Common Threads, by Kimberly Archer
In this chapter of “Band Together,” we welcome you to enjoy our recent live video performance of Common Threads by Kimberly Archer, an educational deep dive into “Common” instrumental audition excerpts, and a unique curriculum for general music study.
A Fresh Voice in Wind Band Repertoire
Commissioned in 2016 by Dr. Carolyn Barber at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln for their performance at the CBDNA North Central Convention that year. Kimberly Archer writes this about her piece:
“What an amazing opportunity to write for a world-class ensemble and master musician-conductor, with all the parameters of the music left up to me beyond the convention's "jazz" theme.
Still, nothing shuts off my creativity spigot faster than the word "commission"! After many false starts, I sat at my piano banging repeatedly on an F and growling, "If I play this F long enough, something has to come out of it!" Eventually, I started to hum a meandering melodic line over the repeated F, which soon captured the goofy humor, carefree spirit, and unabashed joy I've witnessed in both Carolyn and her ensemble. From that foundation emerged a great deal of secondary material, and then the music took on a life of its own.”
-Kimberly Archer
Take a listen!
A Closer Look: Exploring “Common” Excerpts
Taking an audition is one “Common Thread” that all band musicians share. Many of the instrumental excerpts featured below are commonly found on orchestral or military band auditions. Hear our principal performers demonstrate these excerpts and discuss the challenges and pitfalls contained within each one.
Variations on America - Trumpet Audition Excerpt
A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Flute Audition Excerpt
Common Oboe Audition Excerpts
American Salute - Snare Drum Audition Excerpts
Porgy and Bess - Xylophone Audition Excerpts
Common Clarinet Audition Excerpts
Common Saxophone Audition Excerpts
Common Trombone Audition Excerpts
Common Euphonium Audition Excerpts
The Stars and Stripes Forever - Tuba Audition Excerpts
Molly on the Shore - String Bass Audition Excerpts
The Why
Typically, we like to begin with why at "Pershing's Own"—but we also believe there is a time and place to allow the music and history to speak first for themselves. Now that we've given those elements a voice, here are the reasons behind the start of this new series of free educational content developed specifically for you by The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own."
Intent:
- Create high-quality, live videos of The U.S. Army Concert Band performing large-scale wind ensemble works.
- Extract challenging instrumental excerpts from each selection and create educational video content of principal players demonstrating accurate performance practice while sharing valuable discussion points.
- Develop coordinated curricula to engage Elementary and Middle school classrooms with active listening activities and thinking exercises based on the full band video recording.
- Offer multiple iterations of this package concept throughout the year, building a library of resources specific to wind band literature and accessible across multiple age groups.
Purpose:
- Establish an audio-visual legacy of the expertise and quality exhibited by The U.S. Army Concert Band.
- Create a clear guide for achieving what "right" sounds like when preparing audition excerpts.
- Develop supplemental educational resources applicable across all age groups.
- Encourage engagement between general music students and wind ensemble repertoire.
- Provide equal availability of trusted preparatory materials, regardless of access to music education and private instruction.
We intend to do more "Band Together" series projects like this one, so we hope to hear your feedback on how we did with our inaugural run and what you'd like to see included in the next iteration!
