Product Review- “flowStick” and “flowDisk” Part 2

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A full week has passed since I began evaluating this product and I have posted my findings below. Advertised claims- True …..“Tool for Brass Instruments- Trumpet, trombone, cornet, French horn airflow and sound True …..airflow training with music and the instrument- The flowStick makes it possible! True …..an airflow you can hear and feel Possible…..The bore of the flowStick is a sophisticated system with blowing edges inside for optimal feedback on the air intensity. True …..flexible for everybody True …..The air consumption with the flowStick can be adjusted individually by turning the screw”.  True …..The air resistance or air consumption can…

Product Review- “flowStick” and “flowDisk” for Trumpet

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When I first came across this product, I was eager to find out what this item was promoting. After a couple Emails, my questions were to be answered; shortly after its (their) arrival. The following Claims has been recently posted on their Web site. 1.“Tool for Brass Instruments- Trumpet, trombone, cornet, french horn airflow and sound 2.Airflow training with music and the instrument- The flowStick makes it possible! 3.An airflow you can hear and feel 4.The bore of the flowStick is a sophisticated system with blowing edges inside for optimal feedback on the air intensity. 5.Flexible for everybody 6.The air consumption…

75th Anniversary of Jazz at University of North Texas- And We Were There

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Being with my kids at jazz festivals is nothing new for the Chidester family. All three of our children have been involved with jazz their whole lives. Each has competed in high school as well as college and most of my life has been spent directing ensembles on stage and in contests as well. Some programs are more remembered than others as the photo above illustrates. Not only was our oldest son Scott, performing on the same stage as his old man but was representing the rhythm section on drums with a different band than I was in. As you…

Another Great American Shoot Out- Vocal Ensemble vs. Trumpet Choir and Bass

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This was a very challenging project for most of the charm in the vocal score hinges on the text rather than the rhythms and pitches. I do feel that we were able to come close to the original even facing this obvious advantage for the singers.   Now check it out as a vocal number at…..

Just How Observant Are You?

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Let me give you a little test to see how observant you really are. DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO! DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO! DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO! DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO! At what point in the video did you realize something was wrong.. 1. When he played his first note (:20)- give yourself 10 points 2. When he switched horns (:50)- give yourself 9 points 3. When he used the wrong fingering on the trumpet on his right (1:09)- give yourself…

Nebraska Trumpet Ensemble Goes to School

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I would like to thank our friends in the Nebraska Trumpet Ensemble for including two of my arrangements in their past concert. From a composer/arranger’s standpoint, nothing can be more rewarding than to have such a talented ensemble perform one’s piece with such high level of musicianship. I would especially like to thank Mr. Dean Haist for his outstanding work with schools around the state and elsewhere. His high level of presentations should be the standard for all of us as we continue to promote instrumental music in our school systems. Bravo to the Nebraska Trumpet Ensemble for an outstanding…

Moses and the Ten Commandments- Brass Sextet

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The Ten Commandments is a 1956 American epic religious drama film produced, directed, and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille, shot in VistaVision (color by Technicolor), and released by Paramount Pictures. Based on the 1949 novel Prince of Egypt by Dorothy Clarke Wilson, the 1859 novel Pillar of Fire by J. H. Ingraham, the 1937 novel On Eagle’s Wings by A. E. Southon, and the Book of Exodus, The Ten Commandments dramatizes the biblical story of the life of Moses, an adopted Egyptian prince who becomes the deliverer of his real brethren, the enslaved Hebrews, and thereafter leads the Exodus to…