Post by tony on Jan 19, 2009 21:14:25 GMT -5
^^^^Ok let's stop right here and get a lil' education. Richmond Co. band students have not been exposed to the real marching band scene, i.e. "Sudler Trophy" winners. The Sudler Trophy is awarded to collegiate bands who have made a contribution the marching band scene and obtain special merit. "Marching" band began at the University of Illinois Marching Illini in 1907 at a game against the University of Chicago. ***side note, many directors who graduated from U of I have had the opportunity to receive this highly esteemed award. *** What does this have to do with you?
I'll break it down into three separate bands and styles.
1. Traditional Marching Band - knee lift (foot either flat or pointed) also know as the "high step" or rocking chair step. This knee lift is either 45 or 90 degrees depending on the band. Note: as long as this is uniform either 45 or 90 degrees add flash and horn swing to keep quality intonation. We'll use the University of Michigan (1982 Sudler recipient) for example. Below is a clip of their pregame show, you'll notice "Hail to the Victors" is Richmond's Fight Song. Also notice their horn swing and double-time-marching between songs.
www.youtube.com/v/4TVcKYpZrj0&hl=en&fs=1
2. Showbands - These bands use traditional marches, the same marching techniques, the horn swings vary even more between band to band but it's basically the bell of the horn is always over the knee in the air. They also have a pregame, then at halftime there's a fanfare, the drill (usually 3 uptempo songs), the concert selection (played standing still showcasing the flagcorps), and lastly the dance routine (usually about 4-5 up to date songs). Now the history of the showband goes back to 1946 at my school Florida A&M University (1985 Sudler). The director William P Foster (Emeritus) is responsible for 30 innovative marching techniques. Notice in the clip below, the pregame setup is still the same except we use the "death march" then double time march; unlike U of Mich who double time right into formation. We use the death march because it showcases the fact that we march 90 degrees, very few marching bands do that.
www.youtube.com/v/Pm7L5iv1fyQ&hl=en&fs=1
3. Corps Style - A drum and bugle corps or drum corps is a musical marching unit (similar to a marching band) consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Drum corps started back after WWI and in 1972 Drum Corps International (DCI) was formed. In order to get to your "set" or spot on the field during the drill, the roll step is used because it allows quick movement without sacrificing intonation. Typically a drum corp has more "sets" or formations than a regular marching band. Drum corps is very competitive and there are many camps within different divisions (band size) that start as early as winter. Below is a clip of Phantom Regiment (2008 DCI Champions). Notice the formations and the roll step.
www.youtube.com/v/I793YmY_qUw&hl=en&fs=1
I used some of the best bands in different styles of marching to come to this conclusion: RSHS is not a drum corps, neither is any other high school band. Having woodwinds alone basically disqualifies you. Also, the roll step is not marching, it's walking "with a technique." Moreover, and the thing that bothers me most, is the fact that corps styled high schools are getting away from playing marches. How can you be a marching band and not play marches? Marches are fundamental to any band, they reinforce your major scales, and expose you to a wider range of rythmic patterns. So much time is spent into doing the drill you guys only have one show for the whole year...the same exact one every friday night. It kills me how some corps style directors automatically think all showbands do is dance when a lot of those kids have been playing collegiate marches since sixth grade... not saying they are perfect but exposure and repitition over time does build a great band by high school. Lastly, the drum major is an auxillary, too much authority is given to him/her in corps style bands. The band director should be on the fifty directing while the drum major serves as a reference guide to tempo, directional movement, and to lead the band. I'm not downing DCI because I love it and MANY members of traditional and showbands have marched for them, but for MOST high schools it's not working.
I hope I cleared up the difference between the types of bands. You guys don't have to dance, or march differently, but you need to dicipline and educate yourselves. I would love to see Richmond look like U of Mich one day. Just because you were taught something does not mean it is the only knowledge out there.
I'll break it down into three separate bands and styles.
1. Traditional Marching Band - knee lift (foot either flat or pointed) also know as the "high step" or rocking chair step. This knee lift is either 45 or 90 degrees depending on the band. Note: as long as this is uniform either 45 or 90 degrees add flash and horn swing to keep quality intonation. We'll use the University of Michigan (1982 Sudler recipient) for example. Below is a clip of their pregame show, you'll notice "Hail to the Victors" is Richmond's Fight Song. Also notice their horn swing and double-time-marching between songs.
www.youtube.com/v/4TVcKYpZrj0&hl=en&fs=1
2. Showbands - These bands use traditional marches, the same marching techniques, the horn swings vary even more between band to band but it's basically the bell of the horn is always over the knee in the air. They also have a pregame, then at halftime there's a fanfare, the drill (usually 3 uptempo songs), the concert selection (played standing still showcasing the flagcorps), and lastly the dance routine (usually about 4-5 up to date songs). Now the history of the showband goes back to 1946 at my school Florida A&M University (1985 Sudler). The director William P Foster (Emeritus) is responsible for 30 innovative marching techniques. Notice in the clip below, the pregame setup is still the same except we use the "death march" then double time march; unlike U of Mich who double time right into formation. We use the death march because it showcases the fact that we march 90 degrees, very few marching bands do that.
www.youtube.com/v/Pm7L5iv1fyQ&hl=en&fs=1
3. Corps Style - A drum and bugle corps or drum corps is a musical marching unit (similar to a marching band) consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Drum corps started back after WWI and in 1972 Drum Corps International (DCI) was formed. In order to get to your "set" or spot on the field during the drill, the roll step is used because it allows quick movement without sacrificing intonation. Typically a drum corp has more "sets" or formations than a regular marching band. Drum corps is very competitive and there are many camps within different divisions (band size) that start as early as winter. Below is a clip of Phantom Regiment (2008 DCI Champions). Notice the formations and the roll step.
www.youtube.com/v/I793YmY_qUw&hl=en&fs=1
I used some of the best bands in different styles of marching to come to this conclusion: RSHS is not a drum corps, neither is any other high school band. Having woodwinds alone basically disqualifies you. Also, the roll step is not marching, it's walking "with a technique." Moreover, and the thing that bothers me most, is the fact that corps styled high schools are getting away from playing marches. How can you be a marching band and not play marches? Marches are fundamental to any band, they reinforce your major scales, and expose you to a wider range of rythmic patterns. So much time is spent into doing the drill you guys only have one show for the whole year...the same exact one every friday night. It kills me how some corps style directors automatically think all showbands do is dance when a lot of those kids have been playing collegiate marches since sixth grade... not saying they are perfect but exposure and repitition over time does build a great band by high school. Lastly, the drum major is an auxillary, too much authority is given to him/her in corps style bands. The band director should be on the fifty directing while the drum major serves as a reference guide to tempo, directional movement, and to lead the band. I'm not downing DCI because I love it and MANY members of traditional and showbands have marched for them, but for MOST high schools it's not working.
I hope I cleared up the difference between the types of bands. You guys don't have to dance, or march differently, but you need to dicipline and educate yourselves. I would love to see Richmond look like U of Mich one day. Just because you were taught something does not mean it is the only knowledge out there.