[Menvi-discuss] Being a student leader in band

[Winona Brackett]

I have been in marching band for three years. I understand the basics
of marching (the position your feet should be in when marching forward
or backwards, sliding and etc.),  but I don't know that I am
comfortable enough to teach it. I feel that I would be nervous and
make to many mistakes.

I would like to do music in college. I'm thinking about music
education or trumpet performance.

Winona

On 4/17/13, Rick Coates <coatesncr at gmail.com> wrote:
> Winona:
>
>  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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> Keep us informed about your results.
>
> Rick Coates
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 6:52 PM, Winona Brackett
> <trumpetqueenwb at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I am a junior (grade 11) in high school. I play trumpet and I'm in my
>> school's marching and concert band. My band director is letting his
>> students apply and audition for marching band leadership positions. I
>> would like to apply for Trumpet Co-Section Leader and Brass Captain. I
>> have asked my peers their opinions on how well I would do as a brass
>> captain or co-section leader and I've gotten different answers:
>>
>> "You have the musical talent, you would be great."
>>
>> "I don't think Brass Captain would be the best thing for you.You need
>> to be able to teach marching; control the entire brass section;
>> conduct them; warm them up; and have sectionals.I don't think it would
>> be a good idea to have two captains (a music captain and a visuals
>> captain), it would be confusing and could end badly if the two
>> disagreed with each other."
>>
>> Those quotes are for both positions. If I was brass captain or trumpet
>> co-section leader, I would have to learn everyone's music ahead of
>> time so I would be able to help the students in my section learn and
>> memorize their parts. (Field show music and stand music). I know that
>> would take a lot on my part. I want to push and challenge myself, but
>> I also don't want to bite off more than I can chew.
>>
>> What are your thoughts? As a blind individual, how do you think I
>> would teach visual block? (Marching basics, drill where they are in
>> the formation). Or, should I be the music section leader and have
>> another student be the visuals leader? I have talked to my band
>> director about having two leaders, and he seems ok with it.
>>
>> All opinions are appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Winona
>>
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>