[Menvi-discuss] Being a student leader in band

Wed Apr 17 22:27:07 EDT 2013

In the 8th grade I was lead trumpet in both jazz band and concert band. 
Have fun with it. Don't let others talk you down because you can do 
this. I had to prove myself over and over to the trumpet section and 
several times I took away their sheet music from their stands to proove 
to them I knew all their parts and did it all by ear...I even had to ask 
the band director for music ahead of time, and even I had to demand, not 
just request nicely, but demand I needed it ahead of time so I could 
learn it, this was before I learned a little braille music after high 
school. Had a trumpeter who was and still is 17 years older than I, 
record the trumpet stuff for me and I practiced my butt off to show for 
it. So this is to encourage a fellow trumpeter, if you need any extra 
tips, let me know. I can also give free trumpet lessons via skype as 
well, it is all out there in the open, best wishes go out your way!
Make it a smooth jazzy transition and march in time girl!
Chela Robles fellow trumpeter and part of the cheerleading squad on this 
list

Teachers have a sacred task:
It is to give children the skills to understand the world and an expectation that the world is a trustworthy place; that it is full of light, and love, and music and that each student deserves--and will have--their own place in it and the chance to play their own song.
And, as much of these expectations are transmitted non-verbally—and in Chela’s case--out of sight…it is the voice and touch of a Teacher that sheds light on what the world can be.
Academics—and no one will ever change my mind on this—take a distant second place. —Dr. Bil Hawkins

Chela Robles a Nationally Certified person in Customer Service, certified by the National Retail Federation Foundation (NRF): http://www.nrffoundation.com/
E-mail: cdrobles693 at gmail.com
Windows Live Messenger: cdrobles693 at hotmail.com
Skype: jazzytrumpet
I volunteer for Bookshare, to find out more and to volunteer with us,visit: http://www.bookshare.org/
Need more space, come join dropbox and start with two gigs of free space and 500 Megabytes as is this is my referral link to you: http://db.tt/XpUTe0E

On 4/17/2013 7:14 PM, Kaiti Shelton wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Adding to what Miso said, every student leader, blind or sighted,
> struggles with something.  For some it's keeping cool and not letting
> frustration out at the kid who just hasn't been able to keep their
> horn up yet, and for others it's keeping the backbone to not crumble
> under situations when the section isn't respectful.  But, as Miso
> said, if you focus on leading by example that is probably the best way
> to go about it, and that will motivate others to do better too.  I
> don't usually like to say things like this because it makes us sound
> like we're more different than similar from our sighted bandmates, but
> if need be you can say, "If I can do it you can do it."  I've said it
> to two or three freshmen and if nothing else has motivated them that
> sometimes does.  Just do what you think is right and will help the
> most and lead by example.
>
> Miso, don't worry; I'm going into my seventh marching season and I
> still have to correct some things now and then.  It's one of those
> constant things you always have to work on and be aware of no matter
> how long you've been marching.  However, being hyper-aware has it's
> priviledges; my director has told me I have one of the most consistent
> 8 to 5 step sizes in the band, and he thinks it is because I have to
> be superaware of what I'm doing since I can't always use the visual
> landmarks on the field to line myself up.  So, sometimes we have
> advantages in this too and the extra awareness can pay off.   from our
>
> On 4/17/13, Miso Kwak <kwakmiso at aol.com> wrote:
>> Winona,
>> I am so excited for the opportunity you have.
>> I was one of 3 flute section leaders in my junior and senior year.
>> It was tough but I enjoyed it greatly.
>> My band is a competitive parade band.
>> In a parade competition, every small detail of the visuals like step
>> size, carriage, horn angle were vital to bring score up, so I almost
>> never touched on visuals.
>> In fact, I was still correcting my posture and carriage until my senior
>> year season.
>> What I did as a section leader was musical aspects, especially helping
>> struggling freshmen individually or in a small group setting. (The
>> flute section was about 30-40)
>> There were times I felt left out and/or incompetent about myself as a
>> leader in marching band.
>> What my band director constantly told me is "You are a great leader
>> because you make people around better. You motivate others to work
>> harder."
>> I didn't take this seriously and stil don't understand its deepest
>> meaning.
>> However, I am more than grateful for the level of trust my director has
>> in me and the experiences I had being involved in marching band.
>> The bottom line is, whatever the position may be, there will be
>> difficulties: difficulties anybody will face and difficulties that come
>> because of being blind.
>> Don't focus too much on what you can't do. If you always keep in mind
>> "leading by example" and show others you do your best because you love
>> what you are doing that will make you a great leader for others,
>> especially freshman.
>> Best wishes and feel free to e-mail me off list.
>> Miso
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Rick Coates <coatesncr at gmail.com>
>> To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy
>> <menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
>> Sent: Wed, Apr 17, 2013 5:51 pm
>> Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Being a student leader in band
>>
>> Your three years of experience should give you the experience you
>> need.  I would recommend that you approach your director asking to
>> write a show and have him critique it.  Use the information you learn
>> as a step off to your future and keep trying.  Good luck with your
>> audition.  Any more help let me know.  Rick
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Apr 17, 2013 at 4:38 PM, Kaiti Shelton
>> <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I think for now that sticking with the musical stuff would be good,
>> but as you go through the season looking for ways to articulate visual
>> concepts to the sighted band members might be good.  I know for music
>> ed majors in my school's music department there is a class called
>> "Marching Band Pedigogy," for all the instrumental band people who
>> would be possible marching band directors.  If you do go into ed with
>> the intention of becoming a band director that might be something you
>> have to take, so coming up with modifications for teaching any visual
>> material would really help.
>>
>> On 4/17/13, Winona Brackett <trumpetqueenwb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > 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
>> >>>
>> >>> Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to
>> unsubscribe,
>> >>> change your delivery, or set any other options available
>> to you, please
>> >>> view the list information page below.  Should you have any
>> questions,
>> >>> please contact the owner of the list.
>> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >>> Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> >>> Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> >>> http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >
>> > Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to
>> unsubscribe, change
>> > your delivery, or set any other options available to you, please
>> view the
>> > list information page below.  Should you have any questions,
>> please contact
>> > the owner of the list.
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> > Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> > http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Kaiti
>>
>> Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe,
>> change your delivery, or set any other options available to you, please
>> view the list information page below.  Should you have any questions,
>> please contact the owner of the list.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.orgThank you for
>> subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe, change your
>> delivery, or set any other options available to you, please view the
>> list information page below.  Should you have any questions, please
>> contact the owner of the list.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe, change
>> your delivery, or set any other options available to you, please view the
>> list information page below.  Should you have any questions, please contact
>> the owner of the list.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>>
>