensemble repertoire will not be considered at this time” has little meaning or importance. But to the hundreds of aspiring composers/arrangers around the country, this statement is a point of great frustration which only a composer/arranger can fully understand. Those 10…

Many of you may not recognize the name Jen Houck, unless you remember reading some of her comments and her very helpful suggestions on some inexpensive equipment that will make cleaning your horn much easier- Now Here Is A Great Idea! or you might remember this one Carroll Community Wind Ensemble Trumpet Players Jen has been a very good friend of mine for many years now and her insight and fresh look at simple as well as complex problems is always welcome on our site. Recently she contacted me for some ideas which she wanted to implement in her upcoming…

In the beginning there was the smile. I was first introduced to the smile embouchure by my first cornet teacher, Mr.Earl E. Youngdahl in Moline, Illinois when I was in fourth grade. The lesson went something like this- “Mr. Youngdahl, how can I play the high notes”? His response went somewhat like this- “When you play the high notes, you need to stretch the corners of your lips outward as if you are stretching a rubber band by pulling on both ends at the same time”. And now you know why I have never been able to play with ease…