Thursday, September 27, 2007
This Weekend!
Be ready for anything! The scores all around the state are all over the place as you can see if you check out the NYSFBC.org website. Different judging panels have different opinions and different tastes in what they are looking for. Our band is amazing. Last night was the best rehearsal ever. The band is bigger and better than ever. Everyone on the Island sees the tremendous growth in size and quality of the Roslyn Marching Band. Remember the subjectivity of our activity! I cannot stress enough however that the scores can have us at the top or the bottom. If the scores do turn out the way we want them, great, if they don't, then there's always next week. Roslyn and Mineola must have a great showing this weekend to keep us both competetive with the upstate bands in our class. As I told the band this week, we want to win the class. However, getting close to a score of 80 is more important than winning right now. This is a marathon, which ends at the Dome on October 28th. Always........Aim high, be patient.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
The Subjectivity of Judged Scoring
One week we're on top, the next week on the bottom. That is what happens with the subjectivity of judging. OK, this week we didn't compete, and the shows upstate had very few national class bands in them, which tend to keep the scores down in the other classes. But, as you can see, all of the upstate bands this weekend went over the Roslyn and Mineola scores. Check out the nysfbc.org website.
With this activity, the judges decide absolutely everything, based on a rubric. It is very much like figure skating or judged olympic events.
Here is the writeup about judging that I put on the show sheets every year, it explains in detail how subjectivity works with marching bands.
Competing Marching Bands- How We get Judged
There are approximately fifteen bands that compete on Long Island. Roslyn is the most recent addition to this group (it’s our 6th season). The other fourteen have been in this competition circuit for 20 to 40 years. Competitive bands can perform 30 to 50 forms (this year we have 43, up from 25 last year), are constantly moving, with memorized music (no lyres), and march in synchronized perfection (or as close as is possible). Non competition bands perform their shows during halftime at home football games and at the Newsday Festival. They tend to perform between 3 and 15 pictures (abstract forms).
Bands are adjudicated by four to six judges on musical performance, visual performance (flags & marching), drilldesign (abstract forms fitting the music), music arrangements, and most importantly, “general effect”.
What the audience usually responds to is “general effect”. It only accounts for about 40% of the score and that is why people don’t always agree with the judges’ results. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the judging, you will find that marching is an intense activity that you will love!
Each set of judges give totally different scores, be ready for anything!
A band’s score can fluctuate by as much as ten points at each show, and each year is completely independent of prior years. Judges are all different. Each set has different tastes in music, and different ideas about the concept and quality of each show. A band can be in the top spot one week and then place in the middle to lower end of the competition the next. Keep it all in perspective. If we win,"Great". If we don't, there is always next week. Aim high, be patient. We will become one of the top bands on the Island. Remember, don't complain about the system of judging, in a few years these same judges will crown us champions.
Many marching band people say that the only way you can tell who is the best is to wait until the dome. Anything can happen at championships. Our band is doing great and we know it. We must realize that at all times and feel great from within, regardless of what the judges think. However, it is still "fun to win."
With this activity, the judges decide absolutely everything, based on a rubric. It is very much like figure skating or judged olympic events.
Here is the writeup about judging that I put on the show sheets every year, it explains in detail how subjectivity works with marching bands.
Competing Marching Bands- How We get Judged
There are approximately fifteen bands that compete on Long Island. Roslyn is the most recent addition to this group (it’s our 6th season). The other fourteen have been in this competition circuit for 20 to 40 years. Competitive bands can perform 30 to 50 forms (this year we have 43, up from 25 last year), are constantly moving, with memorized music (no lyres), and march in synchronized perfection (or as close as is possible). Non competition bands perform their shows during halftime at home football games and at the Newsday Festival. They tend to perform between 3 and 15 pictures (abstract forms).
Bands are adjudicated by four to six judges on musical performance, visual performance (flags & marching), drilldesign (abstract forms fitting the music), music arrangements, and most importantly, “general effect”.
What the audience usually responds to is “general effect”. It only accounts for about 40% of the score and that is why people don’t always agree with the judges’ results. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the judging, you will find that marching is an intense activity that you will love!
Each set of judges give totally different scores, be ready for anything!
A band’s score can fluctuate by as much as ten points at each show, and each year is completely independent of prior years. Judges are all different. Each set has different tastes in music, and different ideas about the concept and quality of each show. A band can be in the top spot one week and then place in the middle to lower end of the competition the next. Keep it all in perspective. If we win,"Great". If we don't, there is always next week. Aim high, be patient. We will become one of the top bands on the Island. Remember, don't complain about the system of judging, in a few years these same judges will crown us champions.
Many marching band people say that the only way you can tell who is the best is to wait until the dome. Anything can happen at championships. Our band is doing great and we know it. We must realize that at all times and feel great from within, regardless of what the judges think. However, it is still "fun to win."
Friday, September 21, 2007
Homecoming
What Happened?
I don't know what happened, how it happened, or why it happened. Yesterday morning, I received numerous phone calls, e-mails, and questions about why we were not doing the homecoming parade and game. Apparently, someone (I have no idea who) told a group of parents that we had a competition and were not participating in the homecoming. They said that we are a competition band, needed the competition and were not going to homecoming. Nothing could be more inaccurate. Homecoming is a major priority, the parade, the game, and everything associated with it. With every fiber in my being, we would be at homecoming. I never in any way, shape, or form, indicated that we were missing any of the homecoming activities. I don't know how this rumor got started and was propelled around. The website roslynband.com has the homecoming parade and game down and always has.
Breakdown of the events.
Just before band camp, I was told that the homecoming had been moved to October 13th. I immediately contacted Walt Whitman to find out when their show was. Upon receiving notification that the show was at night, I decided that we would remain in that show since it didn't conflict at all with our new homecoming parade and game. Had the competition been in the afternoon, we would have pulled out immediately. It is a no-brainer. In fact, in 25 years of running marching bands, I have never even scheduled a competition on Homecoming Weekend. The only reason I left this one in was because we had committed to doing it, and it didn't conflict at all. In addition we have enough competitions to qualify for the dome without that competition. That was another rumor that I heard, that we needed that competition to qualify. Once again, misinformation.
Marching Band and the Community.
Last night, after the BOE meeting I heard that another rumor was circulating that the band does not support the community. This is the third time I heard this comment in two days. What band are they talking about? We have done all the home games, pep bands, community parades and events, as well as anything we have been asked to do. We had planned on doing the "Friday Night Lights" this year. Last year we couldn't get it together in a week, but we added it to our schedule for this year and from now on we will proudly do it. The community is the most important entity to our school. The Roslyn Marching Band has continued to support the sports program and the entire school district whenever called upon. I don't know how this rumor got started either.
Read the Website.
Any of these rumors could have been totally banished by simply reading the roslynband.com website. We are getting 150 hits a day, so somebody is definitely reading it.
I don't know what happened, how it happened, or why it happened. Yesterday morning, I received numerous phone calls, e-mails, and questions about why we were not doing the homecoming parade and game. Apparently, someone (I have no idea who) told a group of parents that we had a competition and were not participating in the homecoming. They said that we are a competition band, needed the competition and were not going to homecoming. Nothing could be more inaccurate. Homecoming is a major priority, the parade, the game, and everything associated with it. With every fiber in my being, we would be at homecoming. I never in any way, shape, or form, indicated that we were missing any of the homecoming activities. I don't know how this rumor got started and was propelled around. The website roslynband.com has the homecoming parade and game down and always has.
Breakdown of the events.
Just before band camp, I was told that the homecoming had been moved to October 13th. I immediately contacted Walt Whitman to find out when their show was. Upon receiving notification that the show was at night, I decided that we would remain in that show since it didn't conflict at all with our new homecoming parade and game. Had the competition been in the afternoon, we would have pulled out immediately. It is a no-brainer. In fact, in 25 years of running marching bands, I have never even scheduled a competition on Homecoming Weekend. The only reason I left this one in was because we had committed to doing it, and it didn't conflict at all. In addition we have enough competitions to qualify for the dome without that competition. That was another rumor that I heard, that we needed that competition to qualify. Once again, misinformation.
Marching Band and the Community.
Last night, after the BOE meeting I heard that another rumor was circulating that the band does not support the community. This is the third time I heard this comment in two days. What band are they talking about? We have done all the home games, pep bands, community parades and events, as well as anything we have been asked to do. We had planned on doing the "Friday Night Lights" this year. Last year we couldn't get it together in a week, but we added it to our schedule for this year and from now on we will proudly do it. The community is the most important entity to our school. The Roslyn Marching Band has continued to support the sports program and the entire school district whenever called upon. I don't know how this rumor got started either.
Read the Website.
Any of these rumors could have been totally banished by simply reading the roslynband.com website. We are getting 150 hits a day, so somebody is definitely reading it.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Division Ave Show Wrap Up
The Recap
What can I say! We did it! We accomplished our goal for the week, to win the class and to beat bands we never beat before. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather for a marching band competition and it ended up great for us, scoring above 70 at our first show. I can remember a few years ago where we wouldn't even touch that number until the end of the season. I am so proud of all of you! The colorguard stepped up and got it done, the impacts were more powerful than last week, and the confidence was way up! Great Job Roslyn!!!
The Scoop
Now to the nitty gritty! We had five breakdowns, that is, places where the band was not together. That is definitely a major issue. Fortunately, our General Effect Visual and General Effect Music scores were high enough to keep us in the first position. In terms of the other 4 judges, we were behind in Field music, Ensemble music, Field Visual, and tied in ensemble visual. In order to maintain our status we must once again, keep practicing. The field music judge told me in the post contest meeting that people were coming in and out, playing some portions and not playing other portions of the music. This is due to people not having their parts down. Everyone must practice, I cannot stress this enough! As far as the breakdowns are concerned, once again, band members do not know their parts well enough. Also, the band members must understand their responsibilities playing their music, marching, and keeping together. The center of pulse must be shifted as we discussed in rehearsals. Right now, our show is off at times which is not acceptable as we get into the season. We caught a pass on it this week but if we don't lock up our tempos and stay together, our 1st place position will be short lived! We will be working exclusively on locking up our tempos this week. And now onto the last thing, the volume. For a band our size, we should be twice as loud as we were today. It was better than last week but still not rivetting! We must do that without overblowing. Once again, parts not down well enough. Let's practice and get these problems taken care of! The judges loved the show, the concept, the energy, and understood everything we were trying to convey to the audience. We just need to be cleaner, tighter, and more musical. All these things will be reached through individual practice at home.
The Weekly Goal
Our goal is not only to maintain our lead on Long Island Small School 2 class but to create a spread underneath us. We want to get better, cleaner, more powerful, and more together, thus generating a more exciting show. We want to win the class at the dome, pure and simple. Our goal is lofty, but we can do it. This week we just took a step closer to becoming Champions! After this weekend, we are a force to be reckoned with, and everyone on Long Island knows it! Let's push ahead!
What can I say! We did it! We accomplished our goal for the week, to win the class and to beat bands we never beat before. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather for a marching band competition and it ended up great for us, scoring above 70 at our first show. I can remember a few years ago where we wouldn't even touch that number until the end of the season. I am so proud of all of you! The colorguard stepped up and got it done, the impacts were more powerful than last week, and the confidence was way up! Great Job Roslyn!!!
The Scoop
Now to the nitty gritty! We had five breakdowns, that is, places where the band was not together. That is definitely a major issue. Fortunately, our General Effect Visual and General Effect Music scores were high enough to keep us in the first position. In terms of the other 4 judges, we were behind in Field music, Ensemble music, Field Visual, and tied in ensemble visual. In order to maintain our status we must once again, keep practicing. The field music judge told me in the post contest meeting that people were coming in and out, playing some portions and not playing other portions of the music. This is due to people not having their parts down. Everyone must practice, I cannot stress this enough! As far as the breakdowns are concerned, once again, band members do not know their parts well enough. Also, the band members must understand their responsibilities playing their music, marching, and keeping together. The center of pulse must be shifted as we discussed in rehearsals. Right now, our show is off at times which is not acceptable as we get into the season. We caught a pass on it this week but if we don't lock up our tempos and stay together, our 1st place position will be short lived! We will be working exclusively on locking up our tempos this week. And now onto the last thing, the volume. For a band our size, we should be twice as loud as we were today. It was better than last week but still not rivetting! We must do that without overblowing. Once again, parts not down well enough. Let's practice and get these problems taken care of! The judges loved the show, the concept, the energy, and understood everything we were trying to convey to the audience. We just need to be cleaner, tighter, and more musical. All these things will be reached through individual practice at home.
The Weekly Goal
Our goal is not only to maintain our lead on Long Island Small School 2 class but to create a spread underneath us. We want to get better, cleaner, more powerful, and more together, thus generating a more exciting show. We want to win the class at the dome, pure and simple. Our goal is lofty, but we can do it. This week we just took a step closer to becoming Champions! After this weekend, we are a force to be reckoned with, and everyone on Long Island knows it! Let's push ahead!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Romp & Chomp Wrap Up
The Recap
Great job yesterday, the band did an incredible job! It was amazing how our parents and band members mingled, played together, and bonded. A very special relationship between the bands has been forged and will surely keep us friends throughout the season. The “Roslyn Band Fans” and “Mineola Music Parents” did a fantastic job feeding everyone and it was probably one of the nicest days of the year for all involved. Thanks to everyone for making it a special, beautiful day.
The Scoop
As you can see, Mineola is a very strong band and will be very hard to beat. It can be done however. Their show is smooth, they have their music down, and their special teams, the drumline and colorguard are incredible. We have come a long way each year and are totally up to the challenge! They are one of the dynasties of Long Island. To beat them it must be a clean win. Judges will not call it if it is close. Yesterday our show was great and better than ever for our band program. That is a fact. We are growing in leaps and bounds. I am so proud of what we are accomplishing. That being said, we cannot simply sit on our accomplishments. We need to press forward …….so here it is. For a band our size, the impacts and pure volume should be 4 times louder than it was yesterday. One famous college professor told a story about how he knew every note in the show in the "Marching Illini" band his freshman year. He was an advanced player who took music very seriously and had the show memorized cold. When he walked into the stadium however, he was overcome. Worrying about “hitting the right spots” in the big stadium, he didn’t play one note! It is more embarrassing to bump into someone than it is to not play. I think this is what happened to us yesterday. To me, as the director, it sounded like two thirds of the band did not play a note. Whether it is due to freezing up, or not having the music down, we need to get more volume and impact on all the high points of the show. Then there are transitions, they were unsteady and tentative. We need to watch the drum majors on all entrances and transitions. Confidence with entrances must be embraced. We must sell ourselves. In general, the show was flat. I am not comparing us to what we have done in the past, in that respect we are breaking new ground. I am talking about how the judges will read our show. Judges who expect perfection and to be moved, musically and visually.
The Weekly Goal
At the first competitive show this coming Sunday at Divison Ave., we must beat bands we have never beat before. We must, together with Mineola, make the judges score Small School 2 higher than the Large School 3 bands if possible. We must try to get our parts down and routines down individually so that together we can put it all together and come out with an incredible season opener! We must blow the judges and audiences out of the stands! Roslyn is famous for peaking just right, at the end of the season after our big showing at the dome last year. The first scores we get are important. It is our first impression. We only get one shot at that. We need to try with every ounce in our bodies, to take first in our class this week. That is our goal!
Great job yesterday, the band did an incredible job! It was amazing how our parents and band members mingled, played together, and bonded. A very special relationship between the bands has been forged and will surely keep us friends throughout the season. The “Roslyn Band Fans” and “Mineola Music Parents” did a fantastic job feeding everyone and it was probably one of the nicest days of the year for all involved. Thanks to everyone for making it a special, beautiful day.
The Scoop
As you can see, Mineola is a very strong band and will be very hard to beat. It can be done however. Their show is smooth, they have their music down, and their special teams, the drumline and colorguard are incredible. We have come a long way each year and are totally up to the challenge! They are one of the dynasties of Long Island. To beat them it must be a clean win. Judges will not call it if it is close. Yesterday our show was great and better than ever for our band program. That is a fact. We are growing in leaps and bounds. I am so proud of what we are accomplishing. That being said, we cannot simply sit on our accomplishments. We need to press forward …….so here it is. For a band our size, the impacts and pure volume should be 4 times louder than it was yesterday. One famous college professor told a story about how he knew every note in the show in the "Marching Illini" band his freshman year. He was an advanced player who took music very seriously and had the show memorized cold. When he walked into the stadium however, he was overcome. Worrying about “hitting the right spots” in the big stadium, he didn’t play one note! It is more embarrassing to bump into someone than it is to not play. I think this is what happened to us yesterday. To me, as the director, it sounded like two thirds of the band did not play a note. Whether it is due to freezing up, or not having the music down, we need to get more volume and impact on all the high points of the show. Then there are transitions, they were unsteady and tentative. We need to watch the drum majors on all entrances and transitions. Confidence with entrances must be embraced. We must sell ourselves. In general, the show was flat. I am not comparing us to what we have done in the past, in that respect we are breaking new ground. I am talking about how the judges will read our show. Judges who expect perfection and to be moved, musically and visually.
The Weekly Goal
At the first competitive show this coming Sunday at Divison Ave., we must beat bands we have never beat before. We must, together with Mineola, make the judges score Small School 2 higher than the Large School 3 bands if possible. We must try to get our parts down and routines down individually so that together we can put it all together and come out with an incredible season opener! We must blow the judges and audiences out of the stands! Roslyn is famous for peaking just right, at the end of the season after our big showing at the dome last year. The first scores we get are important. It is our first impression. We only get one shot at that. We need to try with every ounce in our bodies, to take first in our class this week. That is our goal!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Band Camp Wrap Up!
Band Camp went amazingly well! We sound great, look great, and are in great spirits. Friday and Saturday were very hot. We hydrated every 20 minutes during the rehearsal with the famous "gush and go." We are continuing to "build a dynasty" which will be very obvious to everyone when we open up our new season. The student leaders were amazing! The outstanding section award went to the battery percussion and the most improved section went to the colorguard, who are now moving more than ever, covering more of the field than they did in past years. The sound effects are great as well. I, as the director, am so proud of everyone involved in the program, from the staff, to the parents, and the most important of all, the band members. The drum majors were outstanding, the officers were incredible, and the freshman class is marching and playing like they are upper classmen. We cannot wait to show you what we have on Saturday, September 8th at Mineola. We will be performing with Mineola for all the parents in what we are calling the "Pre-Comp Romp and Chomp". We will perform for the parents and each other in a casual setting, wearing jeans and t-shirts and then eat together. It is a great way for us to bond with the other band that is in our class on Long Island this year. Thanks to everyone for a great band camp!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Band Camp, Day Six
Summer returned to camp echo today. All week long we had cool weather, considering it is the summer. Today it became hot, sunny and it was more difficult to get through the rehearsals outside. We finished the drill for the show in the morning, and started doing run throughs in the afternoon. The band looks and sounds great. After a few hours in the afternoon, we went to the activities and pool until dinner. Then at night was the beautiful candlelight senior ceremony on the lake. The seniors did a phenomenal job, it was very touching. Then they sang their senior song. It was an incredible day. Tomorrow we will be out on the field from 9 to 12 and 1 to 3, which will be followed by the ending relay game which is around the entire camp. The camp picture at 5:30, dinner at 6 and then we depart at 7pm. We should be home around 10pm.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Band Camp, Day Five
Once again, a perfect day to teach marching. Cloudy and in the mid seventies. We finished up to drill sets 27 which leaves only 4 more sets to complete the show. The band looks great, and we finished the music and drill for 5 of the six tunes. Then after dinner we worked on the closer, Ode to Joy, memorizing that as well. Meals were egg mcmuffins for breakfast with sausage patties, pizza for lunch, and hamburgers for dinner. There was always the regular fruits and salad bars available as well. It remained cloudy, which is good in terms of not getting sunburn. Tonight was skit night as well, and each group got to do a little five minute show for the entire band. The colorguard looks phenomenal. They are also doing their choreography with their drill and are on track to a great visual package for the band. Friday and Saturday are supposed to be nice out, so we will definitely have no problem in finishing the preparation of this show. The kids are in good spirits and psyched up for this year's season.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Band Camp, Day Four
Today the weather was perfect for marching band. It was around 65 to 70 degrees, cloudy, and no wind. Perfect. We learned sets 14 through 23 which leaves only 8 sets to finish the show. Hopefully tomorrow we can finish and use Friday and Saturday to clean and add the pit percussion. The pit have finished the show and are working hard to perfect it. The show is working really well, it is very entertaining. This is an incredible band we have here! The parents have done a great job organizing and running the activities ouside the rehearsals. See you tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Band Camp, Day Three
Great day, it rained all day so we worked on music, in small groups and in large ensemble. Ready for the rain, we planned ahead and were ready to double up on music rehearsals today. We gave some individual and large group instruction to the new band members who are doing great. We have some new instrumentalists who, in a few short days, are playing at the level of students who have been doing it for years. For breakfast we had eggs and potatoes, cereal, fruit, etc. Lunch included tacos, which you could make yourself, salad bar, and chicken salad sandwiches. Dinner included chicken teriyaki, rice, the great salad bar, and pudding for dessert. The band sounds and looks better than ever, we are making a tremendous jump in the quality level once again. The rain stopped after dinner, just a little drizzle and it looks like it will be nice out tomorrow.
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