Review of A+ by Thomas Duffy

We played this piece on our spring concert which was themed "Music of the Weird." This piece can be played by any level ability ensemble and was written to point out that music must be performed at 100% correctness, 97% correct will not suffice.

Dr. Duffy, band director at Yale, includes an entire page at the beginning of the score as well as a chart which helps in aiding how many mistakes each person in the ensemble can make. He begins by explaining that 97% correct in academic subjects such as math, science, english, and social studies is highly desired and is considered an "A+." Yet, if only 97% of music is played correctly, the result of the performance would be a catastrophe and the band director would probably be asked to look for another job! If one takes into consideration notes, rhythms, dynamics, and articulations, there are a total of over 25,000 errors to make in this piece.

It begins with a slow prelude in which the woodwinds play repeated sixteenth notes at random while the brass perform a lyrical melody. At measure 11, a nice little march is presented. The middle of the march includes a unison rhythmic pattern with lots of rests and unexpected dynamic changes. The beginning of the piece until m. 42 is supposed to be played perfectly, with no mistakes. The march section is written again starting in m. 43, but this time, the ensemble is supposed to make as many mistakes as the chart allows them to. The conductor can decide how "correct" the performance should be and then follows that section of the chart to the number of players in the ensemble. That then tells the conductor how many mistakes can be made on the repeat of the march.

We decided to perform at 97% (but you can choose 99% or 98% as well) and we had 90 members in the ensemble. That meant that each performer could make 10 mistakes on the repeat of the march. It sounded TERRIBLE but was by far the students' favorite piece to perform. The rhythmically precise section with the changing dynamics is the best opportunity for mistakes. The students can become very creative with their mistakes causing a tremendous amount of cacophony. This is a great piece for any program and very easy to work up as well. It also helps audience members understand why music cannot be played at 97% correctness.

Robyn Wilkes
Visiting Professor
Instrumental Music Director