Klarinet Archive - Posting 000812.txt from 1999/07

From: "Paulette W. Gulakowski" <pollyg@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] school music programs(kinda defending corps too)
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 13:26:36 -0400

Is/Are Cadets of Bergen County your group, or was that meant as an
example?
Paulette

On Thu, 22 Jul 1999 20:41:48 -0400 (EDT) Karena <south_park7@-----.com>
writes:
>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
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Get your free @-----.com
>
>
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