Klarinet Archive - Posting 001052.txt from 2000/04

From: "Marcia S. Bundi" <mbundi@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl]Challenging, was Community Bands
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 19:10:42 -0400

On Mon, 24 Apr 2000 20:57:54 -0700 Chrissie Gilbert <chrisskg@-----.com>
writes:
>snip<
>
>As for challenges... if they keep stability in a section, my middle
school band
>must have been as ridgid as they come. I know I personally was
challenged at
>least once a week....
>
>-Chrissie Gilbert
>
Upon entry to high school (small rodents had evolved by the time I was
there), all auditioned and were seated by the band director. Challenging
happened only about twice or so a year. He posted a sheet, and you signed
up -- with the highest chair you were aiming for listed. (I was terrified
to audition and didn't, so ended up second to last; challenged up 5
spaces the first time.)

Challenge sessions were held by section after school (for all but first
chairs) and voted on by the section. The 2 players went around the corner
out of the band room into the library, and decided between them who would
be first and second. They then played in turn the sections that the
director called out, and the section voted on who should win. I found
that most kids were really fair, and that ability generally won over
popularity, even when it was close.

Challenges for first were held during band rehearsal with the same
general procedure, except that the *whole band* did the voting.

This was in a northern suburb of Chicago.

In my kids' middle school, challenging was held more often, and only for
1 place up at a time. The teacher did the deciding. The first player,
however, could challenge the teacher -- and name the instrument he was to
play! Everyone knows he hates to play the clarinet . . .

In high school, at least on this side of town, all players make a tape
and the director decides. Both for auditioning twice a year and for
challenging.

Marcia
Great Falls, MT

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