Klarinet Archive - Posting 000031.txt from 1998/03

From: Cheddar99 <Cheddar99@-----.com>
Subj: Re: marching band
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 01:07:24 -0500

As an actively involved marching student, I'd like to say that it's not the
competition which motivates the band. the competition is simply a way to prove
what you have accomplished during the season. In my marching band we had a
discussion at the end of this years season and it was a 100% vote that even if
we had no performances, and were basically "wasting" our time by learning the
drill for nothing, we would still all sign up. Marching band doesn't just
teach us group work, it let's us feel as though we have a part in something.
Sure, it feels really good to win, we should know, we've been in the top 3
bands at almost every competition in the past 3 years, but that's not why we
do it. We do it becuase we all love music, love being outside and love being
with our friends. and in response, or more of a back up to Jason's comment,
Mountain View high school and Los Altos high school also did a joint parade
for Christmas and both towns loved it. in fact 10,000 people came to see the
two band perform. Absolutely no money was made off of that and since our band
director doesn't work with our marching band, he obviously wouldn't be so
eager to show us off. As you can see how Jason and I both wrote long responses
about your posts, you should realize how much we love our bands. we love
marching band. please don't ever make such comments about them with out
knowing what you're talking about. And if you think that marching band isn't a
musically rich area, then try comming to one of our competitions. The bands ,
such as Amadore Valley, Mountain View, Los Altos and Saratoga and VERY
Musical. Maybe not the bands you have seen, but you can't make generalizations
about them. all my friends are obsessed with marching. In fact we have
elections next week for leaders and you would not believe how many people are
running for drum majors and groups leaders. Please don't diss our bands. sorry
for writing so much. I just had to defend my favortie sport... =)

Karen D.
LAHS Marching Band
LAHS Wind Ensemble