Klarinet Archive - Posting 000731.txt from 1997/08

From: "A.J. and Julie Arisco" <shado11@-----.net>
Subj: marching band redux
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 23:08:15 -0400

Re: marching odd instruments
> And if the oboes and bassoons want to march, it's their
> instrument. If they want to have fun yet risk wearing down their instrument,
> that's their choice.
>
Unfortunately, it's not often their "choice". I once had a petite 7th
grade private student, who took lessons on B-flat, come to me in tears
because her band director made her march w/bass clarinet that she played
in concert season. She might have weighed 75 pounds! She, like many
others, did not consider it fun. I told her to send her medical bills to
the band director.
Different writer:
> I just don't understand the poeple who are
> saying that they don't like it and would rather not participate in it (no
> offense).
No offense taken. And BTW, none meant in my surly post earlier today! (I
really needed my coffee and it was toooo slow!;)
Some people love opera, others hate it. Some adore rock, others abhor
it. Country has its fans as well as its detractors. There is something
for everyone. We should all respect each others preferences, and take a
listen to see what all the fuss is about. Even among marching band
devotees, you have your corps-style fans as well as your military-style
fans, etc. And those discussions can get nasty!
But...what I resented was being *forced* to wear a poly-wool uniform in
90+ heat, to be outdoors playing my plastic horn ruining my embouchure
instead of being able to play my good horn. To be used and abused for
entertainment purposes that I *don't* enjoy. Since my, and many other ww
players, solution was to *not* play a note, and go out there reedless,
we were simply bodies out there filling holes. But I felt better about
my embouchure, the state of my reeds, my teeth, and my mouthpiece.
I think instead of making us participate, great good could have come
from having a ww choir, perhaps made up of those who didn't want to
march.
There's nothing wrong with anyone who *likes* marching, nor anything
perverse about those of us who *don't* like it. I happen to looove drum
corps---I don't wish to participate (if I were perc. or brass) but I
sure appreciate the spectacle and entertainment value. Those people are
not *forced* to join, either!!
Something seems to be lost, again IMHO, when the entire music program,
in my HS and undergrad cases, are required to participate. At least
three bands combined to 300+ marchers. From the best players to the
not-the-best. I would think there may be room for people *not* to
participate, have tryouts like in concert season, and allow those whose
talents and interests in marching shine through. After all, many of my
classmates *hated* concert season with a passion, and did poorly on
tryouts so they could be in the last band....
We all have our humble opinions: if you have read this far, you have
just suffered through some of mine!

Sign me, just glad I don't have to do it any more!
Julie