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Klarinet Archive - Posting 000064.txt from 1998/10

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Marching band
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 22:18:16 -0400

At 11:43 PM 9/30/98 -0600, Eric Hatch wrote:

The problem concerns time, musical standards and goals, and
>the development of the INDIVIDUAL player. All three are points that are
>too often abused in a marching programs.

Frankly, that's what concert band, wind ensemble, and even more, solo and
small ensemble work is for. Just because marching band does not address
those issues does not mean marching band is bad, it just means marching
band stresses OTHER forms of development.

What is our vision of music
>education in this country? Does marching help the musical development of
>players?

Mostly indirectly. I know it helped mine.

Can we do without marching band and give kids a quality music
>education?

Yes, if that is your only priority. Marching band contributes to far more
than merely MUSICAL education.

Is marching band the best and most effective way to give
>students a comprehensive music education? If it is not, then why do we
>invest so much time, money and devotion?

Of course not. But we do it because it is excellent training for LIFE.
Why do we spend so much time, etc. on athletics? Same answer. If one is a
waste, then we had better kill the other, too.

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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