Klarinet Archive - Posting 000059.txt from 1998/03

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Marching Band (was alto mpcs)
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 12:41:37 -0500

> >On Mon, 2 Mar 1998, JohnnyWalt wrote:
> >> ...... rather, they see the true value in such an incredible medium.

Ed Lacy wrote:
> >What is the true value of the marching band?

Bill Hausmann:
> For many, it is invaluable!

JohnnyWalt:
> >> Marching band members are in band because they want to achieve success
> >> and greatness, ........

Ed Lacy:
> >Success and greatness in what?
> >

Bill Hausmann:
> 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.

> 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's points are well taken.....yet they do not speak to what my initial
posting was discussing (although I enjoy the way the thread has invoked
some opinions.....keep it up guys!).....that is....that marching band is
not the measure of a music program. It is a public relations event that
can, if done correctly, contribute to the overall musical education of the
student. It cannot however, be the single, or even predominant influence
of a person's musical development.

I agree.....basketball and football are different, and so are marching
band and concert band. However, we could not defend the "better" sport in
the first case. In the case of Marching Band and Concert Band, it is wise
to remember why we have music in the curriculum before putting the
marching band on the same educational plane as the concert band (by the
way, there are many flaws with the way we run concert bands too.......all
geared toward the performance instead of the musical achievement of the
individual......o boy....another thread!).

Roger Garrett
IWU