 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2010-09-04 14:59
There is an article about changes in military bands in today's NY Times.
It includes this quote:
Quote:
“Traditional brass and woodwind groups,” while still “vital to overall support,” have taken a back seat to pop of all hues: rock, blues, country and “succeeding genres of music.” More vocalists have been added to bands.
“That 20-year-old really doesn’t want to listen to symphonic-type music,” Colonel Palmatier said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/04/arts/music/04army.html?_r=1&hp
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Author: William
Date: 2010-09-04 15:16
It is sad but true that most "twenty year olds" would rather listen to Lady Gaga than the President's Own. Symphony orchestra's are facing the same challenges in maintaining numbers in the audiencies. The "times" are changing, for better or for worse, depending on which end of the generation gap you live. Rock & Roll didn't kill most of us--I think our younger generation will do just fine in the long run. Our concert bands and orchestras may be less fortunate as the old ways always give in to the new...... Just my obervation from my current position in our orchestra's clarinet section.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-09-04 15:44
That's the reason that Symphony Halls are filled, or unfortunately unfilled, with mostly greying audiences. It is a generation thing and it seems to be only getting worse with the internet and availability of pop music throughout the world on so many mediums. There will always be a "classicial" audience but they are a very small minority and it appears to be getting smaller. Too bad for the scores of musicians that want to make a living from playing their instruments, yet our music schools are turning out more and more of them even as the demand for them is shrinking but the moment. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2010-09-04 19:18
Interesting. I got a job with a high-profile military band in London whom I will be starting with next year. I've already performed with them and the hall was packed; mostly grey hair, but the band has fans nonetheless. Tickets weren't cheap either. It appears that British military musicians have it a lot better than American musicians but we'll see if I still think that when I'm actually in the job...
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-09-04 20:29
I've long felt that classical music will eventually fall in the status of a true niche, one that will be sustained by a small subset of the population. What I fear is a loss of talent after the transition period is over... how many player will reach the greatness to that of Anton Stadler when Clarinet has become an instrument as foreign to the masses as the Serpent?
A musing that I have is for military marching bands fielding Electronic wind instruments in the future. This evolution in the music and the instruments used by armed forces isn't so surprising considering how far we've come in terms of military band, even comparing to the Napoleonic grand armee.
What I also have to add however is that a certain element of tradition will mean that the woodwinds used in the military might not become totally obsolete. For example, the Bagpipes have survived due to how symbolic it is historically. Flute/piccolo, snare drum as well as cornet all are deeply ingrained in the history of warfare that they will survive into the future.
Such cannot be said of the single-reed clarinet unfortunately.
Post Edited (2010-09-04 20:40)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2010-09-04 20:37
The university music schools have no conception of supply and demand - they only want your money...........
I was talking with Gilad on that and he said that he requires all of his Undergrad students to double major.
(my commentary) That way they will have way to support themselves until they get a job, or a taste of reality......
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-09-04 20:45
Makers of musical instruments should always keep in mind that it is ultimately the amateurs that have the disposable capital and the will to spent on such instruments come to think of it.
To chime in on the point that David just touched on, our society does not really value musician as professionals... only marketing prowess of the entertainer is respected.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-09-04 22:27
“That 20-year-old really doesn’t want to listen to symphonic-type music,” Colonel Palmatier said.
This is probably true, but it's is hardly a new idea. During World War II, Glen Miller created his Army Air Force Band to perform music designed to appeal to the 20 year-olds of his time.
Many of you mentioned shrinking audiences. Very true. However, I've attended free summer symphony orchestra concerts, and the crowds are huge.
There are people of every age group. Perhaps it's the lighter music, perhaps it's the free cost, or perhaps it's because everything is family-friendly. Of course a symphony orchestra cannot survive playing nothing but free summer outdoor concerts, but the crowds do seem to be very enthusiastic.
I wrote about this a while back, and I'll say it again. Part of the reason for shrinking audiences is the music performed. Yes, I appreciate the great classics, and many others do as well. A large number of those who aren't turned on to classical music really enjoy selections like Rhapsody in Blue, American in Paris, Fanfare for the Common Man, 1812 Overture, the New World Symphony, the William Tell Overture, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, etc. Who is writing this kind of music today? To put it another way, which composers today are writing great music that the masses really enjoy? Many people have the perception that all the really great music has already been written. That's the real problem.
I received my September issue of the Instrumentalist magazine yesterday, and there's an article titled, "The Writings of Harry Begian." Begian was quite concerned about shrinking audiences for university band concerts, although he didn't think university orchestras had the same problem. He observed (and I think he was correct), "While many reasons are advanced for the causes [of shrinking attendance at band concerts], one never hears or reads that perhaps the main reason for the decline is poor programming. Far too many band conductors have forgotten, or consciously dismissed, a proper balance of musical responsibilities to both audiences and players . . . "
David wrote, "The university music schools have no conception of supply and demand - they only want your money..........."
David, I think you're right. It's a real shame. I'm glad to hear that Gilad is requiring his undergrads to double major.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-09-04 23:53
Well, music, ultimately, is a business. It's wonderful if you can support yourself with what you love, but it IS a business of supply and demand. You can't make money and get paid well if you can't fill the seats and get an audience. Just like any other job. Ultimately, it's your clientele that drives the business. And when times change, you have to change with them, or face an increasing possibility of becoming extinct, and out of work.
Alexi
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Author: brycon
Date: 2010-09-05 02:17
Music is not a business. Making money is a separate skill that some musicians posses but many, unfortunately, do not.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-09-05 04:01
Maybe this will settle it!
Ah, music! What a beautiful art! But what a wretched profession!
Georges Bizet, 1867
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-09-05 06:59
The bands goals are to bring music to areas of the country that aren't priviledged to see and hear really great music for free. The bands are also used to help recruiters find young adults interested in joining the military. These groups have several other duties.
Not too many high school students want to hear old 1940's jazz tunes like "In the Mood." Although I played in the military band, I really didn't care for the marching band and the jazz band, but I was lucky to play the sax in the rock band. I still had to play with the other groups, but not as often as with the rock group.
These military bands do need to play present music. They also need to play evening concerts, so playing a variety of music is necessary.
After performing concerts, about 400 every year, probably more, standing ovations are sort of a given.
Whats interesting are the singers. After the concerts the singers are usually surrounded by young adults and kids, wanting autographs! It's pretty amazing actually. During the years of performing only 2 people asked for my autograph, so I strongly feel the singers put the bands over the top.
Getting rid of the bands will of course save a ton of money. At the same time bands are tools to help attract people to join the services and make a huge difference to the US.
As far as I know the Air Force does have an orchestra, jazz bands, marching bands, rock bands, concert bands, and ceremonial bands. I'm sure other branches of the military most likely have the same groups.
I hope these bands don't go away because of budget cuts.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-09-06 02:14
Quote:
Music is not a business. Making money is a separate skill that some musicians posses but many, unfortunately, do not. I mispoke. What I should have said was more along the lines of the Military Bands being a business. We earn a paycheck and benefits, and to do continue to do so, we need to show that we are needed, and appreciated by our audience (whether it be a concert for the local community, a change of command, or a performance at a military ball).
If I play what I WANT to play, and it doesn't happen to coincide with what those audiences want to hear, pretty soon our budgets get cut, we start to get diverted towards other taskings, and my life gets worse, and I get to play less. However if what I play DOES jive with the audience, we get to keep doing our job.
Yes the latest enlistees in the army, especially the younger ones, want to hear rock, pop, etc. But us army folk are smart. We keep track of our venues, who comes, what the liked, what they didn't. So when we go back to Smithville, we know that last year the audience was mainly retirees and families, lots of them with small children. So we play a disney medley, some beatles medleys, some classical stuff (maybe of a lighthearted nature to keep the kids enthralled). When we play a friday night military ball for the MP detachment, we might send the rock band for the main event, and maybe a jazz combo (possibly made up with members of the rock band) for social hour before the ball starts. When we're requested for a social hour for a formal dining in, we're thinking our punk/ska band might be a little much. For a "formal" occasion we send our more "dignified" groups. WWQ, Brass Quintet, playing light classical pieces. (I say "dignified" cause I'm in it )
So the military band requires a variety of music, and lots of people wear multiple hats. Our bassoonist plays sax in marching band and rhythm guitar in rock band.
To be honest, I wouldn't say that WWQ has taken a "back seat" to rock band, more that we are more careful about choosing which groups to send where. I'd wager that over the course of a year, (especially during my first deployment), I performed on clarinet about ten times more than the rock group performed. And I know that our clarinet quartet was appreciated. Maybe not by all, but by enough.
Alexi
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