 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GuitarGirl
Date: 2009-07-06 22:14
I will start learning to play the clarinet this week. I'm entering my senior year of hig hschool and have managed to get into concert band even though I've never played clarinet before. The band director knows I play piano and guitar, and she said it would be similar to someone changing instruments so she let me in.
Anyways, I was thinking of joining a band in college. I know I'd be one of the worst people in it due to my 1 year of playing, but would it be doable? If I get accepted, I'll attend UNC-Chapel Hill. Their site says, "The band is composed of approximately 275 students and membership is open to all University students, regardless of major. " ( http://www.uncbands.org/athletic.html ) Would you assume anyone who has an interest and is willing to put in the work will be welcome to play? If not, I see they have a springtime concert band open to everyone which I would join.
Within a year of playing, do you find it feasible for me to be at at least the bottom level necessary for a college band? My major won't be music related (will be either Bio or Chem), but I just want to have a fun, rewarding extracurricular.
Thanks, and if I forgot to provide some vital information, just ask. :D
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2009-07-06 22:30
At USF where I currently am, most of the marching band is non-music majors. It's basically whoever is willing to show up every week and put effort in to do it. In the spring there is an open band to anyone who is willing to do the same. From what I know it's the same at most colleges but I can't be sure about that one. You could always email the director of bands at UNC and ask. And if you are just starting to learn, you might want to wait and see if you even like it.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-07-07 01:51
With that many, who would even hear the clarinets! ;-)
Good luck. Work hard and you should make it.
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Author: lrooff
Date: 2009-07-07 05:01
I'd say that a lot of it is up to you. Part of it depends upon your inherent ability as a musician, and part on how much you're willing to work on it. When I started playing back in the 8th grade, I got a lesson every week for two months, then was on my own. Beginning band for a month, then made it into intermediate band, and two months after that, I passed the audition for concert band. I also remember other kids who started out in beginning band and never got any further. At the end of the tenth grade, I decided to learn bassoon. Spent the summer working on it at home (couldn't afford lessons), and made it into concert band that fall. So, I'd say that what you're proposing is quite feasible if you have the talent and are ready to invest the effort. Just don't let people discourage you.
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Author: dgclarinet
Date: 2009-07-07 11:56
Yes..definitely plan to be in the marching band. You'll have lots of fun and meet lots of more interesting people than you ever will in chemistry classes. As far as "being good enough to be in the marching band"...I wouldn't worry too much about that. Practice to be better, but don't worry about being Stanley Drucker in a UNC band uniform. They might make you play an "audition" to be in the band, but probably nothing more than playing a scale and making sure you know which side of the mouthpiece the reed goes on.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-07-07 13:25
Is there a competition to get into the Band? Penn State for instance has pretty stiff competition for it's members and many who apply don't make it.
If there isn't one, you would probably do great as Marching Bands need warm bodies with feet to march. Even if you are sometimes winging the part and missing notes, your help to the band would be in the uniform and marching properly.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: TonkaToy
Date: 2009-07-07 15:59
I don't see why not. Marching band has about as much in common with music as modern dance does with architecture.
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2009-07-07 16:38
This is the first time I have seen a post where the ultimate goal of the poster was to audition and win a position in the Marching Band.
I can now die as my life is complete.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-07-07 16:52
C'mon, I'm with David here. Marching Band may not appeal to everyone, but it sure is a way to gain experience, and to make new friends.
And you know that you have reached the lesser end of the musical food chain when you audition for MB and fail... ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-07-07 17:08
Let's also not forget that frequently some of the marching bands use students simply as "place holders" to fill out the ranks. Their job is to march correctly, learn the formations, but not to play (since they do not know how)
You can always spot them on close ups of the band since they (the clarinetists) are wearing gloves without the finger tips cut off, or they are holding their clarinet (or sax) backwards, or they have the wrong hand on top.
...GBK
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Author: FDF
Date: 2009-07-07 17:52
Guitargirl, You should go to the UNC Band Camp in August. The info is here http://www.uncbands.org/bandcamp/info.html According to the info clarinets do not need to audition for the band, while trumpets do. If you enjoy your experience at band camp, you should be good to go for the band. Have fun!
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Author: davyd
Date: 2009-07-07 19:57
I second the idea of attending a band camp before signing up for band. Marching band is a lot of work for not much academic credit.
If it's to your liking, I'd say to go ahead. I participated in college marching band as a non-music-major, but impressed the music department management sufficiently to get a part-time job in the music office.
How advanced are your piano chops? You might be able to pick up some bucks as an accompanist when recital season starts, and this would be a good way to make some contacts.
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Author: GuitarGirl
Date: 2009-07-07 20:31
I know marching band isn't exactly the BEST musical experience, but I feel as if I missed part of high school (most of my friends are in band). I was only allowed in band this year because we got a new band director, otherwise I'd be in the lowest band since I had not played since 6th grade.
About my piano chops, I can play around a grade 6-7. I've been playing about 5 years, and although I don't take the exams, my teacher teaches students who have and she says I'm at about their level.
Thanks FDF...I'll definitely go next August if I'm still interested in the clarinet! I honestly wouldn't mind being a person just used for the body, because I know almost everyone else will have had much more experience than I have. However, if I keep with it all 4 (go somewhere else after), or 6 (pharm school), or 8 (dental school) years at that college, I will have gained a lot of musical knowledge and many friends. 
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-07-07 21:16
And the reward for being in the UNC marching band is ... you get (have) to go to UNC football games. All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2009-07-08 00:53
In all seriousness, I played in marching band in HS and have many pleasant memories of doing it.
I am all for students participating in marching band if they want a social experience and would be going to their HS football games anyway.
When I have a student who has musical ability, I do try to steer them away from marching band as no good comes from marching around a football field in cold weather where no one could ever hear you anyway.
And for the students who still want to do it, I insist that they use their father's old Bundy.
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Author: GuitarGirl
Date: 2009-07-08 13:25
Would those of you against marching band feel I'd have a better experience in the university's concert band?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2009-07-08 13:29
GuitarGirl wrote:
> Would those of you against marching band feel I'd have a better
> experience in the university's concert band?
Even without being "against" marching band the concert band will give a richer experience. The complexity & depth of music that can be played while marching must necessarily be of a different quality as compared to music where you can sit & concentrate.
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2009-07-08 13:44
With a good teacher and regular lessons, I definitely think it's possible, especially with experience in reading music.
Meri
Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com
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