Muhamad Yusri

RPWS was honoured to have Dr. Paula Holcomb as our tutor for the SIBF Band Masterclass on 30 Jul 2016 at The Republic Polytechnic Cultural Centre (TRCC). Dr Holcomb has years of music education and conducting experience and from the moment she stepped in, we could all feel her presence! She was bubbly and energized! From my perspective, she is a joy to watch on the podium and a joy to talk to off the podium. She is currently the Director of Bands at State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia, USA. You can read her full biography here: http://home.fredonia.edu/music/faculty-bio-holcomb

What did we learn from Dr. Holcomb on the day?

1. Make our scores bigger! Some scores are just too small.
2. Try to use more air when we tongue so that the notes do not come across as too harsh.
3. Think of how the passages link (passing the baton during a race analogy)
4. Fast and lighter playing (Horse gallop idea)
5. Pay attention to balance and texture in the score.
6. Members should be able to listen across the band and not just to their immediate neighbours. They need to understand how their parts connect and link.
7. Showing the musical line and wait for that crescendo (low range instruments should start the crescendo)
8. Listen out for color texture.
9. I need to be aware of volume during transitions and for chords.
10. Be aware that lower notes usually cannot be heard and therefore needs to come out more.
11. Bring out the 2nd and 4th beats more. We usually focus only on 1st and 3rd beats in a bar.
12. Create surprises when there are changes in styles. This will create more interest in the score.

Thank you Dr. Holcomb for visiting us and sharing your expertise and your music. We miss you and HOPE to visit the Niagara Falls soon! 🙂