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Re: Battle of the Bands

Author: pmgoff78
Date: 2006-06-08 00:25

True, there's no statistical research to support my statements. It's a terrible pity that my SUPERINTENDENT told me that the band had to be loud and that corps style marching and classical music was NOT appealing. That is my unfortunate experience in this area. Plus, I could understand why he thought that way when I saw all the other bands in the community. They played exactly the way he described.

So, the community drives the program...yes. Therefore, the communities that want competitive programs get that. How competitive it is is up to the Staff. Some people don't even bother with the competitive aspects of it. Those bands tend to win ALOT. Some bands overemphasize the competitive aspect and they win...some. Some bands just want to improve and their kids are hard-working average kids. I personally cannot be against an activity that these average kids enjoy....especially when it's legal. Most of the average kids will never have an experience like that again. Why poo poo on it?

True, there are tons of bands who play out of tune and out of tone...in ALL styles. It's a pity that I've NEVER seen a "show band' play in tune or in tone. By never, I mean never. There are, however, hundreds of corps style bands that do both of these things routinely. BUT, both styles of marching band have and are producing stellar concert bands. So poor music education can't be blamed on marching band, blame it on bad directors. The kids are clearly capable, there must be a disconnect. But the director taught them, so maybe the community needs to be educated too.

There are band programs in this country who have won BOTH National Titles and been invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic. So please don't tell me that marching band isn't about music, because there are plenty of students playing musically in marching band every season, and clearly their concert bands aren't suffering. Just because your band director back in the day was opposed to marching band doesn't mean that is either a) all bad or b) unmusical. there are Directors who are as good or better than yours was, period. However, just because I happen to enjoy marching band doesn't mean it's a) all good or b) 100% musical. There's pros and cons to everything. A long season is hard on a program, especially when that program carries expectation with it. The staff has to balance that for the kids so that they can receive a great MUSICAL experience and a great overall journey. School is about the journey and if you think band is all about music you're wrong. Period. Yes, that's a blanket statement and I stand by it. It's called 'Heartware', as opposed to 'Hardware.'

When we say that kids don't have enough time...that's a cop out. The communities with the really strong programs also have really strong parents who teach their kids to work their tails off. Bottom line. Work or don't work, you reap what you sow.

So, hatred of the activity is only reaping negativity. Focusing on the programs who are succeeding and spreading their message, that you can have a SUPERIOR Marching and Concert Band, spreads positivity. All I'm saying is that a band that can play loud and boogie around could easily play in tune and in tone, and is probably capable already, but that is not expected. Imagine what would happen if it was expected of them, if we educated the community to the more well-rounded music education the kids could be receiving. I teach in a school system with 95% show bands. I'm screaming this stuff every year. Maybe, just maybe, one year someone will listen and the quality of the music education will improve. BTW - it isn't all bad, some of these huge show bands have Excellent Concert Bands. You just don't know because you aren't looking. Some of us have let one bad experience color our perception of what millions of kids enjoy. How sad.

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