Hello Friends, I have read this thread with much amusement more than anything else. Although I am aware that for some individuals, both drill work and playing is important in their life (albeit for sometimes differing reasons). Might I suggest that the concept of drill related playing was adopted from the world of "professional" military bands.
I say this having chosen to start my horn career via the military route. It really is a travesty to suggest that "nothing useful" at all, for horn playing, ever eventuates from this approach. Although precision drill was important within the context of a military band, certainly "quality" in playing was also a prerequisite (try performing the 1812 Overture on the march with the same expectations on your performance as if you were sitting). In my own experience of having performed in this genre, I can honestly say that I have developed a "good" ear for tuning, pitch, partials etc. I have also developed good endurance as well as "acclimatisation" within the context of performing under sometimes extremely demanding situations. I agree with those of you who believe that these attributes could have been developed via a more "orchestrally" focused route. However, may I remind everyone to keep an open mind to the fact that there is more than one route to becoming adequately equipped as a horn player. Not everyone will become a star. Some will get good positions whilst others will be happy with what they have achieved. I started in my school band continued onto youth orchestra then started my music career as a professional musician in an Australian military (Army) band. During this time, I did some freelance work and began some serious networking. I have been fortunate to get some extremely good gigs and perform in some world renown venues and backing some "big" names in most genres of music as well as orchestral work. So whilst the "value" of marching/drill horn playing is under scrutiny, please remember there are those of us who have travelled this route to achieve satisfying experiences and have gone on to developed as performers. Regards to all, Brian (alias Koala Bear) _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
