 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-08-18 04:29
Hey I was curious, we have a community band well sort of, but I think its just the local college kids and directors and local private teachers. Do you think its possible for a high school student to join? i would actually like to try playing with different people other than those I spend long hour of band class with, or should I just wait another two years till college? I mean wouldn't it be good to play with people from all sorts of backgrounds, not just people you've been playing with since the beginnig? Thanks for taking the time to reading this!
Sara
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Author: spencer
Date: 2000-08-18 04:57
go for it i played in a community band and it has helped me a lot it was fun too but i will admit that it will be hard to go back to my high school band becuase we arent as good as the band i was in (cameron missouri) but still i want to do it as many years as i can hope this helps
spencer
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Author: Laur
Date: 2000-08-18 05:58
I played with my community band - It was open to anyone. The only requirment was you have to be a JR or above in High School. I was the yougest player. People ranged from professionals, to adult beginners.. It was college kids, and students from other local High Schools. It was a great great opportunity. I played with many other new people, and I played many different parts,sat in many different chairs, and had a new role. I was part of the band. Somedays i was on 1st part, others on 3rd.. and I realized that each part is as important as the next. Go for it. It's an expirence you won't regret.
Laurie.
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-08-18 11:48
I play in a church orchestra and it has been a great experience. We have some high schoolers on up through possible retirees. I know with our group, anyone can visit and sit in on a rehersal and see what they think from there. What Laurie said is true with us, sometimes you play different parts and it is not as competitive as high school band. The only thing to look out for is extreme silliness!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-08-18 12:55
My middle son plays trumpet in a community jazz band - he was 15 when he started a year back - and he's still the youngest. No age limit as long as you could read the charts. He's improved immensely in his playing; exposure to good amateurs and a few working jazz pros really, really helped out. So I'd say that it'd be a great experience.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-08-18 14:59
By all means, join and play as often as possible, it will improve your abilities far beyond regular schooling. It is always pleasurable-valuable to listen [profitably] to our best musicians playing their parts, much like lessons with pro's, I hope others like the way I play mine. Also, experience with other conductors, and in some instances telling them [diplomatically] how they can help me [and others], such as with well-defined preparatory beats etc. Don
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Author: William
Date: 2000-08-18 15:15
I started playing with the Madison Municipal Band when I was in highschool (age 16) and taking private lessons. As the youngest member of the clarinet section, the band provided me with a challenge that my highschool band did not offer. It also gave me a chance to meet a lot of other local musicians which, over the years, expanded my "network" of contacts for other musical opportunities that came along. In September, I will begin my 44th season playing clarinet (30 years as Principal) in the band and hold the "destinction" of being its second longest member (as well as one of its oldest). Sara, a community band is just that--a collection of young and old, experianced and rookie, expert and "just starting out." If your community is lucky emough to have a band (too many cities do not), go for it-- it is the opportunity that may be "of a lifetime." Good luck.
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-08-19 02:18
I'd like to say thanks for all of your replies first of all. I haven't really heard a whole lot about the local wind ensemble but I know it exist, because my private teacher plays in it. I don't know how to find out more about it. I guess I'm inquiring because I would like to play in a new surronding other than one on one with a teacher and high school band class. Thanks!
Sara
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-08-19 04:41
GO FOR IT! You will play all sorts of music you don't normaly get to play in most schools. You will meet people that are there because they LIKE making music. They will range from school kids to retired pros. You can learn a lot from each other. My wife, daughter and I play in two different com. bands. One of which plays year round. We did find one that would not let my daughter play because she was still in high school. We didn't join that one and from rummors I've heard, they're not around anymore. Too snooty, I guess.
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-08-19 20:17
Well, I called the director of what I thought was a community band, but apparrently you have to have an invitation from one of the staff or members in good standing, so there goes that idea, thanks anyways!
Sara
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-08-19 23:07
Keep looking! If you're really interested in pursuing this idea ask in local music stores. The people there have probably heard about local bands and orchestras just in chit-chat with their customers. Even your school band director may know of some opportunities. I know there are several people who are music/band teachers in our orchestra.
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-08-20 03:51
Well I'm kind of I don't know, whats the word-apprehensive maybe, about joining or looking. I might ask my private teacher if he can help me find something other than band where I can play different music with other people. I always like to have new stuff to play sometimes even before I'm done with the one the I have at the moment. I don't know this is my 4th year, maybe I should wait awhile.
Sara
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Author: Jim
Date: 2000-08-20 05:17
30 years ago I was recurted from my college orchestra to join a band sponsored by the local vfw post. At the time I was both the youngest (18) and the only with no military service. (I was in college on a student defferment from the draft!) There was difficulty in finding percussion people, and I offered the services of my brother who was 14 and a HS freshman. The only question asked was "Can he read?" It was a great experience for both of us, he hasn't played since high school, but still talks about that band. The next barrier to fall came in the form of another question from a player "I know a great sax guy, but he's black, shall I ask him?" (This was 1970!) To the credit of all in the band the only question was "Can he play?" Two years later another barrier was broken when another members two daughters joined!
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-08-20 06:38
Keep looking. You might also check with the music department of any local community or "big dollar" college in your area. Also check with the local band instrument store. Even ask the local repairman. Most of the time they know far more than the other people in the stores. I would avoid the "snooty" groups. They are too busy with their illusions of grandeur to really enjoy what they're there for anyway. Find a group that is open minded and is there for the pure enjoyment and fun of music and you will have much more fun and less pressure.
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Author: Rosie
Date: 2000-08-26 01:54
Sara, two years ago my husband started playing saxophone. His goal was to play in a band after one year (he didn't even know what a whole note was when he started). He realized his goal, and after one year he started with a local community band. He's having so much fun, that I just started with clarinet about 2 months ago. I can read music, but the emboucher is a whole different matter. I'm hoping that by spring I too will be ready to join the band.
Around here, there are many community bands, some with auditions, some without. Keep looking, hopefully you'll find a fun group.
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-04-15 16:21
sara - i know exactly where you're coming from.. i started playing clarinet when i was around 8, and have come to play bass and alto regularly, as well.. about a year ago i joined a local military band (http://www.bonsalblues.org - plugplug) and i've loved it and it's improved my playing capabilities tremendously. with our band, you have to be 15 years or older to join. We also have the "invitation by a member in good standing" but it's oftentimes overlooked. talk to your instructor about maybe letting you come to a practice or two, even if it's just to experience the whole idea. depending on where you arein the country, you may have options open to you that you don't realize. Where I live, string bands are really popular.. we have mummers, hobos.. everything. i love my group because it's fun. we range in ages from 16-85.. everyone gets along and helps out to keep the organization going.. it's an awesome experience. we play in parades, concerts, at baseball games, we'll even be playing in hershey park in hershey, PA in july. the music is challenging, and you get a lot of experience because parts are not always assigned. you may normally play a 3rd clarinet part, but if there are not many clarinets around at a job or practice, you'll get pushed up to 1st or 2nd to fill a hole. (i did this once during a 2 mile parade, sighting 8 or so sousa marches was interesting, to say the least)
i'd suggest asking around - teachers, band directors, peers involved in music.. try a vfw or american legion post, keep your eyes open at local parades.. the bands are out there, you just have to find them.. you'd be surprised how many people know different bands, too.. i had never heard of my band, but when i joined i discovered A LOT of people were familiar with the group because it had been in existance for over 50 years
well, that was rather long winded, i apologize ( i also apologize for the incoherance).. but i wish you all the best
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