Re: extravagant student ensemble trips


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Posted by another slant on June 05, 2003 at 10:07:21:

In Reply to: extravagant student ensemble trips posted by js on June 01, 2003 at 13:09:25:

My daughter's band travels quite a bit - but not to exotic locales. Their motivation is winning. I don't mean the feel-good festivals where every group receives a big trophy, this band likes to compete in events where the groups are ranked. Because of this focus, the Concert program is almost pushed aside. Marching Band, Jazz Band, Indoor Drumline, and Winterguard provide more competition opportunities, and therefore get more attention. Band in our world is more of a competitive sport than a fine art.
How do you band directors in healthier programs encourage excellence without falling into the competition trap?

On a side note.... Several of our students participated in every competition category (BOA, Jazz, and WGI) with expenses over $2000. They were able to fundraise most of the amount. Although there was a little peddling involved, most of the earnings were through hard work. Our Band Parents have divided fundraising into 2 categories : Corporate, which benefits the whole program (pays for extra staff, drill, clinicians, equipment, etc.) and Student fundraising, which ensures that the students putting forth the effort receive the rewards. Our group of 275 students earned over $78000.00 through student fundraising. With creativity and organization, band does not have to be expensive!


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