[Menvi-discuss] Being a student leader in band

[Kaiti Shelton]

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
>>>
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>>
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-- 
Kaiti