Klarinet Archive - Posting 000956.txt from 1997/04

From: Mark Charette <charette@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Music, performance, and marching bands
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 1997 21:30:34 -0400

I must confess first that I've never been in a marching
band, a brass band, a concert band, an orchestra, a
woodwind quintet, or any other band except an electric one
(lead, rhythm, and bass guitars. especially bass).

Saying that a marching band doesn't play "good" music,
to me, is like saying Janis Joplin couldn't sing. Yes,
it's true, but what's the point? The emotional lift of a
good marching band, combined from aural and visual
presentations, can stir the soul as much as Brahms,
albeit in a more visceral or physical way (to me, at least).
Nothing can replace the the University of Michigan band out
in Ann Arbor! (no, I'm not an alumni, but they sure have
a heck of a marching band and I live relatively close by).

This brings me to a slightly different point. Once in a
while on this list I hear "pop" music being denigrated -
it's not "serious" music, it won't stand the test of time,
it's only "movie" music, it's too commercial. It may be well
to remember that opera was the "movie" of its time. Maybe
the "Star Wars Theme" isn't the "Marriage of Figaro", but
they stem from the same needs. How many pieces were commisioned
way back then for special occasions; gee, isn't that awfully
commercial?

I try to remember that one reason we have music is to
share our feelings with others; to help make them see things
through our eyes along with the eyes of the composer. I
can't do that yet with my little clarinet, but I look forward
to that day.

Back to practicing ...
--
Mark Charette "How can you be in two places at once
charette@-----.com when you're not anywhere at all?"
http://sneezy.mika.com/clarinet - Firesign Theater