Klarinet Archive - Posting 000768.txt from 1999/07

From: Karena <south_park7@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] school music programs(kinda defending corps too)
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 20:41:48 -0400

I'm sorry this took so long, and sorry if this sounds dumb
and childish...I don't have as much experience as most of
you have with all of this since I'm still in high school.
All I know is that I've been reading along as people are
bashing marching band and drum corps. I absolutely love
these programs, and wouldn't trade them for the world. My
drum corps has become a second family to me. I know that
there is always somebody there to help, whether its
marching, music, or personal. Everybody tries their
hardest and does their best, and it becomes more and more
apparent as the season progresses. I'm not sure what you
don't like about it, it may be as simple as the fact that
they don't allow woodwinds. Obviously, I'm a woodwind
player if I'm in here, but I also enjoy playing my
baritone. Most of my section at corps are woodwind
players, mainly sax players. It takes a lot of hard work
and dedication that some people can't deal with, but if you
don't want to do that, nobody's asking you to be in it.
The directors that you speak of don't seem to let on that
they really know much about drum corps. There are some big
words here and there, but mostly, simple easy to understand
terms that even freshman in a marching band should
understand. As for music, it is a BIG part of what we do.
We spend at least an hour on the music alone without
worrying about any of the drill. If we don't blend well,
we get speaches from the caption heads. Our visual
instructors comment on what we are doing wrong in the
music, so they definately are concerned about the music.
When the staff goes into the meetings with the judges, you
bet that the music is a concern, and that gets relayed back
to us, the musicians. I think Jacque was absolutely right
when she said the drill and marching techniques are a
concern for sound quality. If you can't roll your feet and
keep your upper body steady, then you are never going to
have good air control or a good sound. If you walk flat
footed, you get bumps in the sound. I mean, the Cadets
don't do well because they have a reputation. No, they do
well because they work hard and understand that they need
the marching basics to get the music right. The reputation
can actually work against a corps. Some corps are judged
against their past, which makes it hard to get a true score
for what you did that night and how it compared to others.
Marching band is a bit less intense in my area, and leaves
a little to desire, but if you get a group of people who
are great musicians, it doesnt mean anything if they cant
march. I wasn't too fond of marching band when I first
started, but it grew on me. I learned what it takes to be
good at this and contribute what was necessary. I also
learned that a bad horns up causes many a broken reed. You
can learn a lot about yourself, teamwork, comradarie,
music, marching, intensity, confidence, self-worth and all
that jazz from a marching band or drum corps. Just as in a
concert setting, you are part of a whole striving to put on
the best show you can. There are always little things in
the music, like crescendos or staccato notes or something
that you don't always perfect with memorization, so that's
always an aspect of what you are doing. I just don't
personally think it's right that people bash such
institutions that have taught people like me so much. I
think that even if you only reach one person, you are doing
something right, and since I'm one of those that was
reached, I feel that they are doing that certain something.
I brave the long days of the summer in the hot sun for the
love of it. They may be really hot, and could possibly
hurt you, but with the right precautions, everybody comes
out ok, and usually knowing some part of the show a little
bit better. I say that marching band and drum corps are
great experiences for people. And when in doubt, just have
fun. That's all they are really there for. If you aren't
having fun, then don't upset yourself anymore, there's
probably a way around it. Just don't push yourself into it
so much that when you hate it, you only believe what you
percieve as the bad aspects and don't seem to recognize all
the positive stuff others can get from it. I'm really
sorry if that sounded stupid or something, but it's really
just kinda my thoughts on it. Thanks to those who
listened(read) through my rantings. Karena
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