Klarinet Archive - Posting 000038.txt from 1994/12

From: Lori <archer.32@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Contemporary music
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 1994 19:21:05 -0500

I realize that Klarinet has been off this subject for a while now, but
since the last week of classes is over, I finally get to read all of these
letters! And I felt like putting my two cents in.
I've noticed the tendency of the public to get all excited about going to
see an orchestra, but not caring about bands. I have some opinions.
First, almost every single person has heard of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart,
etc. These people wrote so much for orchestra. Many people would rather go
to a concert that has music they're familiar with, rather than try something
new. If these composers had written mostly band music, I wouldn't be
surprised if people would pay to hear bands. For example, my dad (who is not
a musician) keeps telling me that he wishes the bands would play more
familiar pieces.
Second, when someone hears the word 'band,' there's a good chance that he
will immediately think of a little junior high band that can't make 'Mary
Had A Little Lamb' sound recognizeable. Think about it - in movies, TV,
etc., do you EVER hear a good band? Yet when they show an orchestra, they
show a good, professional orchestra. I just don't think people are exposed
to enough good bands to realize that there are some good things happening.
Dan had mentioned not being able to sit through a long piece of just winds.
I don't know about anyone else, but I can't sit through a long piece,
whether it's band, orchestra, solo, anything. I personally think some of the
reason for people coming to sit through Beethoven's 9th is more familiarity
than anything else. I also believe that a band uses (not necessarliy has)
more color than an orchestra. Basically because the strings have such
important parts that much of what one hears in orchestra pieces is string.
To me, a cello sounds just like a violin, only lower. In a band, the lower
register will have a different tone than the higher and the middle
registers. I'd rather hear a variety of sounds than a variety of registers.
Well, I guess I've said enough. I don't know how much of this pertains, or
how many will agree with me, but I just had to write! :)

Lori Archer

P.S. Kirby Fong, in response to a passing question in your letter, "Is it
because bands don't have the snob appeal of operas and symphonies?" In my
opinion, yes.
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* "Due to the current financial Lori M. Archer
restraints, the light at the 335 Haverfield House
end of the tunnel will be 112 W. Woodruff
turned off until further Columbus, OH 43210
notice." archer.32@-----.edu
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