Klarinet Archive - Posting 000121.txt from 2001/01

From: Donna Higgins <Donna@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Band Clarinetists
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 14:14:29 -0500

rgarrett@-----.edu wrote:

> >But besides all this, after this semester I won't be in any wind ensembles
> >and hope to never be again. Long live orchestra!!! (maybe this is why the
> >shortage).
>
> Hmmmmmm...........it is sad that you have this attitude towards bands and
> wind ensembles. Having played in some of the finest bands in the world, I
> can say the experience can be as good as playing in an equal quality
> orchestra. The literature available to the orchestra is much more rich and
> diverse than for bands, but the musical experience in either can be wonderful.
>

Like Lacy, I am one of those people who live for orchestral playing. I belong to
a community band, but it doesn't provide me with nearly as much musical
development, or pure pleasure, as my orchestra.

The experience of playing real symphonic band literature with a top-notch ensemble
might well cause me to change my opinion. Unfortunately, I will probably never
have such an opportunity. My band plays dumbed-down arrangements of old warhorses
(Rossini, von Suppe, etc.), and lots and lots of medleys that wouldn't be a
challenge for any halfway decent high school group. I could go the rest of my
life without hearing another medley, and it wouldn't be long enough! The
consistent excuse is that that's what the audience wants to hear, and that they'd
be scared off by works that are too "different" or unfamiliar. Which I think is a
load of garbage, but that's another discussion entirely.

This group has had problems keeping not only clarinet players, but other sections
as well, because the selection of music is so consistently mediocre. I tried to
quit once, but the clarinet section leader begged me to come back, and I felt so
guilty about quitting that I did. :-)

I will say one positive thing about the band - it's given me some exposure to
jazz, swing and other musical styles that I wouldn't encounter in the orchestra.

- Donna

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org