Klarinet Archive - Posting 000126.txt from 1998/10

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Marching band
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 18:01:29 -0400

At 09:28 AM 10/2/98 -0500, you wrote:
>On Thu, 1 Oct 1998, Bill Hausmann wrote:
>> him. A couple of hundred brass players can play MUCH louder than an
>> orchestra, and, by reducing the number playing, can get quite soft.
>> Quality was not an issue, only range. But, yes, a marching performance CAN
>> be very moving, too, but usually not in exactly the same way as "deeper"
>> music. (duh!)
>
>But not as soft as strings......or woodwinds for that matter. I think
>that was the person's point......not the kinds of instruments used -
>rather the colors/volumes/dynamics available to brass/percussion.
>
The original reference was to dynamic range ONLY, and I stand by my
statement, which refers only to the decibel difference between soft and
loud. If you include tonal colors, etc., then, of course, an all-brass
band suffers some limitations.

>> I must respectfully disagree with your first statement here. But beyond
>> that, of course marching band does not rank "above" concert bands or
>> orchestra MUSICALLY. It's the extra-musical parts that give it the most
value.
>
>What extra musical parts are available that are uniquely musical that a
>marching band has that a concert band does not?
>
You misunderstand. I said "extra-musical" with a hyphen, meaning
specifically NON-musical. But to answer the question anyway, how about
sheer physical EXERCISE!?! Not to mention physical discipline, and I
think, a stronger comraderie born of the shared experience of practicing in
the cold, rain, snow, etc., in order to get the show together on a deadline?

All of this discussion, however, is now on silly details and relative
merits. Why don't we all agree that marching band, while seldom (but
sometimes) rising to the level of great art, is nonetheless a valid form of
musical expression and an integral part of a well rounded musical
education? Whether an individual person loves or hates it is irrelevant.
SOMEBODY must like it or it would no longer exist!

Gotta go. I'm due in South Bend to MARCH on Saturday. And even if it is
raining I'll love it (but I'll use the Vito)!

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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