Klarinet Archive - Posting 000117.txt from 1998/03

From: Cheddar99 <Cheddar99@-----.com>
Subj: Re: klarinet-digest V1 #705
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 22:02:42 -0500

Just a few comments about your post

>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.

Thank you for informing us about what we have and have not done. for your
information, I have done all these things and so many more that you don't
mention. I have seen the horrible bands, I've been in them before. I have seen
the small bands who aren't there to really compete. I have seen all types,
levels and sizes

>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.

And who are you to say if ones experience is narrow? As i just said, I have
been in all sizes levels of bands, from national champions to embarrassments
to the school bands and seen even more, from all across the country

< It frustrates me that you have such a firm opinion without knowing what it
is
<like to be in a great marching band. What have been your experiences with
<marching band? Have you ever been to a national competition? Unless you
have
<participated in an excellent marching band, how can you convey that marching
<band has no value or greatness?? I am tired and sick of people stereotyping
<marching bands as your typical no-brainer high school kids who can't play
<worth a damn.

I couldn't agree more with Matt Walter. in his post ( the part i didn't copy)
he explains a lot better than me the points I was trying to show. Marching
band can be a musical experience. it isn't always, but you can't say flat out
that it isn't. And you can't argue that someone who focuses all their musical
abilites into marching band is going nowhere in life, when I'm sitting right
here (and many others are too) who is a devout marcher who had been in so many
honor bands and given so many awards for musical progress and ability. You
can't say that focusing on marching has lessened my chances of becomming a
good musician. ANd another example, are my two friends, who were the only 2
clarinets in the whole country to go to the national honor orchestra this
year, who are also majorly involved in marching at my school. Marching band IS
a musical experience. while it may not be the kind that you are used to
(sitting in a chair playing) it's a more envolved form of expression where
your whole body can move with the flow of the music and the show.

Now, I agree that this subject has only slightly worn out it's welcome,. but i
just have one more thing to say. You might not think that marching band
displays true musicality. But what you consider musicality and what I consider
musicality are going to be two totally different view points. Sure, you might
be all high and mighty with a college degree or as a college professor or
whatever, but that doesn't mean that you have the final word on the subject.
Everyone on this list is going to have different opinions on what they
consider to be true music. All i am trying to do is show that you can't make
definate statements about music because there will always be someone who will
jump in and disagree, and neither one may be wrong. In your view, Jason and I
are wrong, and in our view, you are wrong. We are just trying to show with our
own experiences as examples that your stereotypic statements are not correct.
sure, in some cases, but not all, or any that I have been a part of.

Karen D
LAHS Marching Band
LAHS Wind Ensemble
SCC Honor Band
JSCC Honor Band

   
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