Klarinet Archive - Posting 000248.txt from 2002/10

From: w9wright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Marching band --- not what I expected
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 21:03:21 -0400

I truly understand and agree with some of the points being made here.
Especially I agree that some programs probably *do* make unreasonable
demands.

I posted my own anger a few months ago when a drama teacher told my
daughter that drama must be the **Most Important Thing In Her Life** for
the next nine months simply because she was enrolled in a drama class.
This attitude is a mistake in every area of education, even in music
conservatories. Regardless of what the teacher or boosters want, it is
the student who makes such decisions about their own lives --- albeit
teachers and boosters control the resources and can damage the students'
educations.

I do wish Tony Pay would re-tell or re-post his joke about "Maestro, I
read." This joke is usually told for other reasons, but it does
illustrate the dilemma.

I would like to make two observations without becoming an all-or-nothing
advocate of any particular policy. These are only observations. I've
lost track of who origially posted the following quotes:

==============

<><> Any visual effects or 'showy' visuals are frivolous and takes
attention away from music as an aesthetic art.

I think this takes away from music, and it represents the bad aspects of
isolation and clique and conceit.

If it were completely true, why should concert performers wear tuxedos
or any other uniform? Why allow the audience to see the performers at
all? Why not condemn a clarinetist who continues to hold the clarinet
to his/her lips after the music has finished? Why not condemn a
clarinetist who dances down the aisle rather than just walking somberly
onto the stage? Should orchestras refrain from rehearsing with actors
in musical theater or with singers in opera?

The valid question is: "Where should the line be drawn?" Once again, I
*do* agree that some programs go too far in either direction.

==============

<><> What originally pressed my button was the implication in Bill's
original post that those of us who complain about school marching
programs do so out of unawareness that a marching band can be musical.

Yes, that was part of my statement, and I have learned something by
listening to the reples. I still think that my statement deserved to
be made, given the general condemnation that is often given to marching
band. I would imagine that not all programs go too far.

Although this doesn't rove anything, I would like you to know that the
two young ladies who accompanied me to Tony Pay's peformance of K622
were (A) a member of the flag team who marched last night, and (B) at
the time, but no longer, a cheeleader.

The other part of my statement is important also: If any other people
on this List are like me, they simply did not realize that 'marching
band' is more than football fight songs and Sousa marches. This
deserved to be stated also.

Regards,
Bill

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