You can replace the pics with piccolo trumpets if all you want is a higher voice (that said, the pics are an octave higher). The issue is that you cannot replace the pics contribution to the overall timbre (i.e. michigan sound that no one seems to be able to hear).
It's not really a fair comparison. The head coaching job at Michigan is the pinnical of a career. For years, the marching band director's position was Associate Director of Bands. It attracted the best and brightest talent, but these guys did Marching Band, all athletic bands, Concert Band and headed up the Youth Band program. Once they had an opportunity to work at Michigan, they used tose skills to be successful Director of Bands and other colleges. Its just not the same thing. I would like to see continuity as well, but if you want to see that, start donating to the Elbel Club so we can get an endowed chair.
I'm not in the band. I was in the band in the late 90's and early 2000's. I was trumpet section leader, featured soloist and graduated with a degree from the School of Music in trumpet Performance.
why don't you tell me more about air support then I will tell you how to build a bridge.
Dear Genius,
The reason music memorization is important is because if more people memorize the music, more people are playing. Regarding your ideas on the director, I'm really not sure what to say. In my experience the conductor directs the music which does involve dynamics. Additionally, the conductor is an educator, and in a lot of cases is literally teaching engineers and history majors how to use proper air support on their instruments. This is a major contributing factor to sound production.
Also, I respect what Revelli and Cavender did, but I would not want my band to sound like they did on the field. It is also important to remember that most of their recordings are loaded up with members of the Symphony Band.
oh, I stand corrected.
Say, since you are so smart, how would you define the term "musicality?" Can you think of any ways musicality could actually make the band louder? Because I can. Because I know what I am talking about. Which you do not.
Terry,
Western sounds ok, but they look like garbage. Trust me, if you require Music Ed people to do band, they will half-ass it. Revelli's band required 2 years from music ed, and that worked out well, but that was because of Revelli, not because of the music majors. Also, there was a major shift in the school's perspective on the mmb once Reynolds retired, and i don't think it will ever go back (and really nor should it, its a performance school and it requires a high performance standard from Ed guys).
I like your other ideas. I would add playing in tune and getting the band to be rock solid on music memorization to the list of things to do, but volume isn't a major problem. If the band is on the press box side, they will always sound quieter to the students and inter-30 yard line blue hairs. MMB uses primarily uses bell front instruments, its a fact of life.
you said:
"What's the point of a marching band? To be audible outside in a stadium of 110,000. If you want musicality, there are a dozen other bands on campus you can join. Scott Boerma and his superiors are completely missing the point..."
This statement right here makes it pretty evident you probably don't know enough about this to be expressing a strong opinion.
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and
The reason music
also playing musically
Say,
-MMB Trumpet (97-02)