[Menvi-discuss] Being a student leader in band

[Julie McGinnity]

Hi Winona,

I think it's up to you.  How familiar are you with the visual things
like formations and marching?  How comfortable are you at leading your
section?  Do you think you have the confidence to lead them?

I have never played in a band, so I have no idea how marching bands
work.  I am sure that Kaiti or someone else who knows more about that
kind of thing can write on that aspect, but I believe you could do any
or both of those positions if you figured out some alternative
techniques.

I believe that if you can be the section leader, it will look really
good on your college applications, especially if you want to go into
music.  Maybe you could talk to the current section leader to learn
about some of the things you would need to do.  That way you could
draw up a plan for how you could make them happen.  I agree with the
friend who said that two leaders might get confusing.  If you did want
someone to help you out with the visual stuff, you would need someone
you trust very much.  Perhaps your director could simply assign an
assistant to you--someone who could tell you what things look like so
that you could use their observations and make the final decisions.

Like I said, I am not the expert, but hopefully some of this helps.

On 4/16/13, 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
>


-- 
Julie McG
National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16