Top 5 Concert Band Pieces

In band class, I enjoy most of the songs we play, but a few really stand out as being really fun or beautiful.

5. Lola Flores by Alfred Sadel- This is by far my favorite march and has an Italian carnival feel that makes it very fun to play and listen to.

4. Vesuvius by Frank Ticheli- Although the event it’s based on is sad, the piece is very driving with a beautiful, sorrowful section in the middle.

3. 3 Wise Guys by Julie Giroux- A jazz mash up of  We Three Kings and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, it’s become one of my favorite christmas songs!

2. Arabesque by Samuel R. Hazo/ Strange Humours by John Mackey- I put these two together because they are very similar; Arabian dances with grand endings.

1. Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre- My personal favorite, It’s a beautiful, emotional song, that I find very inspiring!

Woodworking Gift Ideas

With Mother’s day coming up you might be brainstorming various ideas for sincere and heartfelt presents. Something that has become a tradition in my house, is making gifts. I’ve found that they’re a lot more meaningful then anything you can find in the store and they’re a lot of fun to make! One of the easiest things to make, and one of my first projects, is a cutting board. Technically, you could cut a block of wood and call it a cutting board, but there are many different creative approaches, such as using different colored strips of wood. Napkin holders can also be a nice addition to the kitchen, and if you are a woodturner, you can make matching salt and pepper shakers! There are so many more ideas, spice racks, jewelry boxes, clocks, sculptures, and more. The gifts you can make are only limited by your imagination!