Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2012
23
July 21, 2012 4:00PM
Texas Bandmasters
Association Convention
Pacing to Performance:
How to Maximize Fundamentals and Drill for Success
Great Rehearsal
Etiquette
maximizes tasks:
• Create an attention
that is universal
throughout
ensemble
• What position
should they end
each set in?
• What visual/verbal
commands can be
implemented?
• How do you know
they are ready to
continue?
• Stay structured from
the beginning of the
rehearsal until the
end to maximize
every minute of
rehearsal block.
Key Reminder:
Fundamentals are
the key essential
elements to a
successful
production. As you
add elements, such
as music and drill,
fundamentals have a
tendency to weaken
and must be
reinforced. Detailed
fundamentals create
a strong foundation
to help ensembles
push further.
Kimberly Shuttlesworth, Presenter, Director of Bands, James Bowie High School
Amy Suggs, Presenter, Associate Director, James Bowie High School
James Bowie Outdoor Performing Ensemble, Demonstration Group
Getting started on the first step, each time, correctly is key
o
Set students up correctly from the beginning. Being consistent about the execution
from the initial step off will create better fundamentals
Step size and foot placement exercises will help to transfer concept to drill
o
Create an exercise sequence that you can use daily to train muscles, implement strong
step size knowledge, and maximize body carriage. Key things to remember are the
details of: toe placement, heel placement, weight transfer, and upper body momentum
change
Halfway point structures built in to block transfer to faster cleaning of drill
o
It is crucial to help create a better awareness of step size, spacing adjustments, and
correct development of shape.
Break down boxes just like you would pages of drill
o
Simple “practice steps” can be implemented to help train better foot placement,
momentum, and upper body carriage.
Fundamentals are building blocks that transfer from year to year when
implemented correctly and detailed.
Create Effective Fundamental Blocks… throughout the entire season
Drill Details…key points to maintain during duration of season
Piece together segments effectively by breaking down each set
o
Just like fundamental block, implement step size exercises, halfway points, and
practice steps to ensure correct path and development of form.
Spend quality time on each set in order to help cleaning process later
o
Getting it right takes time, and that is okay. Decide which chunks or formations
really need the quality time and donʼt be afraid to take it. It will pay off in the end.
Break the field down in to segments when necessary
o
When possible, to maximize time, use all aspects of the field to clean visual or
rehearse musical issues. If two different ideas are happening on two different
sides of the field, split the field and accomplish two issues at once.
Decide what is most important on certain rehearsal days- musical or visual ensemble
o
Get the “needs” of each category and decide how to maximize the full ensembles
time. You will not get everything done at once, but you can pace it to get the
overall ensemble to a higher level of achievement each week.
Creating strong fundamentals help students self assess and problem
solve in drill, which keeps the pacing up in rehearsals
To view the handout from this and other TBA Clinics, go to:
www.texasbandmasters.org
; select the RESOURCES tab.