 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2009-01-03 01:06
Well I joined one this year and at 32, I'm, well, one of the YOUNGER people there, shall we say. It seems like community bands are often retired folks who don't play so well in tune. Lots of people who are "picking it up again" or "used to be better back in the day".
I'm a lousy player anyway and they're really nice though and I've enjoyed it. My only complaints are that we are under rehearsed and out of tune. Here's a sound clip of us playing.
Post Edited (2009-01-03 01:11)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-01-03 01:26
One time I was invited to play in a fairly well-known Washington, DC-area community band (I was about 45 at the time) and when I walked into the band room, at first I thought I had accidentally walked into an AARP meeting. But then when I saw one of the folks taking a euphonium out of its case, I realized I was indeed in the right room. I was the second-youngest person in the band that night, and I'd put the median age at somewhere in the mid-60s. A few of the trumpet and clarinet players and most of the sax players had very 'wobbly' sounds with somewhat questionable pitch.....
But it wasn't too awful, in the end.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2009-01-03 01:50
This fall I joined the Virginia Grand Military Band, an excellent group made up mainly of retirees from the major service bands here in the Washington area. Our oldest member -- a clarinetist -- celebrated his 90th birthday last year!
http://www.vgmb.com/
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: CarlT
Date: 2009-01-03 02:09
I am a rookie in our local small town community band. I've only been playing the clarinet for about 9 months now.
They've been kind to me. They have "basic" band practice every Tuesday night prior to regular band practice. After basic, they invite me to stay with the regulars, and I am now able to keep up with the simpler tunes, and I just go silent when they come to passages that are too difficult for me. They are always very supportive of me.
I'm 71, and I would guess the average age of that band is about 60. We do have a couple of younger people, but the majority are in their 60's. We have several in their 70's.
It is a very nice experience for all of us, and the community seems to embrace us. We (mostly they for now) play at all the local functions, certainly 4th of July, Vets day, Christmas parade, etc., etc.
CarlT
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wicked Good ★2017
Date: 2009-01-03 02:13
A couple of years ago I was asked to join the Townsend Military Band, in Townsend, MA, as a ringer. They claim to be the third oldest band in continued existence in the USA, dating to before the American Civil War.
I think some of the original members still play. ;-)
Seriously, though, it has members from a wide range of ages, from a couple of high schoolers to (mostly) retirees. There are lots of really nice folks in the group, of all ability levels. At the age of 47, I'm one of the younger members.
It's a fun gig, I get to sight-read the concerts, and learn something new with each performance. Plus, the older folks are a blast to hang with.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
There are only 10 kinds of people in the world:
Those who understand binary math, and those who don't.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 78s2CD
Date: 2009-01-03 03:22
Well yes. At 65 I'd guess I was below the median age in our band. But Southern Arizona is a magnet for a lot of pretty good retired musicians. We have what I consider to be a very good community band, directed by a professional clarinetist with a very good ear, who doesn't let out of tune playing pass without doing something about it.
Jim
James C. Lockwood
Rio Rico AZ
"I play a little clarinet"
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2009-01-03 03:35
Good for him! I played three times in a community band and the playing part of it would have been more pleasant if the conductor actually expected everyone to be in tune with each other. The excitement was there and good friends were made, but the band was seriously out of tune, the 1st clarinetist should have been asked to switch with the fellow sitting next to him (who unbelievably kept a wonderful sense of humour in spite of...) , and that trumpet player over there was blasting way too loud. So if you have a conductor who can keep a sense of tuning, that's great!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2009-01-03 03:48
The Charleston (SC) band I'm in seems younger than most, probably because we have several colleges and universities with good music programs in the area, which brings in a lot of younger members. We also have a good cross section of local band teachers represented. I'm 55 and close to the median age. We have a teenage percussionist who comes with his dad and a few members in their eighty's. We have been blessed with a string of good directors over the years who don't give us a lot of slack on intonation or ensemble issues. Bottom line is that we have fun, make passably good music and are in demand locally.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rob Vitale
Date: 2009-01-03 04:13
I played in a community group once, it was really cool, mix of all ages from 11 to mid 70's. But we didn't have an oboe player and our director had insisted that we play Eric Witacre's October....go fig? He wanted the principal trumpet player to perform the oboe solo with a straight mute. He read the solo for the first rehearsal, next week, we rehearse the piece, trumpet player actually pulls out an oboe and played the solo better then the week prior on trumpet. I'll remember it forever.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: leonardA
Date: 2009-01-03 04:29
I play in two community bands. I play alto sax in a band which formed about 5 years ago in my home town of Palatka, Florida, about an hour from where I live in Jacksonville. There are actually some people in it with whom I played with in high school band, which is a great thing. Ages range from high school to 70. Average is probably 50. We weren't very good at first, but we have improved a lot, mostly through the efforts of our conductor who has an excellent ear.
I recently joined a community band in Jacksonville and play third clarinet. I didn't think I was ready, but my teacher encouraged me, and I was able to handle it. I'm excited to have a place to play real music and develop. Nice group of people who were very accepting, and like CarlT I just lay out if I come to something I can't play well, but that doesn't happen much.
I think playing in a community band is a great experience.
Leonard
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: george
Date: 2009-01-03 04:54
The community band in which I play is most definitely a geriatric group (fitting, since I'm 74 years old)--you must be at least 50 to join, and I'd guess the median age is almost 70. It's not a bad group. You can hear us here:
http://roswellnewhorizonsband.net/Basie.mp3
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lynn
Date: 2009-01-03 14:07
I have to consider myself among the very lucky! I play with the Austin Symphonic Band, a volunteer group that has received national recognition over the years. I'd guess the average age of ASB players is somewhere in the fifties, but a number of our members are band directors who still play very well. We are also fortunate to have had a tremendous Music Director/Conductor for the past twenty-two years, and the band assumes a standard that is likely a bit higher than most groups that only rehearse two hours weekly.
Visit our website at http://www.asband.org/sounds/ for archived recordings of prior concerts.
Best wishes,
Lynn McLarty
Austin, TX
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2009-01-03 14:08
I see the group that george is in is a New Horizons Band.
I'm also in a New Horizons group in Wimington NC.
I used to be in a Wind Symphony, but it got to be too much for me, as my health declined from postpolio syndrome.
50+ and everyone from beginners on up. We have college music majors teaching the sectionals (and individuals when needed).
It's fun, as much a social as musical program. Keeps me in the game.
I think a couple of 49 year olds may have sneaked into the group.
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-01-03 14:22
Our band has members from age 17 (my daughter) to well into their 80s. We do a pretty decent job most of the time, stay well in tune almost all of the time and have a great deal of fun playing together. We have a smaller subset, called the Straw Hat band that plays for hire, with all the revenues going to provide music camp scholarships for local middle and high school musicians.
At 49, I am one of the younger members. When my daughter and I joined three years ago, we both messed up the age curve.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2009-01-03 14:59
Band may be the only social activity for that 90 year old person who sits near you and plays badly. Before we start ushering them to the door in the name of a 'better band' consider that someday that person may be you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-01-03 15:13
Goerge, I don't think most of us meant to imply that these older musicians should be excluded from the froups. Some of the best players in my group are part of the group in the 65+ age bracket. Not all, but a fair number. And we welcome all players with a genuine interest to contribute to our band.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wicked Good ★2017
Date: 2009-01-03 15:48
George and Jeff are both absolutely right. Besides, older musicians have a great deal of knowledge and humor to share with younger ones. As I said earlier, I learn something new with every performance. Sometimes it's music-related, sometimes it's life-related, but always it's something new.
I very much enjoy making music with older folks, and can only hope that when I reach their age, I can contribute as much as they do. Making music, particularly in a community setting, is a passion in which those of any age and ability can share.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
There are only 10 kinds of people in the world:
Those who understand binary math, and those who don't.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-01-03 16:42
Larry, that band seems like the ideal group for someone like yourself. I'm only sorry that they are not closer to TOL with open auditions for clarinet or sax underway.
I have played in several community bands and have found much happiness in those that are university or college-based. These recently include the Nebraska Wind Symphony, Findlay University, Monroe County CC, and the University of Toledo. I've been a "short-timer" in several other poorly organized ones.
Over the past few years, I have played anything from principal in the sax section through all sections of the clarinet section; in some, I have had the featured solo spotlight as well. I have also been the ringer at times filling in for vacationing key musicians. This is always fun and it keeps your sight reading finely honed.
I seem to be needed to anchor the 2nds and 3rds clarinets in some groups. I do not mind this at all as long as everyone around is trying hard, prepares their parts, and plays in tune. I do not last long in a poorly conducted and undisciplined community band.
But the bottom line for me is I'd rather not play at all than to play with a band that has no heart and soul and seems to be mindlessly wandering along. As a former band director, I know what should happen on both sides of the baton.
I'm almost 71 and do not hold others youth against them! I still work in my Rose and Klose books often,
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-01-03 19:23
Quite a career, Hank, congrats for "wearing many hats". I was our {Tulsa and Claremore} only Bass clist for a while, played loudly !!, then with add'l B C's, went to Alto cl to show off the parts on my fine Selmer. Being one of several 85 + members, avg. about 60's, am "semi-retired" available as needed, BC, AC, Sop, with my and wife's problems. GREAT, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bassie
Date: 2009-01-03 20:18
Massive age range in the band I play in (something like 8-88 at one point!).
> ... don't play so well in tune ...
Tuning a community band /is/ possible but requires a degree of creativity and flexibility. We're getting fairly good at it. I think a lot of it is in the ability to 'balance the band', to chop and change parts between players as and when the piece requires it. Stronger players help out on lower parts where required. Gets people interacting with each other in different ways, helps mix it up a bit and get people listening. That and a bit of disciplined individual tuning once both instruments and players are warmed up. If there's an odd bum note, sometimes we end up tuning that note! (F, on occasion, darn those brass players...)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2009-01-03 22:55
Players who have either lost their hearing or their memory can drift out of tune or out of sync with a band very quickly. A capable stand partner whom they trust is the best defense against such players.
Are such players are the problem with the undisciplined bands that cause more proficient players to leave? My guess is the problem more likely is a conductor who either is not very good, or who does not care what the band is doing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-01-04 04:07
GeorgeL,
The bands that I have been happiest in are those where the director is well prepared, knows what the band is capable of, and then gets it done. I have had the pleasure of working with two directors recently with doctorates in conducting and strong band experience. Both were university faculty members (since I am a retired professor we all spoke the same language). It was really fulfilling and I am still playing with one of those bands.
Yes, very good players can take things that are asunder for just so long. When you can sightread your parts to almost a performance level and than must endure endless hours of mind-numbing rehearsals, a quick exit usually follows.
My wife says I am an elitist but I took it as a compliment :-). She is such a kidder.
HRL
PS Thanks, Don. It has been a great ride but above all, I have been very fortunate and blessed many times over. Hopefully, I can play as long as you have done which is marvelous.
Post Edited (2009-01-04 15:35)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarionman
Date: 2009-01-04 17:51
I play with 3 community bands. The latest group that I join I think most people are in the mid 30's early 40's. I am 24 and I think I am the youngest in the group. Group 2 is a mix age range. From high school kids to someone who is 73. Group 3 most people are in the mid 40's to early 60's.
The good thing is that all of those groups sound pretty good. With group 1 sounding just awesome, then group 3 last group 2.
But a friend of mine plays in a community orchestra. She is 45 and she is the youngest person in the group. There are a lot of older people in that group. Unfortunately, most of them are in the violin section. When it comes to fast runs on the strings everything goes south. I have notice a decline in the quality of their performance on that group as the years go by. I been going to their concert for the past 3 or years and it seems that they are getting worse. The strings are just horrible of tune most of the time. I just feel that some of those musicians should just step down from their position. But for some of them music is all they have now. That is a though decision that they must make or the conductor should make for the benefit of the group.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Cosmicjello
Date: 2009-01-04 17:57
Our community band is now in it's 3rd complete season and I'd have to say that the average age is maybe early 40's. You have to be 18+ in order to join the group and the only caps is on section size, no auditions.
At last check we had approximately 80% of local area band directors actively coming with most of the other 20% having come at one time or another.
http://www.wasatchwinds.com/audio/june-14-2007/Goddess%20of%20Fire.mp3
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-01-04 18:09
Clarioman,
You make a very good point about stepping down. Some folks stay a bit too long.
But my wife knows that a certain point in my coming years:
1. I should not be driving
2. Golf could become a dangerous game for me and more so for others around me
3. Operating power tools, clarinets, and saxophones should be left to other.
But as long as I can still pass an FAA 1st Class Medical Exam and keep my Certified Flight Instructor rating current, 1 to 3 above may be a little while in coming. As Kenny Rogers so eloquently said "You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em."
HRL
ATP CFII & MEL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Beer Can
Date: 2009-01-05 00:22
I play in a local band with a wide age range as well. The Conductor is 84. We have had some High School students too. This is a very good Band. A lot of the members are retired Band Directors. Check out www.memorialband.org .
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2009-01-05 12:28
I don't play in my community band (Falls Church, Virginia) but I've noticed at local events that the band has attracted a wide age range, from retired people down to some who look to me as if they're in their early teens. One reason for the age range may be the quality of the band: way better than average. I think the director must be a good one and I also think the presence of an excellent, popular music store here in town (Foxes, which attracts customers from all over the Washington, D.C. area) may encourage more adults to stick with their instruments around here.
The "right time to quit" seems to vary tremendously. People age at such different rates. We've probably all met unfortunate victims of early onset Alzheimer's who lost their musical abilities in their 60s or even their 50s. Meanwhile, I'm sure we can all name many professional musicians still playing brilliantly in their 80s, including the principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic, who's retiring early by his own choice, while he's still a first-class player.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2009-01-05 12:42
We have a nice little community band, the Van Buren County Community Band, that is about 2 1/2 years old and slowly improving as we are all learning together. I'm 62 which is about the average age in the band.
Our director is a retired Army Colonel who spent 20 years as a military band director and is a friendly & understanding leader who at the same time expects us to stay in tune, practice regularly, and strive to improve. Also, it helps that 5 of our ~30 members are active and retired local HS band directors.
One big setback in our brief existence occurred last year when a tornado completely destroyed our band building along with most of our instruments, music, repair tools & supplies, and office equipment. Try to imagine what our 5 timpani looked like after having been tossed and rolled for 1/4 mile or so.
We are recovering however, and although our 2008 performance schedule was somewhat truncated, we have received donations of surplus equipment and music from area bands as well as ACB members from around the country.
Raoul Camus, of New York, has been like a Fairy Godmother to us, and really deserves a pat on the back and a warm hug. The band designated Raoul as our honorary director with a standing priviledge of taking the baton at any time he ever passes through North Arkansas.
Smiff
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2009-02-05 22:30
I just found out something that my community band has been doing that I didn't even realize. They pass around a "church-style" hat or container during our concerts. This REALLY ticks me off because we are NOT that good. Something about it just doesn't seem kosher. We are an all-volunteer group and the organization already has a few grand in the bank as it is. I think this ruins it for the audience a little bit. Does anyone else's community band try to collect donations like that? It almost makes me not want to play there anymore (not that that would be some big loss to them or anything).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-02-05 22:59
Johnny,
We had dues when I was in the Nebraska Wind Symphony (maybe $20 a semester) for various expenses. The bulk of the music was from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a couple of people were arranging (some good stuff). But there were always things like programs, the band had its own stands (under lock and key), nice folders, etc. that were purchased.
At the Monroe County Community College Band (70% community members) we pass the hat each week to the musicians. Although the director has a modest budget from the college, he has used the money for a lot of percussion equipment which irritates me a little bit. I choose not to contribute each week.
I'm ambivalent on the hat but if the Sarasota has some cash, maybe bring up your concerns to the board or the director.
HRL
Post Edited (2009-02-05 23:00)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: KhalidahTiaret
Date: 2009-02-06 04:10
And all this time I thought the high age bracket of my community band was because I live in an area originally developed to be a retirement community!
I play in a newly formed community band in Bonita Springs (we're about to hold our third concert of our first season this Sunday) and we're alright. Median age is probably about 65ish... there are a couple of youngins' (myself included at 23), a few local band directors, local music store owners and the like. A fair amount of the players are pretty good, or at least half-way decent... but those who /don't/ make the cut don't make it by a long mile, and our intonation and dynamic range are often lacking. I don't know that I'm going to keep making the drive to play in this band.
I also play in the Edison State College CB, where we just got a new director (the previous director just retired, and actually helped form the band in Bonita). The new director at Edison is a really great guy-- very enthusiastic, has a good time while still getting the job done. He keeps the group focused, and is very encouraging. We're a small group right now, and the age range is wide (high school students to 70's) but everyone has a lot of passion and seems to take their playing seriously. It's a really great group, and I'm glad I've continued participating in it.
It's very interesting to see how we're all experiencing similar situations in our respective community bands despite what area we're in.
~Heather
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
