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| We need to ditch the monkey suits, lest they think us an orchestra. |
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| Meredith Willson |
WHEREAS, From the works of Robert Meredith Willson to the marches of Karl L. King, Iowa has a long, strong, and proud tradition of band music; and
WHEREAS, music education within school band programs has repeatedly been proven to positively influence student achievement in all curriculums; and
WHEREAS, community support for quality school music programs shows a dedication to the sense of pride and community that school bands can provide; and
WHEREAS, school band programs demonstrate that a well-rounded music education can be key to a student’s success in life and learning; and
WHEREAS, the weekend of May 9 and 10, 2014 are state band contest days; and
WHEREAS, recognizing organizations like the Iowa Bandmasters Association and the Iowa Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association will encourage music excellence throughout our state; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, that the House of Representatives recognizes May 9 and 10, 2014 as Iowa School Band Days and congratulates the talented and dedicated young musicians who are members of Iowa’s school bands.
That's Iowa School Band Days, not orchestra, not choir, not opera. These, too, are very important parts of the cultural fabric of this state, but it is our bands, in schools and communities across Iowa, in towns large (Cedar Rapids) and small (Durant and many others) that contribute more to the richness of our state than all these others combined. Thousands of young people participate in our band program every year, gaining invaluable musical (and just plain life) experiences. And yet, to quote Rodney Dangerfield, "We don't get no respect."
When the average person on the street thinks of bands, s/he imagines young people in crisp, clean uniforms appearing in parades or supporting athletic teams on the school gridiron or court (I've always wondered what it would be like if all those players were required to attend concerts). Of course, the old argument goes that many, MANY more people are going to see and hear the band at halftime than will ever attend a concert. But that seven-minute performance (yep--seven minutes; I served as a timer for marching band contest) is a microcosm of what we do and what we play.
Orchestras are becoming museum pieces, seeming to think they can thrive on repeated performances of the music of the past. The band, as we know it--the concert band or wind ensemble--is a relatively new medium. As Frederick Fennell, legendary founder of the Eastman Wind Ensemble once stated, "Band music of this kind (referring to the second movement of the E-flat Suite) did not exist before Holst." New band music is being commissioned that an amazing rate from composers such as Julie Giroux, Frank Ticheli, Mark Camphouse, and many others. Household names? Nope. Great composers? Yep. The most-often performed female composer of our time, Jennifer Higdon, got her start playing flute in band and has written several pieces for the medium. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Corigliano has written for band. Another Pulitzer winner, Karel Husa, has written many works for a medium he loves, and arguably his greatest work is Music for Prague, 1968--a band piece.
And yet, despite all of my protestations, every time I tune into Iowa Public Radio (another of our great cultural institutions, don't get me wrong), I am confronted mostly with orchestral music and opera. It's "Symphonies of Iowa," "Live from the Met," "Arias in April," and on, and on. The "Iowa Arts Showcase" focuses on opera, opera, opera.....there's nothing wrong with that, BUT how about "Bands of Iowa?" How about live broadcasts from the Iowa Bandmasters Conference in May, featuring the talents of hundreds of our musicians, young and old (caveat, the Quad City Wind Ensemble performed there this year)? There is so much more that can be done.
All that being said, visit any community in the state for a week and I'd wager you'll find a band concert every night within 60 minutes of your destination. Concerts here in Dubuque (as well as in Waterloo) are held every Thursday, in Bettendorf every Friday, Tuesdays in Cedar Falls, Thursdays and Sundays in Cedar Rapids. And these are just the "big" cities. Travel to Boone, Iowa (just west of Ames) the second Saturday in July, and you can hear community bands all day long!
We do a lot more than gussy up and march, and we're very proud of it. All we need is a little acknowledgment from those "in the know." IPR (and others)--are you listening?
WHEREAS, music education within school band programs has repeatedly been proven to positively influence student achievement in all curriculums; and
WHEREAS, community support for quality school music programs shows a dedication to the sense of pride and community that school bands can provide; and
WHEREAS, school band programs demonstrate that a well-rounded music education can be key to a student’s success in life and learning; and
WHEREAS, the weekend of May 9 and 10, 2014 are state band contest days; and
WHEREAS, recognizing organizations like the Iowa Bandmasters Association and the Iowa Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association will encourage music excellence throughout our state; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, that the House of Representatives recognizes May 9 and 10, 2014 as Iowa School Band Days and congratulates the talented and dedicated young musicians who are members of Iowa’s school bands.
That's Iowa School Band Days, not orchestra, not choir, not opera. These, too, are very important parts of the cultural fabric of this state, but it is our bands, in schools and communities across Iowa, in towns large (Cedar Rapids) and small (Durant and many others) that contribute more to the richness of our state than all these others combined. Thousands of young people participate in our band program every year, gaining invaluable musical (and just plain life) experiences. And yet, to quote Rodney Dangerfield, "We don't get no respect."
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| Karl L. King |
When the average person on the street thinks of bands, s/he imagines young people in crisp, clean uniforms appearing in parades or supporting athletic teams on the school gridiron or court (I've always wondered what it would be like if all those players were required to attend concerts). Of course, the old argument goes that many, MANY more people are going to see and hear the band at halftime than will ever attend a concert. But that seven-minute performance (yep--seven minutes; I served as a timer for marching band contest) is a microcosm of what we do and what we play.
Orchestras are becoming museum pieces, seeming to think they can thrive on repeated performances of the music of the past. The band, as we know it--the concert band or wind ensemble--is a relatively new medium. As Frederick Fennell, legendary founder of the Eastman Wind Ensemble once stated, "Band music of this kind (referring to the second movement of the E-flat Suite) did not exist before Holst." New band music is being commissioned that an amazing rate from composers such as Julie Giroux, Frank Ticheli, Mark Camphouse, and many others. Household names? Nope. Great composers? Yep. The most-often performed female composer of our time, Jennifer Higdon, got her start playing flute in band and has written several pieces for the medium. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Corigliano has written for band. Another Pulitzer winner, Karel Husa, has written many works for a medium he loves, and arguably his greatest work is Music for Prague, 1968--a band piece.
And yet, despite all of my protestations, every time I tune into Iowa Public Radio (another of our great cultural institutions, don't get me wrong), I am confronted mostly with orchestral music and opera. It's "Symphonies of Iowa," "Live from the Met," "Arias in April," and on, and on. The "Iowa Arts Showcase" focuses on opera, opera, opera.....there's nothing wrong with that, BUT how about "Bands of Iowa?" How about live broadcasts from the Iowa Bandmasters Conference in May, featuring the talents of hundreds of our musicians, young and old (caveat, the Quad City Wind Ensemble performed there this year)? There is so much more that can be done.
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| The best way to hear a community band! |
We do a lot more than gussy up and march, and we're very proud of it. All we need is a little acknowledgment from those "in the know." IPR (and others)--are you listening?
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