[Menvi-discuss] Being a student leader in band

Wed Apr 17 22:14:36 EDT 2013

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
> >>>
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>
> --
> Kaiti
>
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-- 
Kaiti