Klarinet Archive - Posting 000236.txt from 2002/06
From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Teaching the 'students' of today
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2002 13:33:32 -0400
At 07:51 AM 6/7/2002 -0500, Robert Beckett wrote:
>Bill is right, of course, to urge that more community bands and ensembles
>should be organized so that there will be more opportunities for
>amateurs--of any age--to participate in the joy of making music. But if he
>is implying that there is something wrong with codgers like me who come back
>to music after a long hiatus, and that somehow we are to blame for closing
>out opportunities for younger players, then I want to disagree.
No, I did not mean AT ALL to imply that the "codgers" are doing anything
wrong. In fact, that was how the Bay Concert Band (Bay City, MI) got
started, with it's original name of "Second Wind" Band. But I fear that
young people may look over the group and decide, "I guess this is just for
the OLD folks" when in fact we would ENCOURAGE younger
participants. However, the constitution of our band expressly limits
membership to those OUT OF high school. Personally, I think we would have
a better chance of recruiting them if we were more willing to take them a
bit younger. Granted, at 80 members, we don't need to recruit many! Then
again, maybe some of the current members are worried about losing their
chairs to younger chops!
.
>Perhaps what could be done is for some existing community bands to set up
>youth auxiliaries. They could share their libraries--undoubtedly a major
>investment for any ensembles--and perhaps strike a deal for rehearsal space
>that would be more favorable than what some upstart group could negotiate.
>Surely most public schools have space available, even if at awkward times
>like Monday or Wednesday evenings, for a one-a-week, two-hour plus set up
>and knock-down window devoted to providing community activity for sixty to
>eighty out-of-school-but-still-under-35 people.
An interesting concept. I may have to bring that up to the board! We
currently do rehearse in a local high school bandroom and perform in their
auditorium. Getting Community Education involved really helps!
>I don't think it is the function of such volunteer organizations to change
>public school programs that "suck the joy out of playing," but rather to
>provide an opportunity for joyful music making. I have noted there are a
>couple (at least) of different kinds of community groups out there. One kind
>has perhaps two concert dates in the fall and two in the spring, and at each
>they perform music which challenges the concentration and skills of its
>members. The other kind is a sit-down-and-sight-read group that may schedule
>a concert a month, playing mostly familiar marches, carols, and pop tunes
>that demand little of the players or their audiences, but provide much easy
>pleasure.
>
>The first kind of organization is harder to achieve and probably needs
>support from a local college, whereas the second kind is easier to set up
>and can get by on a little help from high schools or from members who are
>high school band directors. Which is better? I'm not enough of a snob to say
>the first is better, though that is the kind of community band that I play
>in. I have helped another area band on occasion, and though I don't want to
>commit to a band that doesn't challenge me to grow as a musician, I still
>see that it satisfies the people who sustain it. That seems to me like a
>worthy goal.
The Bay Concert Band is your first variety, although I think it began 25
years ago as the second type. I'd like to see more opportunities to get
involved in chamber-sized groups.
>Hey, music isn't just for the best musicians. It's a part of the lives of
>most people, and one that should enclude them as music makers, not just as
>music "consumers."
Amen, brother!
Bill Hausmann bhausmann1@-----.net
451 Old Orchard Drive
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265
If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!
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