Okay....This has really been burning my @$$ long enough!!!! I think there needs to be a little understanding on this topic!!!!
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "SHOWBAND" style of marching!!!!! There is Military and Corps!!!! THAT'S IT!!!! The term "SHOWBAND" came from a newspaper article written in the early 2000's by a white guy that described predominantly minority marching bands in the Houston area as a "Southern" or "Grambling" style of marching bands, referring to the fact that they spent too much time dancing and not enough time teaching or learning music. He went on to say how well the bands in the suburban areas that focused on music did at UIL, and it was no coincidence that all of these schools marched a Corps Style of marching, versus the bands that focused on marching band only, and he used the term "Showband" to describe what they were doing. It was not meant to be a good description!!!
Let me clarify!!!
The term Military marching describes just that....precise military movements that came directly from the military where you have "left and right flanks," "to the rears" and "about face" movements. The term Corps style comes from Drum and Bugle Corps groups that marched a military style of march, but broke away from the Traditional "Military" style of marching to do more abstract designs and more innovative "SHOWS" that these groups did when they came together to compete against one another in the sixties and seventies that would eventually become DCI!!!!
Military movements use both a "High" and "Low" knee lift in executing these movements. Drum and Bugle corps chose a "Low Knee Lift" exclusively instead of a "High Knee Lift" because it would allow for more of an adjusted step and cover more ground quickly and less negative sound impact than a high knee lift!!!
What baffles me is that someone would look at Jackson St., Southern, TxSu, and other groups that march 8 to 5 or 6 to 5 and say they are a "SHOWBAND" when this is COMPLETELY absurd!!!! THAT IS A MILITARY STYLE OF MARCHING!!!!!! It is precise with the movements that are described above!!!!!! If you are currently marching in band that uses this style of march, you are in a MILITARY style of marching system!!!!! Bands like Prairie View, Northfolk St., FAMU, and other bands that march to a specific spot in so many steps is marching a "CORPS" style of marching!!!!! They are just doing it with a "HIGH KNEE LIFT." If you are currently in a band that uses this method, you are marching in a "Corps" style system.
If you look at the word "SHOWBAND," to me it's what EVERY single band that performs does.....PUT ON A SHOW!!!!! Whether it's CORPS or MILITARY doesn't matter....it's a SHOW that the BAND performs!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I do understand that this rant will not stop the use of the derrogatory term "SHOWBAND." Much like the word "Nigger" has become a "Nigga" which is widely used by ALL races, it will continue to prevail....I had to get this off my chest because I felt like sooo many people use that term and had no idea why......
"Now you know, and knowing is half the battle." G.I. Joe!!!!!!!
Replies
I remember that article they even compared Yates to Katy HS band. It was bullshat. All marching bands originate from military because the band's would lead the soldiers to war during the 1800s.
You are right. Minority bands shouldn't accept that stigma nor should they accept mediocrity in their shows. I believe in whatever style you decide to use, do it at a high level. We are losing respect because of our quality. colleges included. Yall seen the SWAC Battle of the Bands.
and Music is Music, but once you break it down in to categories, they all don't fit in the same box..
So with that said, Marching band is Marching band, but when you separate them by all that makes each band works,. Bands can be broken down in to Many Sections & classes based on the concept of Marching, Drilling Choice of music.
Most people believe that "DCI" is a style of band, yet.. Drum Corp International is a League of band for "Independent Drum and Bugle Corps bands .. Those bands have a certain kind of performance concept that separates them from Major Pro White Institute bands & HBCU bands
otherwise Marching band is Marching band is Marching bands .. Its all about what you Prefer. Every band it Texis doesn't need UIL's approval to exist either..They cant tell a band how to perform nor what to play. That's how I feel.
..
There are also people who that there's no such thing as "Parade Season" they don't realize that in southeastern Louisiana the Mardi Gras celebration is for a whole Month. not just one day..and there are over 60 parades Each parade need at Least 15 bands to march, and the limit of Marching Organizations is 30. Each band is contracted to do at least 8 to 10 parades,...
But according to People who DON"T KNOW THIS.. they believe that we're just trying to ditch concert seasn when infact there are bands here who do perform in a concert festival which takes place in the same week mardi gras ends ...
I posted that to also say that .. A Marching band is a Marching band because they March..
I marched traditional style
Gotcha
I'm gonna start a Wiki i tell u
Here is the article that he is talking about
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Yates-band-moves-to...
i wouldn't say all bands are showbands because I don't agree with the term "showband" or "showstyle"....I'm saying that bands that march are ALL Marching bands with preference to either Military or Corps.....now I will agree that ALL BANDS put on a SHOW.....Mr. Darrell Williams was asked a question and his reply was taken out of context because he said, "No we're not doing a dance routine. Our show is more formal."....and the very next thing that was written was, "Yates' so-called "show style of marching...." and from there the term "Show style" became "showband" was coined....but when you read the article, you'll see what I mean about the derogatory he described inner city minority band programs in Houston at the time....
B.J. said:
The reason I wrote this post was to inform people on the differences in marching styles...not saying one is better than the other, just different, and being able to recognize them when they see them!!! Just because a band does a dance routine doesn't make them a "SHOWBAND." Hell, if that was the case, USC, Penn St., Wisconsin, Ohio St., Michigan, and on and on and on would be "SHOWBANDS" as well, but that label isn't put on them because they are majority white....it's just a label that seperates majority minority bands vs. majority caucasian bands....I teach my students what style of marching they see from other bands, and that there are no "SHOWBANDS"....just different styles they use when they march while putting on a Halftime or Competition/Exhibition SHOW!!!
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 7 Next