high
Coverage of the
Rows of flutes, percussion players and the like make for good repetition of shapes. Photo by Jenny Haigler of Hurst Bell (Texas) HS
notes
Before the band goes on the field or plays the first note of a concert, there’s lots of preparation behind the scenes.
The soloist is a prime opportunity for a good photo with some emotion, but use low depth of field and foreground elements to give the photo depth.
Direct quotes with action photos and fact boxes. Alternative copy courtesy Rocklin HS (Calif.), 1998 Tonitrus (Ken Sisney, yearbook coach; Casey Nichols, adviser)
Don’t forget the twirlers and flag/rifle corps. Photo by Kristen Espinoza of Pflugerville (Texas) HS
Awards ceremonies are fully of pageantry and emotion. Stick around to capture some of the emotion of the end of the season – no matter when it occurs.
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Fall 1999
Don’t overlook rehearsals for quality photographs, especially during concert season. Find a story angle that sets this year and your school aside. Spread from Hillcrest HS (Dallas, TX)
In the clubs section, the band spread will often have to include group shots. Keep the group shots subordinate to the action pictures. And don’t try to get all 300 marching band members in one shot. Divide the band into smaller groups by section. Spread from the University of Arkansas. Look for pictures outside the school day such as this picture of senior Mark Liddle practicing on the quad drums prior to the start of summer band camp. Photo courtesy Hi-S-Potts Publications
Find pictures during concert season that look different from last year and don’t look like any school around. In this Christmas concert, the brass players wore Santa Claus hats. The use of low depth of field helps put emphasis on one player.
Fall 1999
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Brian Burkle, drum major, Leander HS (Texas) [1987]
leader of the band David Snider, drum major, Berkner HS (Texas) [1998]
The
Even Dr. Joyce Brothers realizes that there’s more to music than just a group of people playing a song. In an appearance on the “Today” show July 28, 1999, Brothers quoted a recent study that showed, “Almost everything is involved in musical skill - physical coordination, mental concentration, memory skills, visual and aural ability. The entire brain is involved in making music. Every one of those black dots on a page of music is a set of instructions to a group of muscles.” And every one of those people playing those little black notes, the person leading the band, and even the performance itself may be a story idea. But band members like Steve Bryant, a well-known tuba player and associate professor of music at The University of Texas, would prefer to see coverage of “what kids learn besides how to march. “I would want to see articles about anything that happens out of the norm - this year’s winner of the DCI [Drum Corps International] competition, the state marching contest in Austin, what bands played at this year’s Midwest Band Conference - that kind of stuff.”’ As an example Richard Floyd, the director of music for the Texas University Interscholastic League, said one interesting 8 • Communication: Journalism Education Today
Ron Stanford, director, Wimberley HS (Texas) [1991]
Pat Ricks, director, Wimberley HS (Texas) [1992]
music-related story came out of the Columbine shooting. The band at Columbine High School is commissioning a piece in memory of the students who lost their lives. “(Stories about) people whose lives have been changed or influenced by music (can be quite interesting),” he said. Floyd also said he would also like to see more stories about concert groups, the benefits of making music, the contributions that bands can make culturally, socially and otherwise. “Music is very socializing,” Floyd, also the director of the Austin Symphonic Band, said. “It brings people together to prepare the music. People work together with the same agenda towards the same goals (doesn’t happen a whole lot in society now days). They share common interests and experiences.” Paula Crider, former director of the Longhorn Band and currently a director at The University of Texas attributed part of this lack of coverage to insufficient understanding by reporters and photographers of the music. “It’s difficult to suggest topics relating to music for those who do not have a sufficient understanding to comprehend the magnitude and/or subtleties of expression contained in musical performances. Quite often the human interest angle gleans some readership.” Clarinet player Kathy Gloden said even the ordinary can yield some interesting stories if reporters are willing to go beyond the surface. “I would like to read about where the bands are playing and what pieces they’re performing. I would also like to see photos of the groups in concert (indoors and out) to see what their uniforms look like. I guess it would be an interest in comparing what they do to our band and other bands in our immediate area.” Fall 1999
Andy Davidson, director, Westlake HS (Texas) [1984] Randol Bass (Dallas, Texas) [1995]
Out of the ordinary
When the Austin American-Statesman heard of a football player, Oscar Tovar, in a nearby town that was also the band’s drum major, they knew they had a human interest story that was worth reporting. Peggy Vlerebome’s story focused on the personality of the student who “bucked conventional wisdom” in an area with a very successful music program.
Fall 1999
WilDrew rum d son, Ir ving r, majo xas) e HS (T ] 2 [199
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