Shine On Me | Grade 3
Randall Standridge Music Publications
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PROGRAM NOTES:
"Shine On Me" was a collaborative effort using a melodic idea I had been saving combined with the vision of the Eisenhower Middle School Band. The opening melody represents the feeling you get when deep in conversation with good people, and feeling seen and known. Alternatively, it also represents the physical sensation of warmth when you live in Seattle and the sun finally comes out and shines down on your face after months of rain. The celebration section captures the joy of community and belonging within the band family. The students at EMS shared with me that their community is very diverse. Many different identities and cultures are represented, and everyone is welcome. Everyone has a seat at the table (or-- in the band!). |
A note from Erin:
"Hello and thank you for being here to learn about my music. I am very excited to share this piece with you! Not only is the work super groovy— but it’s also really meaningful to me and embodies two of my biggest values: authenticity and community.
A little background: Most of my professional experience is in education I’ve been a middle school/high school band director since 2009. The commissioning group for this piece is local so I went and spent time with Nicole Finkle and the Eisenhower 8th grade band. I explained that this was their work, it was an opportunity to share what is important to them with the world, and it would have their name on it forever. They told me that being able to be yourself and that it’s ok to be different is a big part of why they love band. Their school community is very diverse and that’s something they wanted to celebrate.
They also wanted it to be funky and the trumpets wanted high notes. I included an open solo section to give students of all instruments an opportunity to learn about jazz and a safe space to try improvising. My favorite thing about jazz is the emphasis on the feeling in the moment. In that spirit— I want you to clap, whistle, cheer, or make any kind of joyful noise anytime you hear something that brings you joy. Also, anytime someone is courageous and shares their voice with us in a solo, we celebrate enthusiastically every time, because we celebrate the person not the product.
When you hear this piece, you should feel warm and bright, like the feeling you get when you are with friends/family who make you feel genuinely seen, known, and loved."
-EKH
"Hello and thank you for being here to learn about my music. I am very excited to share this piece with you! Not only is the work super groovy— but it’s also really meaningful to me and embodies two of my biggest values: authenticity and community.
A little background: Most of my professional experience is in education I’ve been a middle school/high school band director since 2009. The commissioning group for this piece is local so I went and spent time with Nicole Finkle and the Eisenhower 8th grade band. I explained that this was their work, it was an opportunity to share what is important to them with the world, and it would have their name on it forever. They told me that being able to be yourself and that it’s ok to be different is a big part of why they love band. Their school community is very diverse and that’s something they wanted to celebrate.
They also wanted it to be funky and the trumpets wanted high notes. I included an open solo section to give students of all instruments an opportunity to learn about jazz and a safe space to try improvising. My favorite thing about jazz is the emphasis on the feeling in the moment. In that spirit— I want you to clap, whistle, cheer, or make any kind of joyful noise anytime you hear something that brings you joy. Also, anytime someone is courageous and shares their voice with us in a solo, we celebrate enthusiastically every time, because we celebrate the person not the product.
When you hear this piece, you should feel warm and bright, like the feeling you get when you are with friends/family who make you feel genuinely seen, known, and loved."
-EKH
