Band stuff
Had quite a good weekend at Butlins in Skegness this last weekend. I was there with Watford Band to compete in the Mineworkers Open Contest. Unfortunately the band didn’t do too well coming 12th out of 14. However, we played quite well (even though I did miss an exposed bar!) and fell down mainly on interpretation which is subjective.
The weekend would have been much better if Louise and the kids had been there, but I suppose Eva’s still a bit young. But Euan would have really enjoyed their swimming pool and Keith Harris and Orville (yes, he is still going, and doing the same act by all accounts!)
From the band’s point of view the fact that we had two players under 10 playing in their first ever contest was good, and they definitely enjoyed the experience.
I just wish there wasn’t so much aggravation and stress leading up to these things. I can’t get on being bullied into playing as our MD seems to want to do; and from what he said at last night’s rehearsal it seems it may only get worse for the Regional contest in March. It wouldn’t be so bad perhaps if there was any praise for when people do things well to balance the barrage of criticism. Perhaps I should just hang up my contesting boots, after all I don’t like them.
February 4th, 2005 at 2.59 pm
I am rather amazed by your disillusioned comments in this post. Having read your witterings, I am left wondering what you might expect from playing in a band???
In my experience, if you want to gain success in your performance (which I assume you and the band do), then each individuals failings have to be rectified to the MD’s satisfaction (that is his job, after all). If not, then go and find a group of players who just don’t care how good or bad they are (surely competition is about being THE best).
Personally, as a band player myself, I find it both frustrating and infuriating when certain individuals don’t have either the capacity or interest in gaining higher achievement…the fulfilment of which is always worth the hard work along the way! It’s all too easy to feel that what we’re doing is ok…but is it?!!!
February 4th, 2005 at 3.23 pm
Hi Craig,
What do I expect from playing in a band? For me it is two fold, first of all I enjoy playing for playings sake. It is so completely different from how I spend the rest of my time I find it a good way to relax and unwind; for me playing is a hobby. Secondly I enjoy the thrill of the performance when playing in a concert environment, whether it’s a bandstand setting or a concert hall setting.
One thing I don’t enjoy is contesting. I can’t see the enjoyment in practicing a test piece for months on end and then, on contest day, hanging around for hours, playing for 10 minutes, then hanging around for hours more to be told how badly you played. Band players will always say that this is how a band can improve, and whilst I agree it may be one way in which a band can improve, it’s not the only way. I’d much rather be playing in a couple of big concerts where the pieces in the programme stretch the band so that they need to improve to pull them off. In that setting there’s no waiting around to play or to hear results and you’re playing to an appreciative audience who want to be there (rather than the opposing bands in a contest) and the band can make money out of it (rather than losing money at a contest).
However, the main gripe in my post is more to do with the MDs methods. Of course I strive to play to the best of my ability and would hope the other band members do too, after all, banding is about playing in a team. But, as a hobbyist I don’t go to band to be shouted at or have snide and sarcastic comments directed at me. I would expect criticism that is constructive and respectful when it’s due and praise when it’s due. We get plenty of criticism a lot of which isn’t constructive and there’s very little praise.
Hard work and team work are definitely required and there are definitely some who don’t put as much effort in as others which can be for a number of reasons. My biggest frustration is with players who either don’t listen, or don’t remember what’s been said from rehearsal to the next.
February 4th, 2005 at 3.53 pm
Hi Greg,
Your reply is very insightful…makes me wonder whether you are alone with this point of view, or if this is also the opinion of the majority of the band.
Personally, I am on your side when it comes to competitions…I enjoy the performance to an audience, rather than the scrutiny of judges (and competitors). But this begs another question…does your band want to be a competition band, or was it the instigation of somebody else? And yes, if we are to be criticised, we do need to be commended now and again, too.
I hope your band is run democratically, otherwise it could be in severe danger of losing players, especially if they agree with your point of view???
February 4th, 2005 at 4.28 pm
I suspect I’m in a minority, but certainly not a minority of 1!
I don’t think there has ever been the question of whether or not we contest put before the band as a whole. As Watford have a history of competing I think it may be assumed that we still do, but the decision is made between the committee and MD.
The band is run fairly democratically, though there are more vociferous elements in the committee and the band who try to sway opinion. Whilst I was chairman I made an effort to ensure that decisions were communicated and opinion sought from the band as a whole. Not sure if that is continuing though:(
At the moment the band is in a reasonably good growth spell. Having lost many players about 2 years ago we’re now pretty much complete and just last week I was contacted by a trombone player who’s moved into the area. The benefits of having a decent website is paying dividends in that respect:)
February 9th, 2005 at 12.02 pm
Hello again,
From what you have said, I would be surprised if you’re in a minority…maybe just differing degrees of dissatisfaction. I usually find everyone has something to moan about in a band, quite often just insignificant little gripes, but not always.
When it comes to competitions, is it this that is really getting you down? Seems to me, as far as you are concerned, it’s just the way the MD communicates and manages a rehearsal. If so, wouldn’t the normal route be to either talk to him directly, or via the committee? Surely, if things are as they should be in the band, this should help matters???
It’s good news that there are plenty of players who want to join your ranks…I just hope that the committee and MD do not assume this to be because of everything that they are currently doing to be the best way?!!! Close communication with the band is so important, and dangerous to the bands health if those running the band ever forget this.
February 11th, 2005 at 9.57 am
Heh, band and moaning, who’d have thought it
It’s not the competing that gets me down is the approach taken by the MD when leading the band, so yes, you’ve hit the nail on the head. I did speak to the MD whilst I was chairman about the lack of praise and encouragement. It usually had an effect for 1 or 2 rehearsals, then I guess it was a case of old habits die hard.
I completely agree with your last paragraph. If I didn’t have the young family and my work and church commitments I would continue to participate in the running of the band. For now though, I have a life outside of band so I’m restricting my band activities to playing and running the website (and moaning on here
)