Klarinet Archive - Posting 000836.txt from 1999/07

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] re: Marching band - to be or not to be
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 22:06:42 -0400

On Fri, 23 Jul 1999, James Leonard Hobby wrote:
> But if you dedicate band to only serious musicians, you'd have a very small
> band. Maybe a quintet? Most band members in junior high/high school are
> there for pleasure; music & social.

Our job, as music educators, is to educate musically. This doesn't mean
that concert ensembles have to be boring and unsociable. However, the
really good teachers know how to educate musically - and that is NOT with
an athletic musical ensemble. Frankly, I think many concert band teachers
don't do a good job of educating musically. They are too performance
goal-oriented. Teaching music, with band as a vehicle, is the goal.

> BTW, the marching band was a very good community relations unit --
> actually, for the whole school. We had people attend the concert series
> that learned of the band through the MB. Through winning a competition, we
> had access to the Governor's office -- and some very nice perks -- that I'm
> sure would not have been available w/o it.

Not necessarily. You might be surprised at how the MB became the
advertisement for the concert ensemble. This is what many good teachers
envision....not just another trophy to prove competent teaching!

> Serious musicians? I produced a few orchestra players, a few band
> directors, and a lot of other professions. And a lot of the latter group
> have thanked me over the years for both an educational and enjoyable
> experience.

And so you did it correctly. Bravo! This is the best advertisement for
MB in the public schools. I only wish it were this way everywhere!
Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director - Concert Band, Symphonic Winds & Titan Band
Advisor - Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University

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