Posted by anon on April 08, 2008 at 10:25:27:
In Reply to: another marching question- very small band- should I even do this? posted by anon. on April 08, 2008 at 08:32:54:
I teach in a small community also. Usually our parades are not long routes. You could have them march to a cadence only during the route and then play at the cemetary.
: I teach in a very small rural school. It is my first year at this school. My MS band ( grades 5-8 ) is only 14 kids.- only alto sax, clarinet, trumpet, fhorn, and bass clarinet and 3 percussion) Basically I am rebuilding after a teacher who had been here forever. The teachers here told me that before I came, they used to play "name that tune" at the concerts because they couldn't recognize the songs. Anyways, we are having a great year so far, I have challenged these kids more than ever- our concert stuff is great- I have received so many compliments about how well the kids are doing. only problem is, there is a parade on memorial day that they marched in every year.( this is the only marching event) I have no experience with marching whatsoever. I would love to just have the kids play at the ceremony at the graveyard- and not march. My question is, should I even have them march if there are only 14, or should I talk to my superintendent about just playing at the ceremony? I really feel that the kids would look and sound alot better if we could just play seated at the ceremony. I am the only music teacher here, and I want to concentrate on concert band. What should I do? Also- only one kid signed up for "marching band" at the beginning of the year!