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Re: Etiquette...again

Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2007-08-17 05:34

Mike, what you describe sounds like heaven.

I played in the local community band for a while for something to do on Wednesday night, but quit when I couldn't stand it anymore. (I still sit in from time to time, but it only takes a few minutes to remember why I quit; I usually only make it to the first break before I pack up and leave.)

- No discipline whatsoever, and a studied reluctance to shine a light on bad behavior and bad playing by both the members and the director.

- The director's idea of "rehearsing" is to request that people practice their parts and follow a suggestion or two of his, but once mentioned, they are never mentioned again for fear of "offending" a member.

- Seating is up to the members. The best clarinetist in the group routinely sits in the second or third section because he doesn't want to seem "uppity," and anyone--even first time attendees--can play in any section they please (the least capable usually choose first).

- Although many others have done it also, one particularly obnoxious guy -- a big shot doctor in town -- comes to performances, never to rehearsals, and TAKES the first and solo parts from the regulars, with nary a raised eyebrow from the director.

- The band recycles approximately 80% of the same Jr. Hi. level music through the seasons, year after year. (A friend of mine and a founding member of the band says that they've played this 80% every year of the 16 years she's been in the band.

- New music consists of orchestral transcriptions that are impossible for all but a few members to play. Most are replaced by goofy novelty numbers like "Immer Kleiner" or "Two Little Bullfinches," but when the director finds one of his favorites orchestral works in transcription, he'll program it, no matter how hard it is and how awful it sounds.

In short, no real rules, no thought, no direction, no expectations, no discipline,...and no musicality.

Guess how the band sounds!

You're very lucky, Mike.

I'll take the sternest dictator as a director at the drop of a hat over someone who doesn't "direct" at all.

Which makes me think I should add a "Director Etiquette and Best Practices" section to the Web page.

B.

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Etiquette...again new

bmcgar

2007-08-13 20:58