MarchingLinks.com

~~~~~~  Marching Library  ~~~~~~

Library Index

Preparing for the Graduation Ceremony
by
Sharon Fehlinger

Now that May has arrived, the next thing on the high school band director's agenda is Graduation.  Basically, most directors have one month to prepare for this performance. There is a myriad of things to consider when preparing for Graduation.  For instance, what music will be performed? Will the director have the graduating seniors perform?  Will the new students recruited for next year's band play along?  Will a special group or performance number be included?   Where to purchase the music once it has been chosen?  These are just a few questions to consider when preparing for the ceremony. In this article you will get some useful information to help you decide which way to go for your school and ceremony.

What is the Vision?
First, it is important to know what your school's philosophy on Graduation is.  Most schools look at the ceremony as a dignified culmination of the senior class's education from Kindergarten to the present. There are other schools however, that don't look at it as a dignified ceremony, but as a celebration of the educational process.  I believe it is important to know the difference in your school's philosophy so that you can choose music appropriately. In addition, if you are a new band director, it is important to know the "vision" of the administrators in your school or district and to share that "vision".  Being on the same page with administration is imperative for this ceremony or celebration to run smoothly. 

Part of the "vision" should be knowledge about the length of the ceremony.  It is important to know if the ceremony is meant to be a short and direct approach (usually done for larger schools with many graduates) or if it is meant to have several speeches, a performance from the band, chorus or special group (often more common for smaller schools).  Being a team player and making contact with your administration is important on this occasion - after all, it is the final thing you can do for your seniors as a teacher.

Who Participates?
Once you know your school's philosophy and share the "vision" of your administration, your next important decision is, "Will the seniors play for the final time with the band or will they process/recess with the other seniors?"   My first suggestion is to find out what is traditional in that particular school.  If the students have "always" played, it is safe to say they will expect to play and this is a time you as a director may not want to rock the boat with a change.  If it varies from year to year, then you should use the following to help you decide what to do this year. 

First, have the students for the following year been recruited already?   If they have, this is a great resource and a good way to get these students involved early in the program for the upcoming year.  If those students have not been recruited, you have the option of doing an immediate recruitment drive or not including these students at all.  My personal suggestion is to include the recruits if you can.  This is a great way to introduce them to the high school band and to have them take it for a "test drive".   Let's be honest, most band directors are laid back during this time of year. It is a great way to welcome new members and the timing is perfect since the stress level is at a minimum. 

The next thing to think about is the size of your current band.  Will you have enough players without the seniors playing along?  What about instrumentation?  If you have decided to include the recruited members, will that adjust or balance the band?   If you have enough players without the seniors, I suggest you let the current band along with the new recruits take care of the performing.  This is a wonderful way for the director to show the "new band" what to look forward to for the following year.  Most of the recruits will be in awe at the sound and I have found that students who perform at graduation are more likely to maintain membership in the band for the following year. 

What Music Will be Played?
You are on a roll now.... You have your school philosophy, a shared "vision", and you have decided to either include the seniors or not -giving you your instrumentation and size of the band.  The next step is to choose music appropriate for the occasion and "vision".   Some important things to think about when choosing music: 

1.  Are the seniors marching in a processional? Does the "vision" of the ceremony call for that? 
2. Will there be a marching recessional? 
3.  Will any special groups be performing?  (For instance, a senior quartet? or a choral group with instrumental accompaniment?)
4.  Does your administration want you to include the alma mater and national anthem?  (This is, in most cases, a standard practice - however to be safe you should check if you are a new band director) 

Remember that the choice of music needs to reflect the "vision".  For instance, my current teaching situation has a school and district "vision" that the ceremony should be dignified yet concise.  With this in mind, we use Fanfare and Processional (Pomp and Circumstance) by Edward Elgar, arranged by James D. Ployhar.  What I like in particular about this arrangement is that the Recessional is included in this purchase.  You receive the Processional and the Recessional (Fanfare and Recessional, by Ployhar) all in one package.  You are essentially receiving two distinct marches for one price and the marches both have a brief fanfare foregoing the actual march itself. 

Additionally, our school uses the National Anthem after the Pledge of Allegiance is recited.  Again, you have many various versions to choose from.  We use The Star Spangled Banner arranged by Bill Moffit.  It too consists of an optional fanfare to precede the anthem.  I however, forgo this fanfare and dive right into this simplistic yet very appropriate version of the National Anthem. 

Our school also uses our Alma Mater in the program. The band performs while the chorus and the audience sings the words which are typed in the program.   The above songs I mentioned are what are used for my school's vision.  It is important to note that this literature may not be to your liking or to your school's taste.  There are several versions of Pomp and Circumstance. I suggest you check out a few before deciding. There are also several other marches appropriate for processionals.  Here is a list to check out:

Commencement Classics arr. by Douglas Court
Crown Imperial March by William Walton (2 good arrangements are by Jay Bocook and Duthoit)
Entry March (from Swan Lake) by P. I. Tchaikovsky arranged by Bellis
Colonial March by John Kinyon
Sine Nomine by Vaughan WIlliams arranged by Cacavas
Trumpet Voluntary (The Prince of Denmark's March) by Jeremiah Clarke arranged by Curnow
Procession arranged by Ployhar
Paths Of Glory by Carl Strommen
Proud Heritage by William Latham

These are just some marches that might work for you for either the processional or the recessional.  I suggest checking them out. 

Additional Considerations
And then of course we have to consider additional songs.  In my particular school, our chorus always performs a song. Since this article is concentrating on band literature and concerns, I will only briefly make mention of this in case there are a few of you band directors out there who happen to be a " Jack of all trades" and direct the chorus as well as the band.  Typically the chorus is there to lead the audience in the National Anthem and the Alma Mater if one is used. A farewell song is sometimes chosen for the group to sing.  The director may choose for the entire chorus to sing, or select students, or a select ensemble may sing and select instrumentalists may accompany the singers or chorus.  Again, you may decide to showcase your seniors one last time if that is deemed appropriate.   I do caution you however here.  If you do chose to use seniors be careful when selecting your song if lyrics will be sung.  This is an emotional time for most students.  It is really the first step to adulthood and it is their final farewell to school and childhood. With this being said, lyrics can often overcome students at this emotional transition in their life.   Lyrics should be meaningful but not be so meaningful that they cause the performer to cry or suffer a loss of composure. Typically if a small performing group is used, the director needs to purchase choral music and arrange music for the instrumentalists from the piano score.  The following are some songs to consider if you are going to do a special selection: 

You'll Always Be A Part Of Me by McPheeters
I'll Remember You Through The Years by Donnelly arranged by Strid
Within These Walls by Schram
Maybe Someday by McPheeters
Walk On by Stommen
Say It With A Song by Besig and Price
Stronger With Time by Strommen, just to name a few to check out.

Where Do I Find the Music?
Most veteran directors have their favorite music catalogues or suppliers.  Some of the newer directors might not be so sure where to turn. In case you need a suggestion on where or how to purchase music, I would like to tell you about one of my favorite music suppliers: JW Pepper.  If you are Internet savvy, you can reach them at this link... www.jwpepper.com.    If you are not yet Internet literate - no need to sweat it.  The company has over 12 locations across the United States to process your order in a fast efficient manner. (Locations include Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Detroit, MI; Winston- Salem, NC; Bismarck, ND; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Indianapolis, IN; Salt Lake City, UT; Tacoma, WA; Philadelphia/ Valley Forge, PA) 

To reach them by toll free phone - dial 1-800-345-6296.  To fax them an order use 1-800-260-1482.  What is so wonderful about this company is that they are extremely speedy with delivery.  If you place an order by 3pm and it is in stock, they deliver and mail it out to you THAT SAME DAY.  If it is not in stock in the store nearest you, they immediately check one of the other locations and can ship from that location if need be.   Also, my particular favorite benefit is the approval service they offer.  They allow you to preview music for free.  For instance, say you are interested in 6 of the processionals I previously mentioned in this article but you are not sure which is best suited for your school, J.W. Pepper allows you to call up and order those titles on approval status.  They deliver all 6 tunes.  You choose the ones you want and the ones you decide you do not want - you ship back to the company and pay for only the ones you keep.  This is a service that I use a great deal throughout the year.  I think all directors should take advantage of this dependable company.   Of course there is the web page which makes ordering and perusal of music titles easy. They will also deliver catalogues to you if you request.  This company also carries books and recordings as well.  I highly recommend them when you are selecting your music. 

On Your Way!
At this point you should be well on your way to choosing your graduation selections.  The biggest thing to remember is to try to keep with the vision of the school as well as with tradition if one has been set.  This should be the culmination of your year for you as a director but for the seniors it is the culmination of their childhood and kindergarten through senior year memories.  Be thoughtful in your choice, as it will be a ceremony that will last in the minds of your graduating seniors for years to come.

Sharon R. Fehlinger,CMT is a music educator and music therapist who currently teaches in a suburban Philadelphia public school district in Pennsylvania. Sharon has been an elementary instrumental music band director, a high school band director and a musical therapist with both adolescents and geriatric patients.  She has done extensive course work at the following colleges and universities: West Chester University, Immaculata College, Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts, Villanova University, Widener University, and St. Joseph's University.  She has performed in several countries in Europe.  Her future plans are to support music in education and  make the "arts" accessible to all children regardless of financial capacity. 

How to Suggest a Site -  Copyright Policy - Terms of Service -  Advertise with Us
Copyright © 2005 MarchingLinks.com All rights reserved. 
 Privacy Policy