Be the Pride of Your Community –Joseph Carver

BE THE "PRIDE" OF YOUR COMMUNITY

BY JOSEPH CARVER

It can be seen and heard in marching band slogans across the country, “Please welcome, The Pride of *insert town name here* ... the high school marching band!”. We advertise our marching band using buzz words like “tradition and pride” in an attempt to demonstrate the marching band’s connection to its local community. However, as educational and philosophical program goals eb and flow, why is it important to maintain a balance between community involvement and the demands of other program standards and expectations? Band programs who prioritize the community investment, will reap the benefits of community support.

I remember, as a young director in rural Ohio, becoming frustrated by a local community festival parade of which our high school marching band was one of the main entries. This event happened at the worst part of the year, early summer; a time when the last year’s marching band was dissolved and partly graduated, and the next year’s marching band had nothing but a welcome letter. This frustration was aided by the fact that my family vacations and personal summer plans were often dictated around this event. I recall at one point, after I had accumulated some years in my position, even toying around with the idea that the band would not march in the parade because the organizers could not commit to a date. The summer parade coincided with a community carnival which was scheduled by the amusement ride company’s availability and sliding cost scale. As directors, we are used to overseeing the schedule and know what works with our personal family and our band family. What I was missing and what mattered is that it was not about me. This performance, and others like it, made our band the pride of our community. It was a celebration of the community, founded on tradition, and the band’s performance was a highlight and thank you to all who supported us.

Marching bands have a rich history of being tied to local communities. Over a century ago, this might have included a local group who played for local gatherings, ceremonies, parades, and perhaps even weddings or funerals. Today, our marching bands are deeply tied to our country’s love of football and the pageantry which these groups create for local Friday nights. For some schools, home Friday night football games are a huge community gathering. More people will see your band at a football game than any of your concerts and contests. Directors should seize the opportunity to showcase their band in the best way possible as it is likely that some community member’s opinions will be formed by what they see at football games. Bands can increase their visibility by performing before and after the game. Think about ways to invite the community to view your warmups, your parade to the stadium, or your postgame routine. Can you play in a tailgate area? How about in front of or at local businesses? The extra performances will enhance the gameday experience and create a sense of school pride which is generated by your band!

As the marching arts continue to evolve, the popularity of marching

Joseph Carver, Ph.D., is assistant professor of music, associate director of bands, and director of the Western Thunder Marching Band at the University of Wyoming. In addition to directing the Marching and Athletic bands, he conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches undergraduate classes in music education. Dr. Carver earned his Ph.D. in music education from The Ohio State University, and a M.M. and B.M. in music education from Ohio University. Carver was a music educator for nine years in the public schools of Ohio where he primarily served as a high school band director.

Be the Pride of your Community, Joseph Carver, cont.

band competitions and festivals is a priority with many programs. These performances can be a great way to involve the community, but directors should be mindful of the perception that competitions and festivals are more important than football games and parades. Don’t forego a community performance opportunity on Friday night just because you have double header of competitions the next day. Community support is a two-way street. The ways in which your band interacts with the local community will greatly impact the support which is given in return. Marching band programs are a large public voice for our schools. Even though schedules can get busy, programs should try to go beyond football games and festival performances. By participating in local ceremonies and festivals, or the grand opening of local businesses, you will gain respect that can come in handy the next time your band needs fundraising or volunteer support. The power of a mutual community relationship can be endlessly beneficial.