Mr. Moore's Website: Intermediate Band

Great Music

Blitzen Trapper: Furr
By far one of the best records released in 2008. This record by Portland's experimental folk group "Blitzen Trapper" is among the greatest I've heard in a while. All songs are crafted with the utmost care and with a visionary creativity. Check this band out for sure!
Placebo: Battle For The Sun
An incredible new album from one of Britain's greatest bands. A unique and powerful voice leads this power-trio's unique sound.
M. Ward: Hold Time
M. Ward's latest offering serves up a new batch of amazing material. A modern-day troubadour, Ward writes introspective and poignant music reflective of the society we live in.
Gandharvas: A Soap Bubble And Inertia
This debut record from one of London's best bands ever is an incredible piece of creative genius. Inspired songs reminiscent of Blind Melon crossed with Jane's Addiction in their indie prime.
Buddy Guy: Sweet Tea
A great record from a great artist. This is a good place to start if you're into Buddy's sound. Considered by many to be Buddy's best work.
Asian Dub Foundation: Rafi's Revenge
This classic record by English dub band Asian Dub Foundation is one for the collection, if you can find it. This record is innovative, different and very interesting. Check it out!
Alice in Chains: Black Gives Way To Blue
Alice in Chains, a band that is a necessary mention in terms of 90s musical canon, returns with a new album. Layne Staley's signature vocal is replaced by William DuVall, a voice that is respectful of the past of the band but also interested in carving a new future for them. This new record released September 29th is definitely worth a look.

Noteworthy Reads

Glenn White: The Audio Dictionary
Many terms and definitions native only to the audio field can be found in this book. Great reference for beginners to pros.
Huber & Runstein: Modern Recording Techniques
A great and updated resource for students of digital recording. This book encapsulates many important issues and introduces some advanced ones. A must for the serious student.

Last week, I announced that we will be taking a break from rehearsals this upcoming week of January 21st, both in preparation for your exams and also because of the various emotional situations that have faced our school community lately. I feel that you all deserve this break and have worked hard to receive it.

However, I'd like to remind all music students in all ensembles that our festival competition takes place in London on March 4th and 5th. This is always a very important time for our department and our bands, as this yearly event is what we work towards all year.

This year, we've chosen some very challenging repertoire in all groups, and I want to stress the importance of consistent personal practice when it comes to your individual parts. Although you are getting a break from rehearsals this week, commit to taking your instrument home for practice this week and during exams.

It is necessary for ALL of us to be in proper form musically going forward with rehearsals in second semester, and proper attention to our parts is necessary for our success in March. I feel that our bands are a team effort, and we cannot be successful without the proper amount of dedication to personal practice and attendance at morning rehearsals from all our members.

The names of the pieces we will be playing at festival this year are listed below. Please see me if you are in need of photocopied parts for your personal use.

Have a great break, good luck on your exams, take care of each other and I look forward to seeing everyone back at rehearsals (attending regularly!) in semester two.

Mr. Moore

Senior Band
Clash of the Ironclads
Shenandoah
Rolling Thunder

Wind Ensemble
Inversia
Cause and Celebration
March from Second Suite in F

Intermediate Band
Panther in the Sky
Fairest of the Fair
Donkey Riding

Percussion Ensemble
Xylatin (see me for parts)
Bonham
Ceremonium

Black Jazz
Beefstake Charlies
Edward H
Peaches and T

Great Movies

Michael Clayton (Widescreen)
Michael Clayton is an intense legal drama that defies a number of conventions of the genre. A pleasant breath of fresh air in terms of Hollywood "drama", this film proves that all you need is a good story, told well, to make a great movie.
Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy (Widescreen, 3 Discs)
A guilty pleasure, the Back to the Future trilogy is a standout work in the nostalgic minds of many. That said, there are some interesting cinematic techniques used to combine footage of the original with the sequels and some intelligent storytelling. Highly recommended.
Memento (Widescreen Limited Edition) [2 Discs]
The story of a man with short-term memory loss framed in a groundbreaking narrative shell. Director Chris Nolan tells this story in reverse, beginning with the end and working sequentially backwards towards the beginning of the situation. The direction forces viewers to question what a beginning and an end are, and allows us to feel as our main character does, never knowing what happened just before what is happening in the here and now. Brilliant.
Good Night, and Good Luck
"Without force-feeding its timely message, Good Night, and Good Luck illuminates history to enlighten our present, when the need for a free and independent press is more important than ever"