This year, I saw quite a few bands do an extremely easy fieldshow and dance for 10 minutes and win not only their division, but also grand champion. I personally don't agree with this. I understand that if a band doesn't make a mistake then you can't count off, but I think degree of difficulty in a field show should be judged as well. Otherwise, the quality of all shows will deteriorate as more directors will water down their shows to eliminate problems. I'm sure some directors have their pride and will continue to do two drills, but am I the only one who thinks one simple drill, concert formation and a whole lot of dancing shouldn't equal grand champion or even a 1st place in that respective division? Please tell me what you think.
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We blow off the second drill RIGHT after the first one, and sometimes get lucky enough to do three different drills a show..!
But the rest is optional depending on crowd(Dance routines, flags, danceline, etc) we could just march off the feild and call it a great show!!
Well, all of the competitions that I have participated in or watched there was points for complexity. Along with the general effect, dance feature, etc, you were also "graded" on the complexity of the show itself.
I guess what I'm saying is that even though the dances and stuff are a big part of the show, it should have some difficulty when it come to the actual drill. Now, I don't think that the drill should be any harder than the players can handle.
This is a good thread. I agree with some of the comments but I disagree with some. One thing I notice about band competitions is the repetition of songs, drills and dance routines. It seems like every drill is about 80% the same and the dance routines are in that same category.
As far as difficulty, Im with Prof. Brown on that one. Its up to the director and arranger to make his students shine regardless of their playing level. I often write certain parts low so the beginners can play and I make sure the section who can play the melody is the one who has it. Not saying that we shouldnt challenge them. Drilling is another thing. I have seen some nice bands attempt to do a drill and get lost all in the formation. It defeated the entire purpose of that drill.
Now as far as drilling, all bands dont do two drills. I dont. My band is Neo-Corps so our show doesnt stop until the end. We dont even march on or off the field. We begin and end in sets. Also we do a percussion feature and drill rather than a concert formation. I just think the audiences get bored with the same ole same ole.
So what do you guys think makes a difficult field show. And what do you think about bands who imitate others yet look a mess?
Now, I do understand the concept of performing within the means of your band. Thats just good sense. But what I'm saying is how are some of these bands that come from the sidelines and do the simplest drill imaginable actually winning when other bands are doing two drills and sounding pretty good. I don't have anything against those bands, but I just don't know. I do agree with what all of you are saying. You make good points, but I guess I should have added this part to the introduction of the thread. I've seen some big bands do these simple drills while smaller bands do multiple drills, but no small band won an overall grand champion trophy this year while up against a bigger band. Maybe it wasn't deserved in some instances, but I did see some painfully simple big band shows win over smaller bands that did complex shows and executed pretty well. Maybe thats how I should have worded this thread.
I have never heard of 'Neo-Corp' before...this is new , but I understand cuz before long all the schools down here will be doing more or less the same since we all got to go to UIL..
But you do have to play to your students strength though...which ever style you march
Goldy_1914 said:
This is a good thread. I agree with some of the comments but I disagree with some. One thing I notice about band competitions is the repetition of songs, drills and dance routines. It seems like every drill is about 80% the same and the dance routines are in that same category.
As far as difficulty, Im with Prof. Brown on that one. Its up to the director and arranger to make his students shine regardless of their playing level. I often write certain parts low so the beginners can play and I make sure the section who can play the melody is the one who has it. Not saying that we shouldnt challenge them. Drilling is another thing. I have seen some nice bands attempt to do a drill and get lost all in the formation. It defeated the entire purpose of that drill.
Now as far as drilling, all bands dont do two drills. I dont. My band is Neo-Corps so our show doesnt stop until the end. We dont even march on or off the field. We begin and end in sets. Also we do a percussion feature and drill rather than a concert formation. I just think the audiences get bored with the same ole same ole.
So what do you guys think makes a difficult field show. And what do you think about bands who imitate others yet look a mess?
Ease and Precision vs. Difficulty level
This year, I saw quite a few bands do an extremely easy fieldshow and dance for 10 minutes and win not only their division, but also grand champion. …
Replies
But the rest is optional depending on crowd(Dance routines, flags, danceline, etc) we could just march off the feild and call it a great show!!
I guess what I'm saying is that even though the dances and stuff are a big part of the show, it should have some difficulty when it come to the actual drill. Now, I don't think that the drill should be any harder than the players can handle.
As far as difficulty, Im with Prof. Brown on that one. Its up to the director and arranger to make his students shine regardless of their playing level. I often write certain parts low so the beginners can play and I make sure the section who can play the melody is the one who has it. Not saying that we shouldnt challenge them. Drilling is another thing. I have seen some nice bands attempt to do a drill and get lost all in the formation. It defeated the entire purpose of that drill.
Now as far as drilling, all bands dont do two drills. I dont. My band is Neo-Corps so our show doesnt stop until the end. We dont even march on or off the field. We begin and end in sets. Also we do a percussion feature and drill rather than a concert formation. I just think the audiences get bored with the same ole same ole.
So what do you guys think makes a difficult field show. And what do you think about bands who imitate others yet look a mess?
But you do have to play to your students strength though...which ever style you march
Goldy_1914 said:
Goldy_1914 said: