Klarinet Archive - Posting 000057.txt from 1998/03

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: marching band
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 12:26:58 -0500

On Mon, 2 Mar 1998, Cheddar99 wrote:

> eager to show us off. As you can see how Jason and I both wrote long responses
> about your posts, you should realize how much we love our bands. we love
> marching band. please don't ever make such comments about them with out
> knowing what you're talking about. And if you think that marching band isn't a
> musically rich area, then try comming to one of our competitions. The bands ,
> such as Amadore Valley, Mountain View, Los Altos and Saratoga and VERY
> Musical. Maybe not the bands you have seen, but you can't make generalizations
> about them. all my friends are obsessed with marching. In fact we have
> elections next week for leaders and you would not believe how many people are
> running for drum majors and groups leaders. Please don't diss our bands. sorry
> for writing so much. I just had to defend my favortie sport... =)

This will probably be the last time I respond to your postings - however,
for the record, I will repeat that you have obviously not read my
positings carefully. I support strong marching programs.

I am happy that you and Jason view your marching program as successful and
inspiring.....that is what is supposed to happen. However, your
successful experiences do not change what I have seen in music education
on the field - coast to coast. While I can see why you might view my
comments as an attack on marching bands, I hope you can expand your
viewpoint to see that you are only seeing your program and the few around
you.....perhaps, if you go to national competitions.....the very best of
the best. I am certain that you have not seen marching programs in Salem,
OR, Portland, OR, Bozeman, MT, the state of Michigan, the state of
Illinois, the state of Indiana, the state of Florida, the state of
Minnesota, the state of Idaho, etc.......You have not traveled to schools
to watch bands - not just AAA bands, but A, B anc C size schools march.
You have not observed a poor music teacher using the marching program to
develop his brass or to represent music teaching to his community because
it was easier and more fun than actually getting kids to play with the
correct embouchure and sound devlelopment.

So, while I can appreciate your posting for what you believe, please
forgive me if I see it as one that is based on very narrow experiences.

Roger Garrett
IWU