Klarinet Archive - Posting 000060.txt from 1998/03

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: marching band
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 12:44:33 -0500

On Mon, 2 Mar 1998, DEvans6896 wrote:
> Marching Band is a sport, and a darned expensive one at that. A town adjacent
> to mine has been stste Champions a couple of times in their class. Being
> retired from a different industry, I became a charter bus-driver. Since I'm
> also a musician I was offered the "trip" to take this band to some of their
> competitions.
>
> My impression was that there was not a lot of real musical ability in many of
> the players. There was a lot of "team" spirit, obviously a lot of work and
> time spent learning the moves: more-so than learning the notes in some cases.
> But what really impressed me was the incredible amount of taxpayer's money it
> takes to put this "show" on the field. Between uniforms, Instruments, Flags,
> costumes, and chartered transportation, a LOT of money has been spent. The big
> concern among the kids and many of the parents is to bring home the trophies.

And a lot of band programs nationwide are cut every year because the
expense cannot be defended musically.....many of the thrills associated
with the kind of band described above can be had with an athletic team,
and most school districts do not want another athletic team.

> Yes, disciplines are being learned, but at what price. And don't confuse it
> with music. I know all the kids and the parents of those kids think it's worth
> it. But to me, it's a very small step from a Drum& Bungle Corp. Just my
> opinion.
> Dave

Well stated. By the way, I simply LOVE drum and bugle corps...the DCI
program......but they are not public schools, so it is a different animal
entirely.

Roger Garrett
IWU