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5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 9:19 am
by Tubajug
Hey folks,

This school year I took a job teaching 5th grade band for my "big city" district. It's been a good shift for me and my family in many ways (we're all on the same calendar now!). One thing I really enjoy is having a community of fellow band teachers who do the same job and we collaborate frequently.

Something that they have been working on is a "listening list" for each instrument to share with students. I volunteered to help put the tuba list together. The idea is to have youtube links for students to watch and get good examples of playing. What artists and pieces would you recommend for such a list? We would like a variety in terms of artists, genres, and ensembles. Given that these are for fifth graders (beginners), shorter pieces are probably more appropriate, but I'll take whatever you'd like to offer.

Hit me with your suggestions! Thanks everyone!

Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 10:28 am
by travisd
I've been enjoying seeing the stuff that Mark Placencia has been posting - lots of excerpts, and his vids are clear, straight forward views of actually playing, and hearing the instrument standalone. He's got stuff on both YouTube and Instagram (much of it different).

Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:20 pm
by Sousaswag
I’d encourage they listen to people who are actually alive. Social media, which they likely already have, is a good thing to suggest. Marc Placencia, Andrew Dougherty, and MANY others post a lot of playing stuff.

Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2023 2:59 am
by Tubeast
Depends on what ideas You want to convey, I guess.
- YT is full of all kinds of cool stuff with different objectives.
- Educational content will most likely lack in coolness factor.
The intricacies of a well-played warm-up routine will not be accessible to many who haven´t been practosing music yet.
- Awesome solo performances might seem intimidating to some, inspiring to others and boring to many.
These show what great musicians might be able to pull off, but won´t demonstrate what to expect and strive for in ensemble playing.

I guess it´ll be a good idea to offer a variety of media.
Sam Pilafian "Travelin´Light" will combine several beneficial aspects:
- Solid, fun and nimble accompaniment
- Occasional solo prowess
- relatable tunes.

Videos of dramatic tuba contributions to movie scores kids can relate to. I have no idea if "Jaws" will be part of common knowledge, but Star Wars certainly will.

Bands that make use of the tuba and/or Sousaphone in no particular order:
Max Raabe & Palastorchester
New Orleans Street Bands
Youngblood Brass Band
Mnozil Brass

Maybe less suitable for the mentioned age group, but certainly a source of fun with lots of distraction from the tuba:
Jägermeister Blaskapelle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJNXu0qUFsM
A lot more serious in comparison, arguably not everybody´s type of music, not tuba specific, but insane high quality standard:

Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2023 7:38 am
by bloke
Look towards John Williams.

Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2023 9:47 am
by Tubajug
Thanks for your contributions so far! Yes, we're looking for a variety, solos to show individual tone, technique, etc, as well as ensemble playing. Keep em coming!

Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2023 4:34 pm
by hrender

Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:14 pm
by Grumpikins
When i was a kid, Louis Armstrong plays W.C.Handy and The Dukes of Dixieland were really inspiring. Not exactly tuba specific, but thats where my ear is.

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Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:19 pm
by hrender

Re: 5th Grade Listening List

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:20 am
by Tubajug
Thanks everyone!

Here is the baritone page, for reference:

Baritone Page