<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div>Winona:<br><br></div> I am not visually impaired, but I taught a group of blind students to perform as a marching band. It had been many years since I did any marching band but a great deal of the visual work is rooted in basic skills and movements. As a visually impaired band student, your understanding of the visual aspect of the performance will be different and possibly more challenging to share with your peers, especially if the training time between shows is short. You did not state how much marching experience you had and I would believe that would play a great role in the visual instruction as well.<br>
<br></div>In general, I would encourage you to work towards the musical aspect of the band. It sounds like you would have many challenges that meet the goal you are reaching. The results of this experience would be very important should you wish to continue in music. Remember, that all instruction, whether visual or musical, moves in steps and stages. It will require you to plan out your instruction and require you to evaluate the results to make you better.<br>
<br></div>I commend your director for allowing you to undertake this opportunity and wish you well in this endeavor. When I was much younger (old guy), I tried out as a drum major one time and was very nervous that I would make mistakes and the performance would fail. Luckily, everything went well. The last thing I would say is relax and enjoy yourself, it will all work out. <br>
<br>Keep us informed about your results. <br><br></div>Rick Coates<br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 6:52 PM, Winona Brackett <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:trumpetqueenwb@gmail.com" target="_blank">trumpetqueenwb@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Hello,<br>
<br>
I am a junior (grade 11) in high school. I play trumpet and I'm in my<br>
school's marching and concert band. My band director is letting his<br>
students apply and audition for marching band leadership positions. I<br>
would like to apply for Trumpet Co-Section Leader and Brass Captain. I<br>
have asked my peers their opinions on how well I would do as a brass<br>
captain or co-section leader and I've gotten different answers:<br>
<br>
"You have the musical talent, you would be great."<br>
<br>
"I don't think Brass Captain would be the best thing for you.You need<br>
to be able to teach marching; control the entire brass section;<br>
conduct them; warm them up; and have sectionals.I don't think it would<br>
be a good idea to have two captains (a music captain and a visuals<br>
captain), it would be confusing and could end badly if the two<br>
disagreed with each other."<br>
<br>
Those quotes are for both positions. If I was brass captain or trumpet<br>
co-section leader, I would have to learn everyone's music ahead of<br>
time so I would be able to help the students in my section learn and<br>
memorize their parts. (Field show music and stand music). I know that<br>
would take a lot on my part. I want to push and challenge myself, but<br>
I also don't want to bite off more than I can chew.<br>
<br>
What are your thoughts? As a blind individual, how do you think I<br>
would teach visual block? (Marching basics, drill where they are in<br>
the formation). Or, should I be the music section leader and have<br>
another student be the visuals leader? I have talked to my band<br>
director about having two leaders, and he seems ok with it.<br>
<br>
All opinions are appreciated.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
Winona<br>
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