 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2004-01-15 01:08
Ok, so i need some advice. I'm a sophomore, thinking about doing something with music as a career (search back a few pages for "Need advice for future" for a more in depth story on that.) I'm faced with the decision in the spring of having to decide whether to audition for the Drum Major position in my school's marching band or to audition for GTCYS, a youth orchestra for kids in the Twin Cities Metro , which is where i live. I'd love to do both, but as marching band rehearsals conflict with GTCYS practices for a few weeks in the fall, i really have to choose between them. (I can still do marching band if i make it into GTCYS, i'd just have to get permission from the directors to miss a few evening practices).
I know in the long run GTCYS is probably the more logical choice, seeing as i want to pursue a field of music as a career. But being Drum Major would give me the chance to be a leader in my home band, and the skills i would aquire would benefit me in many more ways then one.
What are the opinions of readers on this board? Do you think i should go for Drum Major, or GTCYS?
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2004-01-15 01:13
Could you decide after you have tried out? It wouldn't be cool to put all of your eggs in one basket only to come out disappointed. If I personally had to choose, I would probably go with the orchestra. If the orchestra is not very good and your band is a high quality BOA level band, then I would go for being drum major. I would try and audition for both, and then do the one that you want the most. Be careful though and try not to hurt anyones feelings if you do have to select one over the other.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-01-15 01:28
You might be able to make a career out of music if you want, but you'll never make a career as a Drum Major (well, it really is highly unlikely).
But being in both might be fun.
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2004-01-15 06:05
I've done both the orchestra and drum major gigs. To be honest, there are fewer benefits to being a drum major than you may think. It's also a pretty thankless job. Many will resent you for giving orders, there's a huge time commitment that goes into preparing a (quality) marching band, and the conducting skills you develop won't carry over very well for classical ensembles. If music is what you're considering, don't look to being a drum major to help you much. That's not to say that being a drum major is a waste of time. Learning to deal with people and developing leadership skills are invaluable tools. What it really comes down to is where your greatest opportunity lies. What are the chances of getting either position? Also, are the ensembles equal in quality? I'll tell you now, it takes far more than a year to turn around poor marching band, no matter how good the leadership is. Were it me, I'd go for the orchestra position, but that's MOO. Good luck with whatever you decide!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2004-01-15 16:37
I would feel that you may benefit more the playing experience. The drum major gig may be fun, but I don't know that it will give you as much opportunity to develop your musical skills. It may however, be of benefit if your goal is to be a HS band director and work with marching bands. Playing in an orchestra would likely improve your playing, listening and ensemble skills, and knowledge of repertoire. It may give you insight into rehearsal technique far more than DM would. I have always found that playing gives all of my skills a great boost and has done much for me, but it may lie in what it is that I love to do. Think about where your heart is. Good luck!
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Author: lyn
Date: 2004-01-15 17:22
Well, first, you don't have either spot yet. So don't count your chickens!!!
Audition for both. There is no harm in Doing both. Not at the same time, either. The drum major spot would give you insight into how much work there actually is in organizing a marching program, and might help you in making a decision about a career. Francesca is right, it is a very thankless job. And the conducting is a whole other animal from that of orchestra conducting. If all you really want is to conduct, why don't you ask your band director if you can be a student director of the concert band?
One word of caution, if you get both gigs, and you have to choose, you go with the orchestra first. Because Bandos aren't taken seriously out in the real world.........and you won't be if you pick marching band over orchestra, either.
~L
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2004-01-15 22:11
See, the problem is, i really can't do both. The Orchestra meets at the same time as marching band rehearsals for a few weeks in the fall, so while i could still do marching band and miss a few rehearsals, i couldn't be the Drum Major and miss a few rehearsals, or rather, i wouldn't feel right about it. I also wouldn't feel right about making DM, then making the orchestra and dropping the DM position. (Plus i think the band directors would eat me, lol).
Drum Major auditions are before orchestra auditions, and i don't want to try out for DM and not do orchestra just because i (hypthetically) made DM. I have a very good chance of making the orchestra, because i was in it as both an 8th and 9th grader and have the skill level for at least one of the middle orchestras, if not one of the more advanced ones. That's another problem i'm facing. As a 9th grader i was in an orchestra that didn't give me the extra challenge i was looking for. I'm hoping that if i tried out again, i would make one of the top ones, but seeing as i haven't been able to compare myself to many other players outside of my high school, i don't know if i have a chance. I'd like to think i'm good enough, but I really don't know.
If anyone else has any other advice after reading the new information i have divulged, i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2004-01-16 00:21
Is Manny Laureono your director? If so, skip the whole drum major business. While the marching thing sounds great now it isn't like you are going to be doing that "job" the rest of your life. In my opinion marching band has little to do with music and a lot to do with "show." I speak from experience. The college I attended has one of the best marching bands in the nation. Rose Bowl, Presidential Inaugurations Minnesota Vikings games....all instrumental majors were in marching band the first couple months of the school year. (Supporting the football team, of course.) There was no Wind Ensemble until the football season was over. What a shame.
It was the biggest waste of my time as a clarinetist and one of the reasons I quit my degree. What did I learn from marching band? That I hated it. Hated the jocks. And resented the Music Department for making us be in an organization that worked so hard. And for what? We froze our butts off and most of our instruments were so cold no sound came out as the season progressed into November.
This is a no-brainer as far as I am concerned. If this is the orchestra I think it is you will have plenty of chances to work with some really fine musicians. Manny of course is the principal trumpet with the Minnesota Orchestra. Doesn't get any better than that.
I live 60 miles from you and no doubt know some of the people you may be working with in the future. Don't less this opportunity pass you by.
And good luck with whatever you decide.
Jean
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Author: lyn
Date: 2004-01-16 01:52
If your band director is the kind of person who would not want a student to better themselves musically by playing in an orchestra and missing a few marching band rehearsals, if they would stand in the way of a GOOD musical education, the band is not worth being in, and the director is not much of a musician.
~L
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2004-01-16 02:56
First, in response to Clarinetman, no my band director is not Manny, but another very fine musician, and one of the best directors around, Liz Jackson. She doesn't play in any groups, but is a very fine conductor and mentor to me.
Responding to Lynn: My directors would be willing to let me miss a few marching band rehearsals for an outside orchestra if i were a marcher on the field, but to leave them one DM short for as many as four rehearsals in the height of competition season, not only would they say no, but i wouldn't feel right about it.
My own thoughts:
If i had to choose, i'd lean more to the aspect of trying out for the orchestra. The only problem is my mother has some concerns about it. First of all, the rehearsals are held in a downtown area where i'd be walking around in the dark. As i will be a fairly new driver in the fall, she won't let me drive downtown alone, which is understandable. But that would mean she or my dad would have to make the drive every week in rush hour traffic to take me. Another factor is the cost. Tuition is rather hefty, and there are tons of other things they have been putting money towards to further music education for me and my older brother, (school band tours, lessons, music camps, etc)
I realize these are valid reasons to consider, but how can i make my parents see that this is one of the best things i can be doing to further my music experience?
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2004-01-16 03:12
Who is the orchestra director? Your band director is not someone I am familiar with.
I just pulled up the website for www.gtcys.org Very impressive list of people the group has been affiliated with. Hands down....I would pick the Youth Orchestra over marching band. Where in the city is rehearsal? I think the group should have adults to escort young people to their vehicles. If not, it is something parents should request. Having lived in the Twin Cities I know there are neighborhoods that can be scary. Especially after hours.
Jean
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Author: Jerry McD.
Date: 2004-01-16 19:56
Clarinetmama,
I too live in the Twin Cities, I am currently finishing my undergrad degree at U of M (after a long layoff like many on this board). I could be wrong about this but I believe Manny L. is associated with Minnesota Youth Symphonies (MYS) and not GTCYS. I have a student who just got into the Philharmonic Orchestra (second from top) and they rehearse at Augsburg College. The neighborhood is not that bad (notice the intentional hedge) and the walking routes are well travelled and well lit.
Tenorchick...
I too would recommend orchestra over drum major for all the reasons mentioned above. Liz Jackson...Eden Prairie? I agree that the drive could be frustrating, my wife works in E.P and comes home in evening rush hour (we live fairly close to Augsburg College) so I understand your parents concern. What does your private teacher say? If you don't have one...contact me off post. If you want to convince your parents, show them this thread. It might help.
Good luck and let us know how it comes out.
Jerry McD.
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Author: musiq
Date: 2004-01-18 02:01
tenorchick,
I am curently a serious clarinet student at DePaul University. I also was a very serious Drum Major in high school for my Junior and Senior year. Being DM in high school has been thus far one of the most rewarding exsperirences of my life. You learn so much more than just leadership. I cant even begin to explain how much the hard work, dicipline, excitement, pressure, and fun effected me as a musician. Yes, the orchestra would be a good exsperience for you but without it it isn't going to make you less of a clarinet player. If you continue to practice hard and focus your possibviltys are endless. Also, DM might only come around once in your life. If you continue to be serious about clarinet and practice, the opportunity will come up to play in an orchestra in college. Don't feel like you are going to be worlds behind everyone else. Personally, being in marching band is an exsperience I will never forget. So try out for DM! If you make it get ready for a grreat time/hard work. If you dont make it than try out for the orchestra.
p.s why the heck would you not do something becasue its not rewarding. Do something becasue you love it!
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Author: Parachutes
Date: 2004-01-18 04:19
I was the Drum Major for my high school marching band last year, I'm now a university student. Being DM was a very rewarding experience for me. It was a huge responsibility for me to take on; the new band director was brand new, never taught a day in his life before and our district decided he'd be a great person to hire.. anyway, i ended up having to write all the drill, set up and run every rehearsal (including summer band camp), so I really was able to discover a lot about myself and gain positive experience as a leader. I don't regret a single element of what I did as a DM, so I would reccomend that you go for it too. I would guess that your position wont require so much work, but there's still quite a bit of room for you to grow. If you see yourself in a teaching position, or want more insight to what teaching is like, go for DM over Orchestra. There is plenty of time for orchestral experience in college, and beyond. If you're looking for a musical challenge now work on harder solo pieces, or get with a few friends and play chamber music. And like musiq points out above, DM experience only comes in high school (possibly college, but I'd much rather practice clarinet than study marching band scores...).
Erica
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Author: Ed
Date: 2004-01-18 12:39
"Yes, the orchestra would be a good experience for you but without it it isn't going to make you less of a clarinet player."
Any experience playing will make you a better player, being DM is not going to help your playing. In fact, I have serious doubts that playing clarinet in a marching band would help your playing at all.
You really need to decide what you want and then explain to your parents why this is the most important thing to you and why you desire it. until you are completely sure yourself, there is no way you could convince them.
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