Posted by EmilienMusic on February 1, 2011 at 2:01pm
I read a lot of whats said on bandhead.org. I see what is said by most in all the forums. Personally, I don't like the way our music programs are headed. It seems most programs are turning into "Marching Band" State University. Where the Marching Band is the best ensemble in our music programs, which should NEVER be the case...In most cases when some other ensembles are posted, you can see the lack of enthusiasm in musicianship from the ensembles. Even when i was at JSU i noticed this happening.. Is it just me?
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outside of enthusiasm i don't know if agree with this one. Compare say the Marching Band to University Wind Ensemble
University Wind Ensemble is 1000 times more competitive. Example their may be 12-24 saxophones in the marching band but only 5 in the wind ensemble. Their may be 4-12 first saxophones in the marching band but only 1 or 2 in the wind ensemble.
At Bama State theirs only one Marching Bands but 2 or 3 concert bands ( Wind Ensemble and Syphonic band) and 2 Jazz bands ( gold and black) at least when i was their.
The Marching Band travels further the Smaller ensembles travel more
The Marching Band Practices 3 or 4 months out of the year. The other ensembles are year round.
Now its true that their will always be alot of students that come just for the marching band but those students probably wouldn't chair in one of the University ensembles any way.
I don't fault any student that comes to school and does only one semester of symphonic band and the rest just marching and playing in the pep band. If music isn't your major theres really no need to try out for anything else. You probably won't make the wind ensemble anyway.
Both the TSU wind ensemble and the Symphonic band were on a rise when I was there and when I left. Along with TSU Jazz orchestra, combo, latin combo, jazz choir, latin jazz orchestra. Not sure what's happening now. A good thing would simply be for the bd's to showcase the other ensembles more around campus and elsewhere. I'm sure Miller theatre here in Houston or even the Artery would be good venues to REALLY step out od the box...perform, COMPOSE and grow. And play more challenging pieces. If your wind ensemble or concert bands cannot play Trittico....fix that. Educate your students.....
And the class field trip works as well in college as it does in highschool. And I forgot to mention TSU chamber orchestra. Start teaching those other instruments...these things can be done by students themselves too...without need for university funds....
PS
Anyone in Houston wanna make a jazz cd? Hit me. Affordable. Put your horn where your mouth is, grow and get yourself out there. Start now.....
Replies
outside of enthusiasm i don't know if agree with this one. Compare say the Marching Band to University Wind Ensemble
University Wind Ensemble is 1000 times more competitive. Example their may be 12-24 saxophones in the marching band but only 5 in the wind ensemble. Their may be 4-12 first saxophones in the marching band but only 1 or 2 in the wind ensemble.
At Bama State theirs only one Marching Bands but 2 or 3 concert bands ( Wind Ensemble and Syphonic band) and 2 Jazz bands ( gold and black) at least when i was their.
The Marching Band travels further the Smaller ensembles travel more
The Marching Band Practices 3 or 4 months out of the year. The other ensembles are year round.
Now its true that their will always be alot of students that come just for the marching band but those students probably wouldn't chair in one of the University ensembles any way.
I don't fault any student that comes to school and does only one semester of symphonic band and the rest just marching and playing in the pep band. If music isn't your major theres really no need to try out for anything else. You probably won't make the wind ensemble anyway.
PS
Anyone in Houston wanna make a jazz cd? Hit me. Affordable. Put your horn where your mouth is, grow and get yourself out there. Start now.....