World of Pageantry

seanrj wrote:A few tips that may help:
1) As has been stated, HAVE A PLAN. Pay attention during full band rehearsals. If you hear a part in the music that the section is having trouble with, or the director comments on, that becomes an immediate priority. Also, try asking the director what they would like you to work on.

2) Make sure to address technique in your sectional rehearsals. 10-15 minutes of exercises is not too much to ask. Ask your director or line coach for exercises. It is not enough to learn the music, also try to help the section to develop their playing ability throughout the season. Make sure the exercises are appropriate, accessible, and effective for the level of players in the section. In other words, work on things the section needs to be able to do in order to perform better, not just the COOL SOUNDING warm-ups that someone heard BD doing...

3) Repetition, repetition, repeptition. The best way to learn, clean, and memorize material is to repeat it in small portions (usually 8 bar phrases). Break it down further if there is a specific figure the section is having difficulty with.

4) DO NOT SPEAK TO HEAR YOURSELF SPEAK OR TO SOUND IMPORTANT AND IN CHARGE. Keep your instructions, comments, and recommendations short and precise. Stay on-task and focus on the objectives. Try to keep the playing to talking ratio of 90% PLAYING, 10% talking.

5) ROUTINE ROUTINE ROUTINE. Develop good performance habits by having an effective routine. Start all sectionals with it, and start sectional warm-ups at performances with it. It helps to develop GOOD habits when it comes to performances. Goes along with the sentiment "Training, people! Training!" If your group is well-trained and has a routine to follow, they will be able to deal with any little problems that happen to creep up at the worst possible time (Murphy's Law).

As to the basics of the music:
-Go for note accuracy. If it is not correct, then fix it. It will most likely NOT fix itself.
-Go for rhythmic accuracy at slower tempos and then speed it up. People tend to want to play difficult passages quickly. Rushing through the music just lets people play so fast they MISS any errors.
-Match up ALL attacks and releases. However, do not spend 1 hour on the same attack/release.
=Of course, make sure you know YOUR part first, then learn the rest of the parts your section plays (1st, 2nd, 3rd). If you need to, play the passage for them to give them a model to follow, or to demonstrate interpretation and style.

Just work together and realize that you are all there for the same reason; TO HAVE A GREAT BAND EXPERIENCE! With that said, there is no better band experience than working hard to learn your material and going out and performing GREAT!

Nothing is more fun than being in a group that has great performances.

Hope that helps. HAVE FUN!