Michael Fleischmann, Ed.D.C.T.
College of the Desert Symphonic Band
The College of the Desert Symphonic Band is a community ensemble that consists of music majors, non-majors, high school students, and members from the surrounding communities of the Coachella Valley in Southern California. The ensemble meets once per week, and performs a varied repertoire.
Collaborative Composition - Discussion
Unedited, approx. 38:00 (Recorded October 13, 2021)
The Fall 2021 term was the COD Symphonic Band's first semester back in person following the COVID 19 shutdown. Due to COVID restrictions, the ensemble was limited to a small number of participants. At the beginning of the semester, the students decided collectively that they would like to create an original piece of music that would be representative of their experiences since the shutdown in March of 2020.
We had dedicated small pockets of time for the students to create and collaborate freely. In this example, we reflected on the original music created up to that point of the process, and discussed a direction for future revisions and ideas. I used Padlet as a collaborative tool, which allowed students to add and comment anonymously in real-time. A copy of the collaborative padlet can be found here
We had dedicated small pockets of time for the students to create and collaborate freely. In this example, we reflected on the original music created up to that point of the process, and discussed a direction for future revisions and ideas. I used Padlet as a collaborative tool, which allowed students to add and comment anonymously in real-time. A copy of the collaborative padlet can be found here
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Traditional Rehearsal
Unedited, approx. 1:00:00 (please skip around to view any candid material)
This is a recording of a rehearsal in February of 2020. The rehearsal goals were to reinforce listening, balance, and ensemble blend. Prior to this recording, the ensemble had two rehearsals on the Bach “Little Fugue” and Omar Thomas’ “Mother of a Revolution.” The ensemble had sight read Jack Stamp’s “Prayers for a Troubled Nation” 4 weeks prior to this recorded rehearsal.
Unedited, approx. 1:00:00 (please skip around to view any candid material)
This is a recording of a rehearsal in February of 2020. The rehearsal goals were to reinforce listening, balance, and ensemble blend. Prior to this recording, the ensemble had two rehearsals on the Bach “Little Fugue” and Omar Thomas’ “Mother of a Revolution.” The ensemble had sight read Jack Stamp’s “Prayers for a Troubled Nation” 4 weeks prior to this recorded rehearsal.
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Full Performance, view of conductor
(Submitted For visual purposes, not intended as a high-quality audio recording)
Approx. 40:00
This is a recording from December 4, 2019 of a full concert presentation, showing the conductor's front.
The camera placement near the bass drum caused some unfortunate distortion in quality at times.
Program:
Joseph Hellmesberger (1955 – 1907), Danse Diabolique, arr. Tohru Takahashi
Michael Markowski (b. 1986), Shine
Pierre LaPlante (b. 1943), American Riversongs
Frank Ticheli (b. 1958), Loch Lomond
Josef Wagner (1956 – 1908), Under the Double Eagle, arr. Timothy Rhea
John Zdechlik (b. 1937), Chorale and Shaker Dance
(Submitted For visual purposes, not intended as a high-quality audio recording)
Approx. 40:00
This is a recording from December 4, 2019 of a full concert presentation, showing the conductor's front.
The camera placement near the bass drum caused some unfortunate distortion in quality at times.
Program:
Joseph Hellmesberger (1955 – 1907), Danse Diabolique, arr. Tohru Takahashi
Michael Markowski (b. 1986), Shine
Pierre LaPlante (b. 1943), American Riversongs
Frank Ticheli (b. 1958), Loch Lomond
Josef Wagner (1956 – 1908), Under the Double Eagle, arr. Timothy Rhea
John Zdechlik (b. 1937), Chorale and Shaker Dance
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Example of a non-traditional rehearsal setting
Unedited, approx. 40:00 (please skip around to view any candid material)
This video was recorded in September of 2019
This video is unedited, and is meant to capture a "candid" rehearsal situation, exposing everything (good and bad).
The piece being rehearsed is "Shine" by Michael Markowski
This ensemble has rehearsed this music twice up to the date of this recording
The ensemble was intentionally set up in a non-traditional manner to encourage ensemble awareness, social interaction, and participation
Unedited, approx. 40:00 (please skip around to view any candid material)
This video was recorded in September of 2019
This video is unedited, and is meant to capture a "candid" rehearsal situation, exposing everything (good and bad).
The piece being rehearsed is "Shine" by Michael Markowski
This ensemble has rehearsed this music twice up to the date of this recording
The ensemble was intentionally set up in a non-traditional manner to encourage ensemble awareness, social interaction, and participation
If The Video Does Not Load Below, Click Here To Access
Traditional Rehearsal
Unedited, approx. 50:00 (please skip around to view any candid material)
This video was recorded in February of 2019
This video is unedited, and is meant to capture a "candid" rehearsal situation, exposing everything (good and bad).
The piece being rehearsed is "Red Rock Mountain" by Rossano Galante
This ensemble has rehearsed this music four times up to the date of this recording
The rehearsal goals addressed in this video were specifically: rhythmic accuracy, dynamic contrast, and ensemble balance
Unedited, approx. 50:00 (please skip around to view any candid material)
This video was recorded in February of 2019
This video is unedited, and is meant to capture a "candid" rehearsal situation, exposing everything (good and bad).
The piece being rehearsed is "Red Rock Mountain" by Rossano Galante
This ensemble has rehearsed this music four times up to the date of this recording
The rehearsal goals addressed in this video were specifically: rhythmic accuracy, dynamic contrast, and ensemble balance
If The Video Does Not Load Below, Click Here To Access
Professional Development Webinars
Webinar: A Post-Covid World: Cultivating Creativity and SEL in Traditional Ensembles
Saturday, October 24, 2020
California Music Educators Association, Southwestern Section Virtual Fall Conference
Download the Handout
California Music Educators Association, Southwestern Section Virtual Fall Conference
Download the Handout
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Webinar: Everything But the Content
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Riverside County Office of Education
Download the Handout
Download the Flyer
Riverside County Office of Education
Download the Handout
Download the Flyer
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Webinar: Google Classroom Level II
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, Professional Development Series
Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, Professional Development Series
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Webinar: Re-Imagining Music Education: Creativity in Ensembles
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Riverside County Office of Education
Download the Handout and Supplemental Materials
Riverside County Office of Education
Download the Handout and Supplemental Materials
