by Allan McMurray

In Service to Bands In Service to Bands In Service to Bands In Service to Bands In Service to Bands

by Allan McMurray Director of Bands University of Colorado

On campuses throughout the United States, chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are making a significant contribution to collegiate bands in many ways. Chapter leaders seek valuable projects and events to initiate and offer much appreciated service to bands and band directors. But there is an essential service to every band that must come from every member of every chapter, and be accomplished with the highest level of expectation. That essential service is the musical contribution to every band in which every member participates.

I have had the opportunity to work with university bands and university honor bands throughout the United States. It has been a joyous experience meeting and making music with students who love being together in purpose and in performance, but I have constantly been reminded of the different levels of commitment that can be found.

The common level of commitment is that of the participant. Band participants enjoy the experience of getting together with friends and engaging in the events of bands. Participant are conscientious about rehearsal times, work to learn the music in rehearsal, and are interested in being good section members.

The next level is that of the player. Players are people who love band because it gives them a chance to play. Players want to play a lot and practice to achieve range and technique that can represent a great sound whenever they play. Players arrive early to practice their “licks” and want great parts to play. In fact, players judge music based on their part. If it’s a good part, it is a good piece of music; if it’s a bad part, it is a bad piece of music. Players like solos and strive to be heard. Players love band and enjoy getting together with other players. Players will learn their parts outside of rehearsals so they can sound good in rehearsals.

The third level is that of the musician. Musicians play their instruments well and show up at rehearsals with their parts mastered. Musicians love band because of the opportunity for musical collaboration. Musicians do not come to rehearsal to learn just their individual parts; musicians come to rehearsal to learn everyone else’s part. In that way, musicians are learning how to play together by concentrating on intonation, articulation, phrasing, blend, balance, and style. Musicians are about listening, learning, and collaborating with other musicians. Musicians evaluate a piece of music by the sounds that are created by everyone and enjoy listening as much as playing. Musicians like being a contributing part of every rehearsal through collaboration.

The fourth level is that of the artist. The artist has all of the skill of the player and the musician, but the artist is also a creator. The artist comes to every rehearsal prepared in every way and leaves every rehearsal with new practice goals. The artist loves great music making and loves to bring expression and inspiration to the performance of bands.

The artist has imagination that is fueled by opportunity. That opportunity might come in a solo passage or in an approach to style that amplifies the intent of the piece. Artists are collaborators with the other members of the ensemble, with the conductor, and with the composer. Artists are intuitive and original, but only use their skills in pursuit of the most beautiful performance possible. The artist evaluates music by how it is composed and what it expresses. The artist has the potential to elevate the listener’s perception of an average piece through an extraordinary performance. An artist loves music because music fuels an artist’s soul.

If it were only about choosing a level, then all band members would be artists. But it is not about choosing; it is about striving. Striving means making an effort, to earnestly try to achieve; but in order to strive for the highest, one must know what the “highest” might be.

When each member of ΚΚΨ and ΤΒΣ earnestly tries through diligent practice and preparation to become an artist, then that person makes a significant contribution to the band and provides an example that brings honor to the chapter. When a chapter seeks ways to encourage musical growth through attending concerts, holding practice sessions, and creating a musical mentoring program involving faculty and outstanding students, that chapter is helping to make band musicians better and is striving for the highest in music making.

I encourage every chapter to commit themselves as individuals and collectively to strive for the highest, to be a level builder, to make music service through outstanding preparation a priority. In this way collegiate bands will flourish in ways that will bring audiences to the concert hall, touch the human spirit, and help fulfill a country’s need for spiritual renewal. } The PODIUM, Spring 2002 – 33