 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2005-01-06 00:57
Guys, I need some advice!
I am currently a junior in high school. As some of you may know from a previous post, I recently auditioned for the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) and was placed in Symphony, the top orchestra. I only auditioned for second semester this year because I am in my school's marching band, and rehearsals conflict in the fall. After attending my first GTCYS rehearsal on Monday night and having a blast, I started thinking about the possibility of auditioning for the entire year next year, and working out something with my band director so I could miss a few marching band rehearsals in the fall. (I didn't do it this year because it was my first year as section leader and knew missing marching band wouldn't be a good idea).
The dilemma is this:
I recently have considered trying out for Drum Major for the marching band next year. I know I cannot do both GTCYS in the fall and be a Drum Major because missing rehearsals if you are a drum major is pretty much a big no-no unless you are sick. But I feel I might have a very good shot at making the position, considering who the other people from my grade are that are trying out.
I'm torn because GTCYS is an awesome experience, but being drum major would be as well. Does anyone have any advice on how to solve this dilemma?
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Author: Anon
Date: 2005-01-06 01:37
Do you plan to be a music major in college? Because if you do, it's my opinion as a teacher and player, that the experiences you'd gain from the youth orchestra would far outweigh and outlast the experience of drum major (however fun that would be)
I've watched many good students get next to nothing accomplished clarinet-wise due to marching band commitments in the fall...it all depends on your time-management skills, flexibility of the band director, and what's really important to you.
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2005-01-06 02:13
I had the exact same dilemma, and worked things out with the director. The rehearsals were shifted for band so that the rehearsal day when I couldn't be there was made the sectional day, a 2 hour rehearsal when the staff would work with the sections (Winds, drums, guard) and get them so off the field they were really accurate. The days I could attend those rehearsals I conducted through with the horns or drums, but it was mainly the other two rehearsals that we got stuff done. My one thing would be DO NOT drop the symphony. I think I have learned more from our youth orchestra than I could ever learn from a band, both about working in an ensemble and as a player myself. I think that if it is possible, then work things out with your director with practices, because being a drum major is a one of a kind experience, and you learn a lot about leadership and basic conducting and about listening to the entire ensemble. But, the orchestra will push you to keep up your clarinet. So, it's your decision, I realize that's hard to hear, but I hope my input helped some.
So many instruments to play........so little time to play them!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-01-06 02:29
Little known clarinet fact:
Sabine Meyer had the same dilemma - drum major for her high school marching band or performing in her high school orchestra.
She flipped a coin. It came up tails.
The rest is history ...GBK ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-01-06 02:30
In the grand scheme of things, don't worry about it. Pick one, and live with your decision. Personally, band was always a great social event for me, so I would never have given it up (in high school the long bus trips and dead time were the highlight of band for me).
You are still early in the so-called "career path." Don't get so caught up in your future as a hoping-for-the-one-in-a-hundred-shot-at-being-a-traditional-classical-decently-paid-musician that you miss out on the present.
Talk with your band director. If I were drum major, I would try to keep other commitments down. You have all of college to be in orchestras, but there's a chance of going to a college without a marching band.
Sounds to me like you can do marhcing in fall and orchestra in spring... doesn't sound like a bad arrangement! It'll give you variety throughout the year and something to look forward to.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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