Black Ice by Trinidad Middle School Beginning Band 2024

When the Trinidad, Colorado Middle School Music teacher had to leave unexpectedly for health reasons part way through the third quarter of the 2023-2024 school year, and no substitute teacher was immediately available with a background in instrumental music, what was there to do but improvise? Literally.
The students in the Beginning Band class studied the work of composer Butch Morris and his concept of improvisation called conduction.
Building from one "big idea," like a certain rhythm, or the sound of paper crinkling, students took turns conducting their band, creating music as they listened carefully to each other and followed the hand signals of their conductor.
This album is the result of their excellent work together. The students explored the sometimes surprising sounds they could make on their instruments. They celebrated their creativity in conduction. Eventually, they recorded and named their pieces, named their album, and created cover art.
They hope you enjoy listening to their work, and they encourage you to learn more about Butch Morris.

Trinidad MS 6th and 7th grade Beginning Band, exploring Butch Morris' Conduction method.

Francisco, Aiden, Melodie, Geralynn, Calliope, and Aftan, whose pieces are on this album, were six of the most creative conductors in the group.

The Beginning Band students rose to the occasion, thought “outside the box,” and have every reason to be proud of their creative work together!