R.I.P. Sammy Nestico
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I just read on TromboneChat.com that Sammy Nestico passed away today. Here's a brief summary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_Nestico
And this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW1no8bQXyg&feature=emb_logo
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That is very sad to hear. Our community band did several of his arrangements, as our director knew him personally. We even did one or more that had never been played by anyone else publicly.
Here is The Battle Hymn Of The Republic by our Blawenburg Band.
https://soundcloud.com/bigdub-3/battle-hymof-the-republic -
I spent most of my developing years, and early professional years, playing a lot of music by Art Wigggins and Sammy Nestico. I was raised, tangentially, around the Air Force and was in that service, early in my career. I think both of these guys were in the A.F. at the time.
Nestico was a masterful writer. I thought, after a while, that he got a little redundant, but his control of composing/arranging techniques was outstanding.
Music aside, his arranging book is excellent and shows, not only a masterful understanding of his tools, but a very practical use of them.
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@bigdub said in R.I.P. Sammy Nestico:
Here is The Battle Hymn Of The Republic by our Blawenburg Band.
https://soundcloud.com/bigdub-3/battle-hymof-the-republicSuperlative! Well-deserved applause afterward.
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BTW - played and conducted that version of "Battle Hymn" hundreds of times, if not more. Stock for the trade and a classic.
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@kehaulani said in R.I.P. Sammy Nestico:
BTW - played and conducted that version of "Battle Hymn" hundreds of times, if not more. Stock for the trade and a classic.
And.....there’s no topping that now, is there?
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Yes, and his orchestration had surprising depth.
I remember getting into a (harrumph) "discussion" with a conductor colleague about my use of only one bassoon when it was written for four. My philosophy was that people can't miss something they don't know was there. I don't think I've ever done that piece with all four bsns. yet, it never seemed to make a difference to the listeners. That's masterful writing.
