Klarinet Archive - Posting 000724.txt from 1999/07

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] School Music Programs
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 23:16:12 -0400

At 05:34 AM 7/21/1999 EDT, Paulette W. Gulakowski wrote:
>None of these are classes - including Marching Band. They are
>extracurricular activities and as long as the student's academic standing
>is good, a place has to be made. The coaches do not have to play them,
>but they have to dress (remember the movie "Rudy"?). They have alternate
>spots in the band and are taught to play something - last year we got a
>tuba player that way (and she's not half bad and is back this year!)
>Others play cymbals, there was at least one clarinetist, some are playing
>snares and some quit on their own and some are trained for the band
>front. The instructors, section leaders and field conductors give
>intensive private lessons during band camp (and sometimes at other times)
>to these students so they can participate. There IS an attendance
>requirement so if the student shows up, and works hard, they'll perform.
>>
>snip
>I know
>>it
>>doesn't actually say that, but if a person can sue to be in the
>>marching
>>band without playing an instrument (assuming they are not in the
>>color
>>guard), then something is wrong with the standards.
>
>See my explanation above. In the cases of inclusion, the other students
>see to it that acceptable performance is achieved. Our late starters get
>helped and helped and helped and it is generally appreciated. Today, at
>the clarinet sectional, I had to explain how to finger a "D" (4th line)
>to a high school student who had been playing since 4th grade. Previous
>experience is no guarantee of proficiency.
>>
>>Now I feel silly for getting involved. I like marching bands - good
>>ones -
>
>We're not good (we don't do well at competitions) but we are
>enthusiastic. Alumni return all the time to help out. The staff are
>primarily volunteers who come back year after year after year (3 paid
>staff, 6-8 volunteer professionals and a varying number of alumni - not
>counting those who work with band front)
>
I absolutely disagree with your assessment. Your marching band is GREAT!!!
The stories of the kids helping each other, and the rest of your last
paragraph is all the evidence needed to prove it. Just because your band
is not the best musically or in marching skill does not mean that it is not
providing every bit of educational quality that can be wrung out of such a
program. It may not be the ONLY way to do it, but I can find no fault at
all with it.

For the record: I began playing clarinet by joining the high school band
(concert band only) as a SENIOR, with previous experience in piano, guitar,
and choir, but no wind instrument playing since Flutophone in 4th grade. I
attempted to join the marching band in college as a freshman, passing the
music audition but just missing the marching cut, after being worked with
intensively during the three-day band camp (but I made the cut the NEXT year!).

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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