School Bands

there are too many reasons for why these can be good or bad, so it could lead to an interesting discussion. Think about discipline, standard, music type, conductor attitude etc.
Myself, I found some tedious and others reasonable, but I think they are a good idea.

Of course they are a good idea.
It teaches you disipline something you are going to need in university.
Do you really think you could rock up to a uni band and spend the whole time making stupid faces/noises? NO you can't. You need disipline.
Also what else in high school is going to give you a good exposure to many different performance opportunities and a chance to grow and expand as a musician.
The only thing that shitted me off about these bands was when people didn't take them seriously and wasted everyone's time (not pointing my finger). I also didn't like it when the teachers occasionally got a bit extreme with the power trips.

Then I guess we learnt nothing lmao. I really think that is a lose ended comment, because we all know when it is appropriate and when isn't (in a sense). It was fun at school, because despite mucking around, we got stuff done. Life is meant to be fun, and I have alot of good memories from that period of my life, so I regret nothing. Same if you're in a band with friends (that may or may not be at uni). Have fun and be serious. If you rock up as a stiff, then what's the point?

I agree. When we had people whinging about what songs we were to play and then try to intimidate the bands leaders with rudeness, then there is little room for improvement for the band as a whole.

LMAO i can feel the room about to ignite. Awesome topic.

Talking from experience in a school band, I think the 'stuffing around' was healthy and productive. The high school I went to didn't strive for excellence, as a University band does, but strived for fun and to keep the kids playing their instruments, ie not quitting. Our band leader messed around a bit, and we, as members messed around. The key is that when ready to play, we were absolutely on the ball, not 'serious' as in agressive in our playing, but fun loving and getting the best out of ourselves. There was an understanding between the leader and us, and when it came time to play we played to a very good standard.

We couldn't have tried to be a Uni band, as there were only about 4 people who were there to play well, and the others as part of their school course. That's fine with me, but if we put up a strict practice regime, people would just piss off. Casual players never want to practice, and that is the root of the bands problems, when put against a Uni band.

But, as I said, the band I was in never tried to be a Uni band. We had heaps of fun, and the marks of the players were successful, as well as the bands results.

wat band is this u are talking about as i am slightly confused...

SB

well, i can think of more than four people, that were there 2 play well...

The concert band(s) and year level bands were not exactly about exposure, they seem to be more focussed on getting people involved or committed to a regular practice routine. While I suppose it's good to play together, I think Small Ensemble lesson was a much better way to get people involved. Jazz Bands in particular really teach interaction and fun-- and these can be taken lightly or seriously.

I think in terms of growing and expanding as a musician, solo performance was far better than any band. It's actually something that is compulsory to work at, unlike bands which can be a bit of a joke. It's hard to work out stuff for everyone in a band when there are so many different standards and attitudes in playing.

so can I. But i think the number of people that didn't want to play in this band for fun was far greater than the number that actually enjoyed the rehearsals and performances.

You can't spend the WHOLE time making stupid faces and noises, but honestly, most of the Uni big band rehearsals aren't serious-- i know people who have got into Adelaide Uni Big Bands II and III, and both have said how relaxed the rehearsals are. Sometimes the conductor doesn't even rock up till an hour into rehearsing.

In another light, I dont think anyone could go into a Uni band and be 100% focussed and serious, all the time. It would make it harder to concentrate. Music isn't meant to be slavery, you're allowed a bit of fun, especially while soloing.

sorry but to me the stupidity was just purely that, stupidity. It was a waste of my time when we could have been playing and then going home so much earlier or perhaps actually being able to play some better music than the easy crap we had.. sorry but thats just how I feel. It wasn't constructive (sure it is fine to have a laugh EVERY NOW AND THEN) but it got to the point where we couldn't get anything done. It was just stupid.

Other than that, remember that our band consisted of a large number of younger students. The pieces may have seemed easier to more experienced players, but keep in mind that a few were struggling with the 'easy' pieces we were being provided with. Imagine if we had been given music that was impossible for them to play. The band would have gone no where.

I guess that's the way you see it. I'm sure the 3 of 4 students that were assessed in that band were happy with their perfect scores. I'm sure everyone felt great after playing a number of stellar performances. I'm sure the vast majority of that band will remember the good times that they had. However, with all this productivity and happiness, I guess we should have been serious and miserable.

Very true.

Would you rather a fun rehearsal till 5, or a serious one till 4.30?

I'd say that's a pretty big overstatement for that band. Another band, on occasions, was bordering on this. But this was by far the most fun, and I probably got more out of it than any other band.

With a lower ability level, school bands are never going to be at a very high level. But they provide an opportunity for players to improve, and to get an interest in music which is the most important part of producing good players. And, with the right attitude, they're a lot of fun.

And don't think that once you leave school, you've gotta be serious about your playing. Outside of school, I've had the opportunity to play with some great players, and almost all of them were having a laugh, just loving being in the band situation. At all levels, music should be played for enjoyment. I agree that there is a point when the music isn't important, and rehearsal is just a joke. But SB never crossed this line.

I would rather have had a fun rehearsal till 5.

I would hardly call Tom Terrific easy crap... The pieces we were playing were not that difficult technicly but they were still a challenge.

Perhaps you feel that way because you didn't get very much out of SB, splash you stayed 'aloof' of most of the juniors in the band. It might come as a suprise but they got more out of stage band than you know.


Perhaps you should take your comments to the 'Lets all have a whinge' topic, as that is all you are doing... WHINGING

I believe I am making a fair comment on how I! Yes ME how I feel about school bands.
I don't think it is fair comment to say that school bands can never reach a high level, I mean look at Marayatville (cannot spell) or schools like PAC etc.

I am not complaining about the rehearsal as a whole. There were some great rehearsals, don't get me wrong. Sometimes It was great but then there were rehearsals were I would have rather been at home because there wasn't much point being there. And I am not refering to SB.

I am all for having fun and being silly and whatever but when it comes down to it I would much prefer to have a serious rehearsal until 4:30.

Anyway can I actually answer the topic.
I think school bands are an excelent avenue for children/teenagers to get exposure to situations where they wouldn't normally have this chance.
They can be of a high standard, contrary to popular belief, it just takes a lot of hard work and I respect that many people may not want to put in 6 sectionals a week or even one.
I think that school bands CAN be very difficult though when students are playing at different levels. People are bound to be bored having to play something they find easy. That is what happened to me. I got frustrated by playing music that I had surpassed 4 years previously. This is bound to happen though in a small school and it is just too bad. On the other hand the small ensemble I played in was quite excelent at times. I got frustrated playing the same stuff but meh. I have good memories.

one of the things about playing with a band is that you have to adapt to the bands level. If you want to play stuff at your own level, you do solo. I can see where you're coming from though, i would hate to play piano in an amateur classical band. Actually, I played piano in year 8 band and was extremelly bored!
Although I think Potatos has a damn good point-- TT was definitely not easy-- i remember you saying how hard the solo was!
There's no me in band, and you cant even make I.