Author: Sneakers
Date: 2002-06-20 06:28
I live in an area with two small communities 28 miles apart from each other. Neither community really has enough musicians by itself to support a band or an orchestra, but together there are plenty to make good sized groups. The problems - there are some people that are unwilling to drive 28 miles to a rehearsal(even though these same people probably drive the same 28 miles to Wal-Mart at least once a week). One year the community band alternated rehearsals between the two towns, some of the members would only come when rehearsals or performances were in their town. This is one of the frustrations and I am not very sympathetic, since I work in the town that is 28 miles away from where I live and I know the drive is not that bad. I also drive 180 miles one way to take clarinet lessons.
So if anyone is still reading, then there is the band's general philosophy of "we just want to have fun". I like to have fun too, but I have more fun if I sound good. Generally, members of the band feel no obligation to come to rehearsals or to practice on their own. So far we have only had three clarinets show up for rehearsals for our July 4th concert and the other two have only shown up once and not on the same night. One of them indicated she would only be able to come to one other rehearsal before the concert. Oh, did I mention that she hasn't played since high school, has college age kids, and doesn't remember all her fingerings? My main concern is what the 3 of us will sound like together, especially tuning wise.
Then there is just the lack of cooperation among the various musical groups or individuals in the community. Some members of the band don't seem to think the orchestra should exist, hence the emphasis on we just want to have fun, because the orchestra tried to be more serious this last year. Then there is the brass quintet that scheduled their rehearsals on the same night as the orchestra rehearsals, even though at least two members of the quintet play in the orchestra. Then there is the director of a local youth string orchestra that tells her students that they are not allowed to play in any other groups.
Then the orchestra recently decided to get a new director, because all but one member of the brass section said they would not return, if she continued as the conductor. I am BTW the new chairman of the board of the orchestra and wishing that I had had the common sense to refuse the position. Everyone's varied opinions are driving me bonkers, not only do they not agree with each other, but I don't think they even agree with themselves, i.e., Joe doesn't agree with Joe.
So there must be a question somewhere right? Well, let me think of one. Should I right a letter to the editor of both communities and express my frustrations with the lack of cooperation amongst the musicians in the area and risk being alienated by everyone(BTW - everyone is related here, except me)?? Or, should I just take my frustrations out on the BB? And, aren't you glad you live in Chicago, New York, St. Louis, etc, etc.??
DID ANY OF YOU ACTUALLY MAKE IT TO THE END OF THIS?
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The Clarinet BBoard
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