Klarinet Archive - Posting 000868.txt from 1997/04

From: Cathy Davis <cdavis@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: marching bands
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 21:53:39 -0400

At 01:50 PM 4/28/97 -0400, you wrote:
>In a message dated 97-04-27 22:39:40 EDT, goeke@-----.edu
>(Eliabeth R. Goeke) writes:
>
>>
>>> My question is, why on earth would any band need 20 pics?!!!
>>because flute players love to make lots of noise and know that they are
>>100 times more audible on pics!
>> elizabeth
>
>Yes, and that's precisely why the more sensitive musicians from my school
>days used to refer to the marching band as the "arson squad" -- it was a
>potentially lethal combination of regimented cacaphony. Now barring the usual
>academic requirements for suffering through such an experience, why would any
>self-respecting clarinetist want to perform in a marching band? I'm
>constantly getting students who have just finished their season of "pomp and
>circumcision", who arrive with numerous playing detriments that need to be
>corrected before they can successfully venture forth into the regular concert
>season. Besides extreme pitch desensitization, the most annoying difficulty
>seems to be a penchant for clamping down with their top teeth on the
>mouthpiece. This not only inhibits the vibrational capacity of the reed, but
>places unneeded tension in the throat. At any rate, you've probably gathered
>that I'm not a strong advocate of the "marching band." In school music
>programs, especially grades 7-12, I believe that the marching band tends to
>belittle our efforts to make music an accepted area of of serious study, and
>further perpetuates the notion that the music program is nothing more than a
>vehicle for "pure entertainment" or extracurricular activity.
>
>Dave

I agree that there can be problems when a student switches from
marching band to concert band, but I don't agree that by having a marching
band a school is belittling the study of music. Marching bands teach
student several things. One of these things is discipline. If a student
doesn't have discipline then how is he going to make himself sit down and
work through a piece of music until he can play it right. How is he going
to make himself do anything that he doesn't want to do but will help him in
the future.
Marching band also fosters friendship among many people. Concert
band can also do this, but in marching band you not only have to play
together but you have to move together and learn to work together to march
in shows or in block.
All I'm saying is don't belittle marching bands just because you've
seen them cause problems in the clarinet section. Remember that concert
band can also cause problems for a student who is entering a marching band.

Cathy

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org