Klarinet Archive - Posting 000930.txt from 1998/05

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Loud community bands (was intonation)
Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 23:13:09 -0400

At 12:32 AM 5/16/98 -0500, Carl Schexnayder wrote:
>Like WHO?? I was asked to go to a colleague's rehearsal. HIGHLY noticible
>throughout the rehearsal was the FIRST CHAIR "CLARINETIST", who stuck out
>well above the rest of the band. I mentioned to the conductor that he
>absolutely must do something about this person and the way she played. Even
>though this took place about twenty years ago, his reply is one I've never
>forgotten! He said: "That's the way she plays. What are you going to do?"
>So I said: "If this were my band, she'd either fix the problem, or she'd no
>longer be a member!" I brought this up just to show that, no matter what
>instrument a person plays, he/she must, when playing in an ensemble),
>function as an integral part of that ensemble.
>
The good thing, or the bad thing (depending upon who you are) about
community bands is that you are not auditioned. You get to play pretty
much regardless of your ability. The purpose is at least as much social as
musical. You do have to take what you get as far as players are concerned.
Some of the nicest people in our group are the worst players, but you
learn to deal with it, and do what you can to improve them without boring
the rest of the group.

Professional groups, and even school groups with auditions, are a different
story. If you can't hack it, or WON'T hack it, you get fired. Musically
this is a far superior arrangement, but socially not so hot. Which group
you prefer to play in depends upon your skill, musical aspirations, ability
to withstand pressure, and availability of other choices in your area.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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