Klarinet Archive - Posting 000831.txt from 1997/08

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Marching Band
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 19:13:17 -0400

Actually, having taught in many different public schools before teaching
at my present university, Matt is not entirely correct. Marching band is
offerred for PE credit at many high schools and colleges. Band directors
do not receive additional money for winning a marching contest...they are
paid by salary, usually on a scale that changes each year depending on #of
years taught and level of education.

Contrary to what Matt may think (and I know he is well meaning!), MANY
band programs are cut ....regardless of the marching program. It is just
that many programs survive because the marching program is so visible.

People who write shows for high school marching bands make anywhere from
$200 to $10,000....depending on the expecation of the district. This is
especially true in the state of Texas.

It is a fact, students may have poor musical skills and still have talent.
Undeveloped talent is not always a student's fault...often it is because
more time is spent on the field developing a coreographed show than
developing musical skills (eg....sound production, technical facility, ear
training, listening skills, rhythmic ability, reading ability), etc.

My letter was not meant to degrade marching band...it was to present
facts.

Roger Garrett
Music Education
Professor of Clarinet
Director of Concert, Titan Bands
Illinois Wesleyan University

On Mon, 18 Aug 1997, Matthew A Cullen wrote:

> Ok, I read this and I got a little angry, so let me respond
> >Marching band is designed to:
>
> >>a) entertain the home crowd at football games (rare)
>
> Wrong, shows a re very entertaining, at least my bands are!
>
> >>b) provide an avenue for the band director to showcase his band to
> >> parents, community and judges who might give him a trophy
>
> Maybe to showcase the band, but not for a trophy, for MONEY (Duh~!)
>
> >>c) prove (by way of a 3rd place trophy or honorable mention) that his
> band
> >>is really worth keeping in the program
>
> This one is just dumb, The band would never be disband ( No pun
> intended!)
>
> >>d) provide PE credit
>
> IT DOES NOT PROVIDE P.E. CREDIT!!!! 8~(
>
> >>e) keep students who might otherwise quit band in the program in order
> to
> >> give them purpuse (non-musical) and social opportunities. As Revelli
> >> once said, kids join band to ride a bus!
>
> ok well, socializing is fun, but alot like the program!
>
> >>f) support the athletic teams
>
> Why would anyone want to support a bunch of morons who chase a pig skin
> around for an hour!
>
> >>g) prepare the band for pep band...which still supports the basketball
> >> team.
>
> Oh, bands are supposed to support basketball?
>
> >>h) provide secondary incomes for computer whizes and coreographers in
> >> terms of show design.
>
> Well, they do get paid but, it shure aint ( I hate that word) much!!!!
>
> >>i) provide leadership skills for students who may not have great
> musical
> >> skills.
>
> This is almost mean, but it is true about the leadership skills, but
> there is musical talent in everyone, some are just less "endowed" (
> Sounds like I am talking about breasts.) than others.
> Matt
>