Klarinet Archive - Posting 000230.txt from 2002/10

From: w9wright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: RE: [kl] Marching band --- not what I expected
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 12:44:44 -0400

<><> Karl=A0Krelove wrote:
But here's my problem with all of the arguments that, essentially, offer
these kinds of exhibitions up as proof that marching band can provide
rewarding musical experiences. Was there anything in the musical content
that you heard (and found so impressive) that couldn't have been done at
least as well in an indoor venue or, at least, on an outdoor stage with
creature comforts like chairs and some degree of acoustical support?

This is a valid question. I'd have to answer by saying: "No,
there was no **exclusively musical** aspect that would not have been
improved by being seated in a good theater."

However, there can be value in the fusion of music with other forms
of performance. I agree that marching (or dancing or acting or
whatever) is a distraction and hindrance **if** the goal is exclusively
music. I think we'd need to give the same answer if someone asked,
"Why must we dancers (or actors or whatever) be forced to learn music in
order to perfect our movement (or acting or whatever) skills?"

The answer to all such questions, I presume, is 'synergy'. The
whole can (but is not guaranteed) to be more than the sum of its parts.
This is why I included in my first post: "I suppose we could say the
same thing about opera or musical theater, couldn't we?"

My purpose in posting was a little different, however. What I
wanted to say was that marching band doesn't have to be what some of us
assume that it must be. Nor does it exclude superior musical
performance.

The political issue of spending scarce education budget money on
uniforms and transportation --- a 173 member band showed up with
*eleven*!! marimbas mounting on a train of rolling platforms pulled by a
golf cart --- is also a serious issue.

Cheers,
Bill

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