The ComposerCraig Skeffington has been the band director at
South Portland High School in Mainesince 1994. His performing
groups have won numerous honors during that time, including
theMaine State Jazz Festival 8 times; the Berklee College of Music
Festival twice, in 1995 andagain in 2001; and MusicFest Orlando
once, in 2001. In 2003, Craig was awarded MusicEducator of the Year
by the Maine Music Educator’s Association. He has been Maine’s
JazzActivities Vice - President as well as it’s Instrumental Jazz
Chair. Craig has also served asPresident of the Maine Band
Director’s Association. This past year, Craig was recognized bythe
national magazine School Band and Orchestra as one of the “50 band
directors thatmake a difference” of 2007.
As a New England area trumpet player, Craig has a wide variety
of performance credits. These include working with Natalie Cole,
Barry Manilow, Colin Raye, the Glenn Miller Big Band, the New York
Voices and touring with the Artie Shaw Orchestra. As a member of
the New Hampshire based Seacoast Big Band, Craig has performed with
artists such as Bobby Shew, Louis Bellson, Bob Mintzer, Frank
Foster, Clark Terry and Bob Florence.
As a composer and arranger, Craig has studied with Bob Florence,
Toshiko Akioshi and Don Stratton. His pieces appear in the most
recent JW Pepper catalog and NYSSMA manual, as well as having been
reviewed in the International Association of Jazz Educator’s
Journal. In December of 2007, his music was programed at the
prestigious Mid - West Band and Orchestra clinic in Chicago. His
music is published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company in San Diego,
Ca.; by Alfred/Belwin Music (formerly Warner Brothers); and by
Manduca Music in Portland, ME. Groups ranging from middle school
jazz bands to college and military bands have performed his music.
Craig is currently an adjunct staff member at the University of
Southern Maine where he teaches applied jazz arranging. Craig
currently resides in South Portland with his wife Carrie and their
two daughters, Hannah and Molly.
The CompositionThe Molly March is a Second Line piece that I
wrote for my daughter Molly back in 2006. Mostly this request came
from Molly herself in response to her big sister having a tune
named for her (“The Hannah Shuffle”) back in 2000! I wanted to do
somethingdifferent with this composition, not just “another” swing
piece. I really like the groove of the Second Line feel, and the
harmony is influenced by the great pop musician Sting, whose music
I love.
The term Second Line refers to the traditional New Orleans
funeral procession. The music played as the procession moved from
the church to the cemetery was slow and mournful. Following the
service, the procession leading back to the church was accompanied
by more rousing music. Passersby and others who were not a part of
the funeral often joined this part of the procession, forming a
“second line” behind the original mourners.
In preparing the piece, work for a light feel in the rhythm
section, especially with the Drummer. The Second Line groove is
generated primarily by the snare, be careful on the volume. On the
bridge at measure 25, the groove changes up slightly - almost to a
Hip Hop feel, returning to the Second Line at measure 41. Keep the
band volume under the muted Trumpets just prior to the solo
section. On the Sax soli at measure 111, encourage the Lead Alto to
dig in and be aggressive with tons of support from the whole
section. As the piece builds towards the final shout at measures
143 and 151, work for band balance at the high dynamic level and
have the drums really go after kicking the band’s figures. As the
chart winds down, have the Saxes stagger breathe to keep the chord
sounding until the final resolution. I hope that you find this
piece as interesting as Molly does, and that your group enjoys
putting it together. Best of luck! Craig
Instrumentation List
Craig Skeffington has been the band director at South Portland
High School in Maine since 1994. His performing groups
have won numerous honors during that time, including the Maine
State Jazz Festival 8 times; the Berklee College of Music
Festival twice, in 1995 and again in 2001; and MusicFest Orlando
once, in 2001. In 2003, Craig was awarded Music
Educator of the Year by the Maine Music Educator’s Association. He
has been Maine’s Jazz Activities Vice - President as well as it’s
Instrumental Jazz Chair. Craig has also served as President of the
Maine Band Director’s Association. This past year, Craig was
recognized by the national magazine School Band and Orchestra as
one of the “50 band band directors that make a difference” of
2007.
As a New England area trumpet player, Craig has a wide variety
of performance credits. These include working with Natalie
Cole, Barry Manilow, Colin Raye, the Glenn Miller Big Band. the New
York Voices and touring with the Artie Shaw Orchestra. As a
member of the New Hampshire based Seacoast Big Band, Craig has
performed with artists such as Bobby Shew, Louis Bellson, Bob
Mintzer, Frank Foster, Clark Terry and Bob Florence.
As a composer and arranger, Craig has studied with Bob Florence,
Toshiko Akioshi and Don Stratton. His pieces appear in the most
recent JW Pepper catalog and NYSSMA manual, as well as having been
reviewed in the International Association of Jazz Educator’s
Journal. In December of 2007, his music was programed
at the prestigious Mid - West Band and Orchestra clinic in Chicago.
His music is published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company in San
Diego, Ca.; by Alfred/Belwin Music (formerly Warner Brothers); and
by Manduca Music in Portland, Me. Groups ranging from middle
school jazz bands to college and military bands have performed his
music. Craig is currently an adjunct staff member at
the University of Southern Maine where he teaches applied jazz
arranging. Craig currently resides in South Portland with his wife
Carrie and their two daughters, Hannah and Molly.
1 – Alto Sax 11 – Alto Sax 21 – Tenor Sax 11 – Tenor Sax 21 –
Baritone Sax
1 – Trumpet 11 – Trumpet 21 – Trumpet 31 – Trumpet 4
1 – Trombone 11 – Trombone 21 – Trombone 31 – Trombone 4
1 – Guitar1 – Piano1 – Bass1 – Drums
ZB418
2
SAMP
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