Klarinet Archive - Posting 000747.txt from 1997/11

From: "BALDY" <comic@-----.com>
Subj: Re: professional wind ensembles
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 14:47:08 -0500

Unfortunately the many of the military bands are being dis-banded (sorry).
I spoke recently with a former Director of the Army Band (he's now with
Disney) and while the four services will still maintain a band most of the
bands that were attached to units will be no more - a part of the base
closings, and giving composers less reason to write for bands.

>
> Beyond the music issue, the last really professional bands were the
> Goldman Band and the Sousa Band - and they did, essentially, what many of
> the top military bands do today......provide indoor, outdoor and parade
> concerts. We have so many good military bands now (complete with
benefits
> and instruments provided, etc.), that a professional band, funded by
> donations and fund raising, could never compete with the military. Even
> professional orchestras are failing for similar reasons.
>
> Roger Garrett
> Illinois Wesleyan University