365 Days #28 - The Fairfax High School Marimba Band (mp3s)
MP3:
1 Besame Mucho (2:52)
2 Bye Bye Blues (1:59)
3 Comedians' Gallop (1:29)
4 12th Street Rag (1:49)
5 Popcorn (2:18)
6 El Cumbanchero (3:04)
I picked this record up while living in Berkeley California in the late 1980s. Found it at Rasputin's records where I would normally find all sorts of selections in the 25 cent section. The majority of school band records out there feature your standard classical, jazz, traditional and religious offerings. This record however, this record.
Popcorn is the standout track, but I have included a couple of other cuts from this album, which I consider to be both brilliant in the arrangements and the skillful playing. This is not weird or strange music. It may sound standard run of the mill to some of you but being both a fan of the marimba (although I can't play to save my life) and the arrangements held within this record, well... it's a keeper.
- Contributed by: Otis Fodder
Images: Front Cover, Back Cover
Media: 12" LP
Album: The Marimba Band Of Fairfax High School Volume IV
Label: Mark
Catalog: MC 8455
Credits: Matt Hynes (Director), Tim Carney (Guitar, Banjo), Jerry Parrott (Banjo), Mark Caldine (Drums), Rick Meyer (Banjo, Guitar), Laura Elliott (Flute), Mary Naeher, June Martin, Caroline Smith, Alan Foster (Marimba)
Date: Early 1970s
Herb Alpert and Phil Spector were both alumni of Fairfax High. Wonder if any of these kids went on to fame?
Posted by: rocketboy | January 28, 2007 at 02:22 AM
I'd say Besame Mucho is the stand-out, myself. Very Morricone-ish.
Posted by: JimH | January 28, 2007 at 07:37 AM
Gotta love that version of Popcorn!
Posted by: Ron D | January 28, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Wow. That version of Popcorn is sure something. Thanks for posting it!
Posted by: AdamH | January 28, 2007 at 08:31 PM
"Herb Alpert and Phil Spector were both alumni of Fairfax High"
as well as future Red Hot Chili Peppers. If this was recorded in the '70s, they actually might be on here.
Posted by: MrFab | January 29, 2007 at 01:00 PM
I'm thinking that this is Fairfax HS in northern Virginia, not the one in LA that Spector, Alpert, and the Chilis attended. The back cover says it was recorded by a company in Arlington, VA.
Posted by: Matt | January 29, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Definitely Fairfax High School in Fairfax County, Virginia since my family (from Vienna, town a few miles over) has picked up quite a few of their marimba band records at local thrift stores.
Posted by: M | January 29, 2007 at 03:44 PM
I've got this same cover on a Walt Whitman Jr. High School Orchestra album. It must be stock art that could be customized. I wonder how many albums used it?
Posted by: Hear It Wow | February 07, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Leagues better than expected. Love it! Thanks!
Posted by: Katya Oddio | February 22, 2007 at 05:02 PM
======================================================
:: several versions of Popcorn to stream or download
:: site dedicated to song
======================================================
Posted by: Katya Oddio | February 22, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Yeah folks, this is definitely Fairfax High, Virginia (suburb of Washington DC. I graduated from there in 1973, most of the players on this recording in 74.
Posted by: | July 10, 2007 at 06:07 PM
Definitely Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Va. and as far as I know none of the musicians listed (yes, that's me on guitar and banjo) have become famous. How bizarre to see this on the web 30 some years later.
I don't think I even have a copy of this...
Posted by: Rick Meyer | July 11, 2007 at 10:26 AM
I can't beleive that record has some interest after all these years. Maybe someone ought to transfer it to CD. Also, it seems like a FHS Marimba Band reunion is in order. I have dreamed of such an event for thirty five years. Maybe I should just arrange it myself.
Just doesn't seem like 35 years.
Posted by: mark caldine | July 12, 2007 at 05:43 AM
No. I'm not famous yet but have a long way to go and plenty of time. Where is Mary Naeher?
Posted by: mark caldine | July 12, 2007 at 03:16 PM
I played with Mark Caldine recently. Phenomenal!
Posted by: Clint | July 20, 2007 at 01:18 AM
Mike Terpak, an old friend from the FHS band just sent me this link. It's kind of surreal to see this album and hear the music after all of these years. Being in the band was a blast and I had forgotten how good we were! Mark, nice to see that you remember me--I'm still in NoVa but put my mallets away a long time ago! Let me know if you decide to organize a reunion.
Posted by: Mary Naeher Wade | August 12, 2007 at 08:05 PM
This group was such a big deal at the FHS. Matt Hynes took this group to music educator association conventions as I recall. He also would take this group on recruiting trips at the junior highs. The sound they got on popcorn was done by leaving the mallets on the keys after after playing the notes. Rick, Mark, and Mary- so cool to read your comments. You can get my email off the FHS Alumni data base for 1976.
Posted by: Marty Nelson | December 21, 2007 at 05:33 PM
Besame Mucho is a great song of all times :))
http://www.alpha-school.com
Posted by: School teacher | February 19, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Ye, I'm still alive but not doing any more arranging since I left Fairfax H.S (Va.) back in 1981.
It's not hard to take students like these to great heights when they have talent and a willingness to succeed. May God bless them all.
Posted by: Matt Hynes | September 18, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Hey, I was in the Marimba Band from 65-68 and they were some of the best years in my musical life. Ten years later I visited Chiapas, Mexico for the first time, went over into Guatemala, and it all acame together. The birthplace of the marimba. Matt, thank you. I ended up building a home in the place where Perfidia was composed. dave.pentecost (at) gmail dot com And for the first few commenters - that was Fairfax, California. We were in Fairfax, Virginia. But we dug Alpert back then!
Posted by: Dave Pentecost | January 27, 2009 at 11:26 PM
This is my second sign in just so I can hear from all my "old" students. Would love to hear from you!! E-mail please!orfhynes@bellsouth.net.
I'll tell you who I have kept in touch with... Matt Hynes
Posted by: Matt Hynes | February 21, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Great to see all these postings from former members of the marimba band - I still have my marimba, and will bring it to the reunion!! Just name the time and place! Given a little time, we might be able to recreate the sheet music too - let me know!
Posted by: Virginia Charnley Manzione | March 04, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Anyone interested in a reunion? I have been thinking about that idea for as long as I can remember and we ought to make it happen. Mary Naeher! Remember you? Are you kidding? I had a crush on you for 4 years. I was afraid of rejection though so I never let anyone know. I was really disappointed when you skipped percussion ensemble and went to the reserve band.The group sounded great with you on lead marimba! Pick your mallets back up and get with the program! I still play a lot and teach on Sundays(after Church) Jack Spitz and I Jam once in a while. He plays vibes and piano as well as drums.Some of my fondest memories are being in that band and the folks I came to know as a result. Matt Hynes. God bless you and look for an E-mail from me. m0686@netzero.net
Posted by: mark caldine | May 24, 2009 at 12:17 AM