Klarinet Archive - Posting 000036.txt from 1998/03

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Marching Band (was alto mpcs)
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 06:39:08 -0500

At 12:20 AM 3/2/98 -0600, Ed Lacy wrote:
>On Mon, 2 Mar 1998, JohnnyWalt wrote:
>> ...... rather, they see the true value in such an incredible medium.
>
>What is the true value of the marching band?
>
For many, it is invaluable!

>> Marching band members are in band because they want to achieve success
>> and greatness, ........
>
>Success and greatness in what?
>
Success and greatness in marching band for one thing. And the training and
self-discipline achieved may very well shold help significantly in any
future endeavor.

>One thing which concerns me about this discussion is that while some
>people will come to the defense of your position about marching, it may
>seem that others are ganging up on you. And, assuming that you are still
>a high school student, you may not yet have the breadth of musical
>experience which will give you the "ammunition" you need to prevail in the
>debate. Ironically, getting that greater breadth of musical experience
>may have the effect of causing you to change your stance on the question.
>
People who put down marching band as if it was in competition with concert
band sound like people who put down football in favor of basketball. They
are different things, emphasize different skills, but are equally valuable
in their own way. Yes, if I have my druthers, I would prefer to play
concert music (actually I like big band music even better), but I am going
to my college band reunion this fall and marching on the field (25 years
after graduation) because marching band meant so much to me. And so did
concert band. They BOTH contributed immensely to my musical and overall
personal growth. I wouldn't be who I am today without either of them.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.