Klarinet Archive - Posting 000896.txt from 1997/08

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: klarinet-digest V1 #165
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997 22:21:16 -0400

Karen,

I urge you not to complain if a person writes an opinion. The person you
are apparently directing your anger at was relating a story that is
relevant......and, frankly, her statment regarding the majority of
marching bands is right on target.

You are a high school student, very lucky to be part of what may be as
musical a marching band as a marching band can be. But until you have
experienced the sheer number of marching band performances that many of us
have, please do not expect us to take your personal experience as an
example that defines the musicality of marching bands.

I speak from over 15 years of teaching.....at all levels....and I can
assure you, having taught in many states between Oregon and Michigan, that
the majority of marching bands are not musical; rather, they rehearse the
same literature (5-6 arrangements) for four months in an effort to win a
trophy - usually to prove to parents and administrators that something
good is happening in the teaching process. Sadly, nothing could be
further from the truth. The high school programs that imitate what the
DCI corps do is not what high school band should be about.

I hope you will take some time to examine the important reasons why music
teaching exists in the public schools, why music exists in the
professional world, and how marching band fits into that before asking
professional educators not to make statements because they haven't heard
"all of [the marching bands]". I have heard more than my fair share!

Congratulations on your success at the high school level....best wishes
for continued success on the field and in the concert hall.

Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Music Education
Director, Concert Band/Titan Band/Symphonic Winds
Illinois Wesleyan University

On Wed, 20 Aug 1997 Cheddar99@-----.com wrote:

> Not all marching bands are just volume. My school (Los Altos High School in
> Los Altos, California) Happens to be extremly musical on the feild. Just
> because the bands you have heard are all loud, doesn't mean others aren't. We
> get yelled at for playing too quiet!! Please don't make statements about the
> musicality of marching bands when you haven't heard all of them
>
> Karen D.
>