Klarinet Archive - Posting 000238.txt from 1998/03

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: MARCHING BAND - THE END (hopefully)
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 1998 17:16:38 -0500

On Wed, 4 Mar 1998, CkSlurpee wrote:

> Ok, I have heard enough. I have read a ton of e-mails that suggest that
> Marching Band is not a sport and it doesn't make you a better musician. Well,

Obviously, you didn't read well at all. Most of us agreed taht Marching
Band was indeed a sport. More a sport than a traditional performance, if
anything.

> that is definatly not true. I am a sophmore and this was my first year as a
> marcher. It was the single hardest thing I have ever done in my life! We

Well, I'll just wait for you get your hands on the Mozart then...

Granted, it's hard, it's rough, and it certainly weathers you a bit, but
once you get more experience undert your belt, you'll find that there are
musical tasks much harder. Like directing a marching band. ^_^

> trained everyday after school from 2:45 to 5:45 from August 11th (YES, BEFORE
> SCHOOL STARTED!)

99% of all high school marching bands do this. So you're really not
impressing anyone. My high school began the last week of July. At the
University, however, we only do the single extra week as well. Of course,
since the band is so big, we can't rehearse inside. Which means all of
band camp is outside. In the peak of summer. Nine hours a day.
Everyday. Oh yeah, I live in the desert, too.

Tough, but I bet no one here is really impressed with your schedule, or
mine, most likely.

> until when the season ended at the ATLANTIC COAST
> CHAMPIONSHIPS on November 8th. We worked our butts off and we got what we
> deserved! We got out of 8 performances, including ACC's, 3 first places, 3

Mmhm. A lot of bands worked their butts off at all the competitions I've
been at. And they all got whooped down on by either my band, or a band
from Texas. I guess since they worked their butts off and got slaughtered
means that they're inferior to you, hmmm?

> seconds, 1 third and 23rd at Acc's. Now that is 23rd out of ALL of the
> Marching Bands in the Atlantic region from North Carolina to Maine!

Oooooo. But can you tackle the Hindemeth while blindfolded and hog tied,
hanging over a pit of sharks with frickin' laser beams on their heads
(everyone deserves a well cooked meal), all while your accompanist is
playing fifty beats too fast, and on a clavichord instead of a piano?

No? I didn't think so.

Just because you were in a band that succeeded doesn't make you right.
Because someone can always top you.

BTW - if anyone wants to see that performance of the Hindemith, be at my
reciatl on April 25 of this year. NMSU Recital Hall, Las Cruces. 8pm,
don't miss it!

That is
> good. And we also got a ton of speciality awards like best music, got that 7
> times!, and best band front. So the next time you think everyone in Marching
> Band is a wus or anything, remember this!

Sharon, NO ONE ever said that marchers are wusses! EVERYONE here agreed
that it takes a ton and an ounce of work, perseverence and dedication to
do marching band. All we did was question the motivations of the
heirarchy, and some even questioned the musical value of it. You haven't
addressed any of these issues - just bragged (or told old man stories:
"When I was your age, sonny, I marched 200 miles a day just to get an at
ease. And even when we were at ease, we were still at attention!")

No one has attacked marching bands. Yes, they're tough. But there are
things out there that are a lot tougher (like trying to please Dr.
Borchert when playing Klose' #37). We're not passing it off as a wuss
excersize - that's the furthest thing from the truth. Anyone here who's
been in a marching band (probably most of the Americans on the list)
agrees with you 100%. I don't think you need to be telling us off.
Believe me, we're a big choir that doesn't care to get preached at.

> Later all
> Sharon Rice, a clarinetist for 7 years

And everyone else? It's just my sick sense of humor...you all know
that...

Shouryu Nohe, a guy with no split ends for 3 years
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe; ICQ 6771552
Coffee Drinker, Musician, Otaku, Jesus Freak, Admirer of Women
(Not necessarily in that order)
--------------------------------------------------------------
"But why? Why me?" - Ikari Shinji
"Because there is no one else who can." - Ikari Gendo