Alex Pobocik

MUSE 375 - CP Overview

A Southern Hymn Setting arranged by John Edmondson

I chose this piece because it provides ample room for the exploration of key concepts
and techniques for an ensemble of first or second year players. For young ensembles ballads
can be very difficult to perform well as the students may struggle with maintaining tempo,
balancing, and intonation. The simplicity of the melody, scoring, and form, allows for the
students to at all times hear the melody, yet the arranging provides enough variety to keep it
entertaining for performer and audience member alike. The pentatonic melody lends itself to the
introduction of improvisatory activities at a beginner level, and the history of the piece makes it
ideal for inclusion in my unit that focuses on Americana.

136th U.S.A. Field Artillery March by Henry Fillmore, ed. Robert Foster

I chose this piece for my high school wind ensemble in part for my students to explore
the history of the march, march form, and for its suitability for use in a comprehensive
musicianship unit where the students research for themselves and present their findings to their
class. The piece itself is sufficiently challenging for an intermediate to intermediate-advanced
wind ensemble. Fillmores writing is also extremely interesting as a listener, performer, and
conductor. His adroit handling of harmony and the way he varies his melodies combine to
create a meritorious piece of American march history.