Wind Ensemble Review Frequently a band director needs assistance in preparing a wind ensemble or concert band for contests. Ideally, the band director would like to be able to focus on the sound of the complete band and delegate the preparation of the flute, saxophone, and clarinet sections to others. There are multiple benefits to this approach. One benefit  is having someone entirely new listen to the sound of the various instrument sections and critique them. Another benefit is that the resulting sound of the band is generally better and the band will receive higher scores in the contests.

 

Input is supplied by the band director as to what he or she is looking for in the playing of the contest piece and where the trouble areas are. The sections then play the contest pieces and they are critiqued in terms of band director input, problem areas, tone, dynamics, phrasing, mix levels, etc by the contract section helper. The sections then practices the material with the critiques in mind with the contract helper. Generally it takes about two 1.5 hour sessions preferably placed about a week apart to add finishing touches to a good band.

 

 Jazz Band Ensemble It is sometimes very difficult to schedule electives such as jazz band ensemble after school where they are forced to compete with all the other elective programs. Sometimes a solution is to hold them earlier in the morning. Having a contract person assist in this effort frees a band director for other important activities. Once the contract person has prepared the band the director can step back in for the key performances at the schools.

The schools existing jazz ensemble scores are used for the jazz band work. Scores are collected after each practice and returned to the school music library. A concerted effort to have many students as possible do improvised solos as part of the overall jazz band performance. The contract helper works with the band director to suggest new scores and also to help schedule performances for the jazz band.

 

Reasons to hire Mr. Billington – I have already been checked out by the Wake County school system. Personal references from my already completed work at  Cary and Raleigh area high schools are available upon request. I have been running a private music business for years and am very well versed in motivating students and am a proven quantity in this regard. In the private sector you must get along with your students and parents and if you don’t, they will quit – I have an extremely low attrition rate under these conditions. I have also successfully raised two children and am very familiar with the challenges of adolescence.

 

Availability   Monday through Friday from approximately 6:50AM until 2 PM.

                                                                                                                            

Funding

The band director usually works with the bands booster club to schedule regular payments to the contract worker based on mutual agreement.