Briscoe Middle School Band

The 2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:45:00 +0000

As most people are aware, Madonna is set to perform a 12-minute set of music as part of this Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show in Indianapolis. After years of inviting classic rock acts to the Super Bowl stage (Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, the Who), it appears that the NFL is back in the habit of hiring current pop acts to fill this prestigious role. Though Madonna is by no means a new artist, Lady Gaga's success is heavily indebted to her, and according to this LA Times article, it appears that some other fairly well-known acts will be joining her. Are you familiar with Madonna or her music? Do you think she's a good choice for an event like the Super Bowl? If planning the Super Bowl halftime show was up to you, who would you hire and why? If you're reading this after the game, what did you think of Madonna's performance?

Etta James And The Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:59:00 +0000

Blues music has a rich legacy in American history. Along with country and jazz, blues is one of this country's oldest surviving musical genres, having sustained people through hard times over the past 200 years. Additionally, the DNA of modern music can be traced back to the blues, whether you listen to hip-hop, hard rock, or even pop music. This week, iconic singer Etta James passed away. Though most would categorize her as a blues singer, she dabbled in gospel, rock, pop, and jazz styles just as frequently over her 50-year career. If you're looking at this post from home, you can go to this link to experience some of James' most popular songs. If you click on this link, you can learn a little bit more about the influence of the blues over time and how other artists have incorporated it into their music. Have you ever heard of Etta James before? Do you listen to her or to anyone influenced by her? Is blues music something you'd consider investigating more in the future?

The Best Albums Of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:17:00 +0000

Nearly every major newspaper, website, and blog has published some version of a "Best Of 2011" list in the past month, which ranks and acknowledges the finest in 2011's movies, TV shows, books, and music. While critic lists can be informative and entertaining (such as this one from the Boston Globe), it's user-curated lists that provide the greatest indication of what we spent our money on over the past 12 months. Every December, NPR music asks its readers/listeners to vote on their favorite albums of the year. The results of that vote can be viewed by clicking here. Off the Top 25, approximately how many artists are recognizable to you? Why do you suppose these artists and their albums were so highly favored by the people who voted? Is there anyone on this list you'd be curious to investigate further? Lastly, if you were to list your own Top 3 Albums (or artists) of the Year, who would you include?

Salem State Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:44:00 +0000

This post is only intended for those students who attended last night's wind band concert at Salem State University. The concert's program featured multiple works by modern American composer Eric Whitacre. For those of you who were there, which of the three pieces performed ("October," "Equus," and "Cloudburst") was your favorite and why? Were there any instruments in the band that you found to be particularly interesting? What differences did you notice in each of the three conductors who were on the podium? How was the band's attention to the various musical elements (dynamics, articulation, tone quality, balance/blend, etc.)? Were you intrigued by Whitacre's music to the point that you might consider listening to more of his music on your own or even downloading some of his other pieces?

Spotify Hits The US

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:11:00 +0000

For anyone who hasn't heard yet, Spotify is a streaming digital music program that gives subscribers access to 15 million songs by a range of artists. Spotify went live in Europe in 2010 as a paid subscription service. Since its launch in America this past summer, listeners have been able to choose to either pay a monthly fee of $9.99 for full access or use their Facebook account to listen for free with limited access. Though iTunes long has been at the top of the heap as far online music markets are concerned, there is a good deal of talk going on that Spotify's ease of use and large catalog of songs might be a viable threat to Apple's dominance in the music industry. The main difference between the two is that iTunes is a download service, whereas Spotify is a streaming-only service. You can read more about Spotify by clicking on this link. What are your thoughts on Spotify? Are you already using it? If so, how frequently do you use it? If you don't currently use Spotify, how intrigued are you by the idea of it? Do you think it could become as popular or even more popular than iTunes?

2012 Grammy Nominations

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:40:00 +0000

The Record Academy unveiled their list of nominees for the 2012 Grammy Awards this past Wednesday night. Like most years, this collection of nominated artists features both obvious choices (Adele) and unexpected ones too (Bon Iver). You can see the full list of nominees by clicking on this link. What do you think of the artists who were nominated in the three most popular categories (record of the year, song of the year, and album of the year)? Do any of the picks surprise you? Are there any nominees with which you're particularly pleased or unhappy? Are you a fan of any of the nominated artists? Who deserves to win?

Winter Concerts

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:07:00 +0000

Time flies here in the Briscoe band program. The 7th and 8th grade winter concert is now just two weeks away (12/1), and the 6th grade concert takes place in 3 weeks (12/8)! Each of the bands have been diligently working since early September on a number of pieces. Of everything we are preparing, which piece are you most excited to perform? Which one do you think required the most effort to put together? Which one is still in need of the most work?

BHS/Briscoe Band Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:46:00 +0000

Last weekend, 50 Briscoe Middle School band students participated in our 3rd annual march with the BHS Marching Panther Band. The video above was taken as we marched from Beverly High School to Hurd Stadium for the varsity football game. For those of you who took part in this event, how did you enjoy the experience? What was the most exciting part of your day? The most challenging? How do you think we all sounded playing together in this video?

Halloween Music

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:21:00 +0000

For ages, part of the visceral thrill of celebrating Halloween comes from those pieces of music that literally send chills up and down your spine. While for some, Halloween music might be synonymous with the hackneyed spookiness of "The Monster Mash," or Michael Jackson's infamous "Thriller" music video, there are certainly other songs out there that may not be as obviously frightening but still manage to incite goose bumps. As a child, I couldn't stop listening to Modest Mussorgsky's doomy Night on Bald Mountain, particularly after how I saw how Disney set it to animation in Fantasia. As I grew older though, I found that less outwardly shocking music like "Matchsticks" by British electronica artist Aphex Twin could be infinitely more macabre. Nothing but 5 and a half minutes of echoing drones, the track still startles me in ways that music twice as loud or abrupt rarely does. Is there any song or piece of music that suits you best for the ghostly thrills of Halloween? What about your choice makes it so scary?

Intonation

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:31:00 +0000

One of my favorite websites to visit everyday is called Tone Deaf Comics. Created by music composer/arranger John Bogenschutz, this site features daily comic strips aimed specifically at musicians who have ever played in a school music group. Given that we start all of our rehearsals at Briscoe with our own tuning process, I thought some of you might find the comic printed above entertaining. How important is tuning your instrument when you're playing with a band? How much easier (or harder) is it to tune with an electronic tuner instead of by ear? What are the pros and cons of each tuning method?

Sampling

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:42:00 +0000

The topic of sampling in popular music came up this past week in both music and band class. Sampling occurs when an artist uses a small portion of someone else's song to create a work of their own. Perhaps the most notable example of this technique from the past few years is Jason Derülo's "Whatcha Say," a polished R&B tune that samples the chorus of Imogen Heap's 2005 single, "Hide and Seek." You can listen to both songs in the youtube videos featured above. What do you think of sampling? Is it an innovative technique, or does it show a lack of creativity on the part of the artist using the sample? In the case presented here, which song do you prefer more, and why?

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:49:00 +0000

By this time, everyone has heard the sad news about Apple CEO and founder, Steve Jobs, who died on Wednesday after an 8-year battle with pancreatic cancer. What may not be obvious yet, however, is just how influential his creativity and innovative spirit were on the global community. I'm fairly certain that in the coming weeks, there will be many news articles, TV specials, and other like-minded tributes to how this man helped to shape the tech-driven society in which we all now live. Old enough to remember his popular Mac computers from the 1980s and the debut of the first iPod in 2001, I've been able to see how Jobs lived out the quote that Apple used for a campaign of its products back in 1997: "Here’s to the crazy ones, the rebels, the troublemakers, the ones who see things differently. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” What do you think of the passing of Steve Jobs? Are there any electronic devices you use or perhaps rely on that he had a hand in creating?

It's Football Season!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Yesterday, the Beverly High School Marching Panther Band presented their first performance of the 2011 halftime show. Below is a clip of the opening selection, which features music from Goldfinger and the James Bond Theme. What do you think of the music? What about the visuals? Were you able to spot the James Bond nickname that the band spells out on the field? On November 5, Briscoe Band students will have the opportunity to march to a football game with the BHS band, perform on the field for the pregame selections, sit in and play with the band during the game, and then check out the halftime show from the stands.

Gaga Vs. Adele

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:46:00 +0000

Music critics have been noting as of late that, though this was supposed to Lady Gaga's year, Adele has enjoyed a much steadier presence at the top of the charts. If you look at this list, you'll see that the British diva currently has two hits in the Billboard Top 20, both of which came from an album that was released in 2010 (21). While Lady Gaga does have a single in the Top 10, it's interesting to note that in addition to its placement below Adele, it's also from a much more recent album (Born This Way). In your opinion, which artist is having the bigger year? Which artist matters more? Which one writes/performs better songs?

Remembering 9/11

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:23:00 +0000

It was 10 years ago this week that the United States was stunned by four sudden terrorist attacks. A decade after the horror and destruction of 9/11/01, Americans are still taking the time to reflect on the events of that sad day and how the world has changed since then. Most of us know that there are several movies, books, and news specials that have chronicled the timeline of that unsuspectingly sunny Tuesday morning and the events leading up to it, but some may not be aware that even classical composers have gotten involved. On this historic anniversary, legendary classical composer Steve Reich is preparing to unveil his controversial WTC - 9/11, an album whose centerpiece is a three-part work which fuses together a string quartet (violins, viola, and cello) with sampled bits of emergency and distress calls from the morning of the attacks. You can hear Reich explain how he composed this highly intense work by clicking on this link, and then listen to the entire piece by clicking here. It is approximately 15 minutes long. If your idea of classical music is Mozart or Beethoven, this is bound to shock you.

What do you think of the music? Does it grab your attention? Is it different from how you might expect a classical piece about 9/11 to sound? Do you think WTC - 9/11 is an appropriate and moving way to acknowledge the events of that infamous day?

The 2011 MTV VMA's

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:26:00 +0000

The annual MTV Video Music Awards go down this Sunday night at 9:00pm. Like most previous years' shows, this one promises to be one heavy on spectacle and light on actual awards. Back in the days when MTV showed more videos than reality shows, the VMA's held a place of greater significance. As you can see by reading this recent post on the NPR Music Blog, it seems like the show's importance now lies in its shock value rather than acknowledging any actual achievement in music video production. What do you think? Do we need the MTV VMA's?

Newport Folk Festival 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:41:00 +0000

The annual showcase of the country's best folk music is going down this weekend in Newport, Rhode Island, and yesterday I had the good fortune to attend the first day of this 52 year old festival. The festival organizers do their best to feature a mixture of veteran performers and up and coming acts too. "Folk" doesn't just mean acoustic guitars and camp songs, after all - go to this page and click on any of the acts listed; you're bound to find a sufficient amount of variety in the music of these artists. Below are some videos that I shot of the PS 22 Chorus. This group of elementary school kids hails from Staten Island (the smallest borough of NYC) and has performed at venues including the White House, Radio City Music Hall, and the 2011 Academy Awards. What's your impression of this group? Why do you think they sound as professional as they do? What's your opinion of their song choices? The clips below include: "Kids" by MGMT, "Imagine" by John Lennon, and "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele.

Amy Winehouse Dead At 27

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:38:00 +0000

Joining a long list of famous musicians who passed away at 27, (Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Jim Morrison are but a few), Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London home yesterday. While some had practically predicted a tragic end for the drug and alcohol-addicted singer, others remained focused on her dazzling voice and unforgettable songs. Were you or are you an Amy Winehouse fan? How did you feel when you heard about her death? Do you think she'll develop the same legacy over time as the other musicians in the "27 Club" listed above? You can read more about Winehouse and the reaction to her death here.

The Voice

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:39:00 +0000

NBC's The Voice, which has given the network its highest ratings in years, is being called "The Anti-Idol" by many critics. With a focus that generally avoids the pop swagger of American Idol and instead hones in on the qualities of solid musicianship, the show continues to gain momentum as it nears the conclusion of its first season. You can read a review of the most recent show here. Have you watched The Voice? If so, how do you think it compares to Idol? Are the two shows as different as some have made it out to be?

Briscoe Goes to the Boston Pops

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:24:00 +0000

Last night, 60 Briscoe band, chorus, and string students attended a concert at Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops orchestra. We had a chance to take this charming group photograph at the nearby reflecting pool before the show. For those of you who went, what did you think of the concert? What was the most interesting, surprising, or unusual part of the experience for you? Personally, after years of listening to the Swingle Singers on recordings, it was nice to hear their vocal prowess in a live setting. Their four part harmonies were stellar!

Briscoe's Jazz Combo Program

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Sun, 29 May 2011 12:45:00 +0000

Earlier this year, we had the formation of two jazz combos, comprised of students from the All City Jazz Band. These groups have been practicing on a weekly basis since February. One of them, dubbed "Ostrich Patrol," performed this past week at Briscoe's National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony. The clip featured above is an excerpt from their rendition of "Mr. PC," made famous by tenor sax legend John Coltrane. At what other school events do you think our jazz combos should play? How interested would you be in creating a group like this of your own? Below is a video of Coltrane's quartet performing another song the All City Jazz Band performed this year - "Afro Blue."

Lists

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Wed, 18 May 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Most people enjoy making a list of some sort for the purposes of debate among friends - top 5 holiday movies, top 10 best superhero powers, top 20 songs of all time, top 5 worst movies of 2010, etc. Rolling Stone, one of America's premier music publications, has a whole webpage devoted exclusively to music-related lists that you can view by clicking here. So here's my question to you: What are your top three favorite pieces that you have played in band since you first began lessons on your instrument? Follow up the list with a brief explanation of how you made your selections. My top three are:
1)"October" by Eric Whitacre
2)"An American Elegy" by Frank Ticheli
3)"Folk Song Suite" by Ralph Vaughan Williams

Grease Is The Word!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:24:00 +0000

After many months of preparation, Briscoe's production of Grease goes live this Thursday night at 7pm. If you're a cast, crew, or pit band member, what are you must excited/worried about in regard to the opening of the show? If you are someone attending one of the three performances (Thursday at Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 2pm, with all shows in Briscoe's Goding Auditorium), what are you most excited about hearing/seeing?

Record Store Day 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:24:00 +0000

Now celebrating its 3rd anniversary, Record Store Day is an international celebration of recorded music and the independent stores that sell it. This includes locally owned and operated companies such as Bull Moose Music and Newbury Comics. Record Store Day 2011 is happening this Saturday, April 16th.

RSD was also partially created as a response to a decreased interest in purchasing physical music (CD's, vinyl, etc.) as streaming audio and mp3 downloads have gained popularity over the past 10 years.

Of all the music you own, how much of it was originally purchased on CD (or vinyl)? Of those CD's, how many did you yourself go out and buy at a store? Finally, do you think Record Store Day is at all useful in reminding the public of the value of record stores and what they sell?

Music In Our Schools Month 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Costa) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:40:00 +0000

Briscoe's MIOSM celebration came to a close today with the annual talent show, which was performed in front of the entire student body by 14 auditioned acts. This showcase of Briscoe's student talent was just one of many exciting events that occurred in the music department over the past four weeks, however. Looking back at March, what was your favorite Music In Our Schools Month event, and why? For future MIOSM celebrations, what other events would you like to see added?