Klarinet Archive - Posting 000713.txt from 1997/08

From: "J.Curtis Bain" <jcbain@-----.com>
Subj:
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 23:07:57 -0400

First of all let me say that I think marching band has it's place in
musical society! I play in a military marching band each summer, while
on break from school! While this band also plays gigs, such as mess
dinners, it's primary function is to march to parliament hill in Ottawa,
Canada every day of the summer and change the guard! This band parades
no less than 7 tubas, 12 trombones, 7 euphoniums, 7 horns, 15 trumpets,
1 bari sax, 2 tenor sax's, 3 alto's, 16 clarinets, and 6 pic's. I have
been playing in this band for three summers now! During that time we
have had the odd oboe, bassoon, and bass clarinet player, but seldom do
they play anything other than symbols on the march! The bass clarinet
player always plays regular clarinet, and from time to time we take an e
flat on the march also! On the march you seldom here much other than
the 12 trombones and 15 trumpets, however, Some music is played static
with the woodwinds off to the side rather than in the back, so we do get
heard! We also take 10 pipers on parade who alternate tunes with the
band so the music is running constantly on the march! I feel sound is
important on the march, but coming from a military background, looks are
also important, however, both should be of the highest standard! We
iron our pants, and spit shine our boots because the band can often be
seen from a distance before we are even heard clearly, however, we do
eventually arrive to the location of the spectator and at that point
sound is also very important. Therefore I submit that both sound and
appearance are important! People like to hear good music, but they like
to be entertained also!

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* J. Curtis Bain *
* jcbain@-----.com *
* jbain@-----.ca *
* jcbain@-----.ca *
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