Great job tonight! You know how you did! You focused and did exactly what we talked about all day in rehearsal. YOU WERE ON! BIG TIME! Everyone in that stadium knows how you did! EVERYONE! You took a major step in reaching the Dynasty level! Unfortunately, a few of the judges didn’t agree. They will, give them time!
One of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous quotes is important when we deal with the subjectivity of judging. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Building a dynasty is very difficult. We are clearly accomplishing our goals and doing it. Along the way there are speed bumps. Tonight was one of those. Whatever the reason, we are getting low scores. Perhaps it is our lack of precision, our lack of focus which is affecting our “getting it done”. Perhaps we are totally doing a great job and for whatever reasons, the numbers aren’t reflecting it. We have a ton of horn snaps, starts and stops, tempo changes, accellerandos, transitions, and very difficult music. We designed this show to win the class. It is a challenging show. Perhaps we just haven’t peaked yet. Perhaps we are a few inches from the gold in our marching band gold mine, and have to dig for another week to reach it. We have 3 big rehearsals left, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. We need to focus and get the most out of ourselves this week. We just need to max out our precision so that the judges see us for what we are, an incredible, championship band. Remember, the marching band season is a marathon which doesn’t end until the dome. Last year we were dumped 3 points below Division on this weekend, only to focus and beat them at the dome when they got 3rd place to our 2nd place! Stay focused! Stay the course!
Those speed bumps in life define us. How we handle things that come at us defines us. It is easy to be great when things are amazing. How we handle adversity defines us.
Here is one of my favorite quotes. Nobody knows who said this quote, but it is perfect with dealing with tonight’s result.
“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.”
We have a “positive attitude.” Let’s face it, we define it. Our results are “extraordinary.” We are the talk of the Island, the talk of Roslyn, and soon the talk of the state! Really, we are the talk of everyone who went to that show tonight, that's for sure! We are making big waves in this activity. We love what we do and are great at it! Don’t let 7 people’s decision about what we deserve influence our self-esteem and confidence. Tomorrow they will crown us champions. They will see the light!
Now about tomorrow’s show. We are doing this one USSBA show to try out this circuit. We did one other USSBA show last year at Hicksville and received some great scores. USSBA is part of YEA which is run by the Cadets drum corps. The circuit started in the early 1990s. All the Long Island bands did the USSBA (then called CMBC, cadets marching band cooperative). The Championships were at Giant’s Stadium. When the stadium went to regular grass turf they wouldn’t let the marching bands use it anymore and the CMBC switched their championships to other venues, in Allentown, Atlantic City, and other stadiums. What ensued was an immediate withdrawal of the Long Island bands. With the loss of Giant’s stadium, the Long Island bands all went to the NYSFBC which has the championship at the Carrier Dome. These bands felt that the final venue was crucial and that the dome was a better place to end the season, an indoor venue that ends at the end of October.
The USSBA and the NYSFBC are similar in scoring with one major exception. The NYSFBC puts bands into classes by school size. The USSBA puts bands in classes by the size of band. They then give credit to larger bands and the scores tend to go up as your band size/class goes up. In many parts of the country, if you have a bigger band the General Effect scores reflect it. In most cases, a 140 piece band looks and sounds more exciting than a 40 piece band. Most circuits recognize that. Most circuits put bands into their classes by band size, also feeling that it is unfair to have a 40 piece band perform immediately after a 140 piece band, for that same “General Effect” reason.
Unfortunately, the circuit we are in does not take into consideration the size of the band and actually ignores it in the general effect scores. In fact, Northwestern, the smallest band in our class, is scoring over everyone. They also won the SS2 class two years in a row and have not moved to SS1, a class they clearly belong in. That is another whole issue, bands winning classes and staying in that class for years, winning over and over. A few years ago in the NYSFBC I actually had a judge tell me to cut my band size down to make it more competitive. The NYSFBC seems to reward smaller groups. The Dome is an incredible venue, but I cannot help ponder if we are doing the best for our program by going into an arena that actually makes a point to ignore band size.
I am excited about our band size! A large part of the excitement within a band program is the number of kids in the band. Big bands are exciting. Big bands touch more lives. Isn’t that what it is all about, touching more lives? In addition, with the addition of Giant’s stadium back as a USSBA venue, we should probably think about the possibility of performing in that circuit. The USSBA also has no minimum show requirement and is a more relaxed in terms of timing and penalties which will take alot of stress off our pit parents. In the early 90s the CMBC had a dozen or so bands. Now they are called the USSBA and have over 700 bands in their circuit. Some Long Island bands do exclusively compete in the USSBA and you will see them at this weekend’s show.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Last Night's Rehearsal....Wow! and the Up and Coming Weekend!!!
Last night's rehearsal was incredible! In all my years of running marching bands I have never seen a group work so hard. You raised the bar with hard work and determination. The amount of ground we covered was amazing. We actually cleaned marching, intervals, and horn pops in one half of the show. You were silent, followed directions, and worked tirelessly. Thanks for working so hard! I really appreciate your hard work. Hopefully this weekend it will pay off!
Now onto this weekend. We will be competing against Mineola, who is currently ahead of us by .6 which really means that the spread is gone. We all know they scored an 78.4 at Huntington. We all know they are a great band, a dynasty in fact. But really, who knows what would have happened if we went to Huntington, perhaps we would have been closer, or even over them! We could have scored a 79! Who knows. Anyway, we need to show the judges that we are great so that they reward us!Hopefully they will! We need to be precise, sharp, together with great horn pops, marching and style. Remember, in order for the judges to "make the call", popping us over bands we traditionally haven't beat, it has to be a big spread. Not by a point or two, but by 5 points or more. In the mid 90's, when I was building the Mineola dynasty, we were blowing bands off the field and the scores didn't reflect it. We were not one of the "Big Boys" yet. We were patient! Soon the scores came and now they are a powerhouse! Grant it, the judges have a right to their opinions, we have to totally respect that. I don't ever want to criticize the judging, in fact, the judges have been the best this year. They will one day crown us champions. We just need to really show them what we have! Also remember, building a program is hard. Building a Dynasty is even harder. We have to dig down and get it done. It won't be easy. Aim High....Be Patient!
Lets perform the shows of our lives this weekend at the Mineola Show and at the USSBA Championships. And remember, if someone beats us, shake their hands and congratulate them, they beat a great band! Roslyn! Future Dynasty!
Now onto this weekend. We will be competing against Mineola, who is currently ahead of us by .6 which really means that the spread is gone. We all know they scored an 78.4 at Huntington. We all know they are a great band, a dynasty in fact. But really, who knows what would have happened if we went to Huntington, perhaps we would have been closer, or even over them! We could have scored a 79! Who knows. Anyway, we need to show the judges that we are great so that they reward us!Hopefully they will! We need to be precise, sharp, together with great horn pops, marching and style. Remember, in order for the judges to "make the call", popping us over bands we traditionally haven't beat, it has to be a big spread. Not by a point or two, but by 5 points or more. In the mid 90's, when I was building the Mineola dynasty, we were blowing bands off the field and the scores didn't reflect it. We were not one of the "Big Boys" yet. We were patient! Soon the scores came and now they are a powerhouse! Grant it, the judges have a right to their opinions, we have to totally respect that. I don't ever want to criticize the judging, in fact, the judges have been the best this year. They will one day crown us champions. We just need to really show them what we have! Also remember, building a program is hard. Building a Dynasty is even harder. We have to dig down and get it done. It won't be easy. Aim High....Be Patient!
Lets perform the shows of our lives this weekend at the Mineola Show and at the USSBA Championships. And remember, if someone beats us, shake their hands and congratulate them, they beat a great band! Roslyn! Future Dynasty!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Homecoming & Walt Whitman Wrap Up, Finally!!
So here we go, two nights to think about it, what to write. Sorry I didn't put the blog up until now. I needed to digest the weekend, as you would a gourmet meal, before I wrote about it. I had to reflect on some of my own, shall I say, shortcomings, or maybe a better way to put it would be, my ego. There, I said it, I have one. Actually, we all do.
I am very competetive, big time. I hate losing, at anything. Whether its fishing on a party boat, to playing chess, or even a video game, I hate to lose, to anyone, at any time. Sorry, I am being honest with you. But sometimes I have to compose my thoughts, and look at the big picture. Here with the Roslyn Band, the big picture is one of the most beautiful, incredible, and breathtaking pictures I have ever seen. That is what I realized after digesting this past weekend. Watching that huge and precise band marching down the street, taking up 3 blocks, with parents and groupies following the band like they were celebrities was heart wrenching to say the least. Seeing the huge crowd at the homecoming, the whole community coming together to watch our teams and students celebrate our school's homecoming, was an incredible thing to watch. The passion, the love, the rise of Roslyn in so many ways- what a great picture to take in. We all need to take a step back and look at the "Big Picture."
Now back to the reality of life. Sometimes it is difficult to deal with the subjectivity of judges, of a person or persons totally deciding if you "got it done" or not. Actually, it is always difficult dealing with it! After homecoming, at the Walt Whitman Show, it hit us like a ton of bricks. Fun to watch, but a little scary because you don't know what is coming. With subjective judging there are so many variables that are involved, you have to be very intelligent and patient when dealing with it. You have to constantly adjust your goals. You have to have unwavering resiliency. It is very similar to getting into the best colleges. A person or persons on an admission team will decide if you are worthy of their school. It is totally subjective when it comes right down to it. Of course, you need the great grades and SAT's, the great essay and brilliant interview technique, but when you come right down to it.........someone is going to decide if you "got it done." Pretty scary!
Now back to the band (sorry about the rant).
The band was incredible, clearly one of the best on Long Island. We have gotten better every year. We have gotten bigger every year. Everyone is talking about the growth of the Roslyn Band. "Where did they come from" is a frequent line around the marching band scene on Long Island. In addition, we are more organized and have an incredible support system from our school, community, and parents! We have the hardest working band I have ever seen. I am proud to direct such a great group of human beings. Wow, I really mean it!!
We have a goal, we are building a dynasty. We are doing it. Big Time!!!!
Do the judges realize it yet? Maybe........and maybe not. It doesn't matter. They will. I'll say it again. THEY WILL. Maybe this year, maybe next year, and maybe 10 years down the road. The bottom line is that WE realize what we are doing here. We need to take it all in. We need to Pat (ha) ourselves on the back. We need to realize how great it is going, how much we have all done here. Sit back and think about it, ponder it, watch old tapes, you will be mezmerized by the incredible growth of the Roslyn Marching Band Program. Feel it, internalize it, then press on.
The energy, from the parents pouring onto the field to set the band up, to the new shakos and plumes, to the 7 tubas, to the incredible drum line, to the huge and hard working low brass section, to the incredible clarinets, the great flutes, the crazy, nutty alto saxes (who play great!) to the great bass clarinets, and the great colorguard. We have it all! The pit rocks! Remember a few years ago when there wasn't even a pit or colorguard! Our colorguard was right on this week! They were incredible. The trumpets are one of the best sections on Long Island! The mellophones march like pros and sound like it too!
Remember the word......Dynasty! We are building a marching band dynasty! It's fun! It's more fun than anything to win! Hopefully we will! But have fun in the process, don't miss out the fun it is building this thing!
Now, if we get a low score, that is when you are really put to the test. Anyone can handle a great score. It is a very special group that can get a low score, dust themselves off, work hard, and take the championship by storm. We are that group! We did it before! Remember, we did some of our best work when we are in last place last year! We ended up beating 11 bands, winning a Silver Plaque, and moving up a class. We are that special group. Roslyn is a very rare place, hard workers, very competetive, and we love marching band. Let's dig down, get psyched, and tear down the dome! (not literally). Our goal is still to win the dome! Stay the course! Aim High.......Be Patient!
P.S........from the bottom of my heart......I love all of you and appreciate how hard you are working!
I am very competetive, big time. I hate losing, at anything. Whether its fishing on a party boat, to playing chess, or even a video game, I hate to lose, to anyone, at any time. Sorry, I am being honest with you. But sometimes I have to compose my thoughts, and look at the big picture. Here with the Roslyn Band, the big picture is one of the most beautiful, incredible, and breathtaking pictures I have ever seen. That is what I realized after digesting this past weekend. Watching that huge and precise band marching down the street, taking up 3 blocks, with parents and groupies following the band like they were celebrities was heart wrenching to say the least. Seeing the huge crowd at the homecoming, the whole community coming together to watch our teams and students celebrate our school's homecoming, was an incredible thing to watch. The passion, the love, the rise of Roslyn in so many ways- what a great picture to take in. We all need to take a step back and look at the "Big Picture."
Now back to the reality of life. Sometimes it is difficult to deal with the subjectivity of judges, of a person or persons totally deciding if you "got it done" or not. Actually, it is always difficult dealing with it! After homecoming, at the Walt Whitman Show, it hit us like a ton of bricks. Fun to watch, but a little scary because you don't know what is coming. With subjective judging there are so many variables that are involved, you have to be very intelligent and patient when dealing with it. You have to constantly adjust your goals. You have to have unwavering resiliency. It is very similar to getting into the best colleges. A person or persons on an admission team will decide if you are worthy of their school. It is totally subjective when it comes right down to it. Of course, you need the great grades and SAT's, the great essay and brilliant interview technique, but when you come right down to it.........someone is going to decide if you "got it done." Pretty scary!
Now back to the band (sorry about the rant).
The band was incredible, clearly one of the best on Long Island. We have gotten better every year. We have gotten bigger every year. Everyone is talking about the growth of the Roslyn Band. "Where did they come from" is a frequent line around the marching band scene on Long Island. In addition, we are more organized and have an incredible support system from our school, community, and parents! We have the hardest working band I have ever seen. I am proud to direct such a great group of human beings. Wow, I really mean it!!
We have a goal, we are building a dynasty. We are doing it. Big Time!!!!
Do the judges realize it yet? Maybe........and maybe not. It doesn't matter. They will. I'll say it again. THEY WILL. Maybe this year, maybe next year, and maybe 10 years down the road. The bottom line is that WE realize what we are doing here. We need to take it all in. We need to Pat (ha) ourselves on the back. We need to realize how great it is going, how much we have all done here. Sit back and think about it, ponder it, watch old tapes, you will be mezmerized by the incredible growth of the Roslyn Marching Band Program. Feel it, internalize it, then press on.
The energy, from the parents pouring onto the field to set the band up, to the new shakos and plumes, to the 7 tubas, to the incredible drum line, to the huge and hard working low brass section, to the incredible clarinets, the great flutes, the crazy, nutty alto saxes (who play great!) to the great bass clarinets, and the great colorguard. We have it all! The pit rocks! Remember a few years ago when there wasn't even a pit or colorguard! Our colorguard was right on this week! They were incredible. The trumpets are one of the best sections on Long Island! The mellophones march like pros and sound like it too!
Remember the word......Dynasty! We are building a marching band dynasty! It's fun! It's more fun than anything to win! Hopefully we will! But have fun in the process, don't miss out the fun it is building this thing!
Now, if we get a low score, that is when you are really put to the test. Anyone can handle a great score. It is a very special group that can get a low score, dust themselves off, work hard, and take the championship by storm. We are that group! We did it before! Remember, we did some of our best work when we are in last place last year! We ended up beating 11 bands, winning a Silver Plaque, and moving up a class. We are that special group. Roslyn is a very rare place, hard workers, very competetive, and we love marching band. Let's dig down, get psyched, and tear down the dome! (not literally). Our goal is still to win the dome! Stay the course! Aim High.......Be Patient!
P.S........from the bottom of my heart......I love all of you and appreciate how hard you are working!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Rest day!
We all need a day off, to not think about marching band. I will write on the blog tomorrow, Monday, about the weekend and the up and coming last two weeks! Great job Saturday, it was an incredible day!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Copiague Show
The Recap
The band was incredible. The energy level was high, the band was more powerful, we had a great performance, clearly a peak for this band and our entire program. Electric! The best performance by any Roslyn Band. Pure and simple!
The Scoop
The two General Effect Judges buried us. They didn't understand or like the show. A complete departure from the last show in which all six judges loved it and were overcome by the show, complimenting us in every way. One of the judges is a famous winter guard judge who absolutely loved the guard for Mineola and rewarded them for it by putting them 1.4 points above us on his sheet. To put that in perspective, he had us about 12 points below Mineola. The Ensemble visual judge, sitting 5 feet to his right, had us down .6 of a point. These are two captions that we beat Mineola in the show before. The general effect music judge had us up a tiny bit, he didn't get the show either. We should have the highest general effect scores with our show. Last night it didn't happen. They loved Mineola, they have a right to, they are the judges! As we went through the post contest judges meeting they started to understand the show, remember, this was a first read for all of them. I could even hear them start to get it on the tapes. Another read would have popped us, I am sure. Sometimes, as the judges look at the show again and again, they grow to love it. We have that kind of show. Our show will also play well in the dome. We were up on three judges sheets and down on four. In music we beat Mineola by a pretty large margin, however, those two visual numbers really sent our score tumbling down.
There is another issue which I have touched on before. I am very conflicted in how to say this. After thinking about it overnight I think I can state it in a very conservative way. Anyone who sat through that show knows how great our band did. There were other bands who didn't do quite as well and shall we say, are having more difficult a year than they had in the past ten years of so. The scoring, in my opinion, was, safe scoring. You can draw your own conclusions from that. Some of the scores were traditional. We have only been on the field for six years, which is an infancy in this activity. When I directed Mineola, in the 90's, through their famed ascent from a score of 39 in 1990 to it's 1st place, highest scores on Long Island in '96 and '97, there were three years in there when we still had some of the lowest scores at each show, beating maybe one band. There were mind boggling results, with parents from all the bands walking out of the stadium in a daze over the scoring. Last night, I was thrilled that we beat six bands. We are definitely on the move upward. Are we getting the scores we deserve. Yes! And you know why? Because the judges have a right to their opinions. They are professionals and we must respect them to respect the activity. This activity that we all love! Remember, these judges will someday crown us champions! We are on the move! Aim high, be patient!
The Weekly Goal
We must work on marching, there are too many interval problems, people out of step, and a lack of clarity in our horn pops and starts and stops. We must keep working on the music to make it masterful and perfect. We must continue our quest to be the best we can be and push forward. We must blow the judges away at the Whitman Show in two weeks. Our scores, in the low 70s will put both Mineola and Roslyn at the bottom of the class in the state. Although we keep an eye on those numbers, they really mean very little when we finally get to the Championship. There anything can happen. There are 13 judges, they double the judging slate, and when all the bands are in the same venue on the same day anyone can win. Everyone should try to rest this next weekend because the last three weeks of the season are intense and a real push. We have 6 shows in 2 1/2 weeks. This is a marathon and we must be ready for the last few miles! Get rest, sleep, eat right, and prepare yourself mentally and physically for the last push. While all the other bands burn out and don't pace themselves properly, we will reign! Get ready for the big push! We can do it. Our goal is still to win the dome, to peak just right and do the show of our lives at the Championships. It is a lofty goal, but I feel, especially after last night's peformance, a reachable one!
The band was incredible. The energy level was high, the band was more powerful, we had a great performance, clearly a peak for this band and our entire program. Electric! The best performance by any Roslyn Band. Pure and simple!
The Scoop
The two General Effect Judges buried us. They didn't understand or like the show. A complete departure from the last show in which all six judges loved it and were overcome by the show, complimenting us in every way. One of the judges is a famous winter guard judge who absolutely loved the guard for Mineola and rewarded them for it by putting them 1.4 points above us on his sheet. To put that in perspective, he had us about 12 points below Mineola. The Ensemble visual judge, sitting 5 feet to his right, had us down .6 of a point. These are two captions that we beat Mineola in the show before. The general effect music judge had us up a tiny bit, he didn't get the show either. We should have the highest general effect scores with our show. Last night it didn't happen. They loved Mineola, they have a right to, they are the judges! As we went through the post contest judges meeting they started to understand the show, remember, this was a first read for all of them. I could even hear them start to get it on the tapes. Another read would have popped us, I am sure. Sometimes, as the judges look at the show again and again, they grow to love it. We have that kind of show. Our show will also play well in the dome. We were up on three judges sheets and down on four. In music we beat Mineola by a pretty large margin, however, those two visual numbers really sent our score tumbling down.
There is another issue which I have touched on before. I am very conflicted in how to say this. After thinking about it overnight I think I can state it in a very conservative way. Anyone who sat through that show knows how great our band did. There were other bands who didn't do quite as well and shall we say, are having more difficult a year than they had in the past ten years of so. The scoring, in my opinion, was, safe scoring. You can draw your own conclusions from that. Some of the scores were traditional. We have only been on the field for six years, which is an infancy in this activity. When I directed Mineola, in the 90's, through their famed ascent from a score of 39 in 1990 to it's 1st place, highest scores on Long Island in '96 and '97, there were three years in there when we still had some of the lowest scores at each show, beating maybe one band. There were mind boggling results, with parents from all the bands walking out of the stadium in a daze over the scoring. Last night, I was thrilled that we beat six bands. We are definitely on the move upward. Are we getting the scores we deserve. Yes! And you know why? Because the judges have a right to their opinions. They are professionals and we must respect them to respect the activity. This activity that we all love! Remember, these judges will someday crown us champions! We are on the move! Aim high, be patient!
The Weekly Goal
We must work on marching, there are too many interval problems, people out of step, and a lack of clarity in our horn pops and starts and stops. We must keep working on the music to make it masterful and perfect. We must continue our quest to be the best we can be and push forward. We must blow the judges away at the Whitman Show in two weeks. Our scores, in the low 70s will put both Mineola and Roslyn at the bottom of the class in the state. Although we keep an eye on those numbers, they really mean very little when we finally get to the Championship. There anything can happen. There are 13 judges, they double the judging slate, and when all the bands are in the same venue on the same day anyone can win. Everyone should try to rest this next weekend because the last three weeks of the season are intense and a real push. We have 6 shows in 2 1/2 weeks. This is a marathon and we must be ready for the last few miles! Get rest, sleep, eat right, and prepare yourself mentally and physically for the last push. While all the other bands burn out and don't pace themselves properly, we will reign! Get ready for the big push! We can do it. Our goal is still to win the dome, to peak just right and do the show of our lives at the Championships. It is a lofty goal, but I feel, especially after last night's peformance, a reachable one!
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!
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