Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2015
17
Band Directors are rarely satisfied
with the amount of General Effect
their Field Shows generate. Great
Musical Arrangements,Outstanding
Auxiliary writing and a top-notch
Drill program can still be very
disappointing if the performance
level of the band is not “Selling the
Product.” Great Execution, both
musically and visually, equals great
effect. Here are 13 tips on how to
clean your marching and musical
program in a way that will help
produce a dynamic General Effect
presentation.
1. Establish a solid pulse.
The first thing that any field
production must have is a solid
beat. One of the first steps to
the establishment of a solid pulse
is to plan and execute ensemble
rehearsals. A large semi-circle or
circle with the percussion at the end
or in the center of the form works
very well. Having every member
of the ensemble mark time while
playing will ensure visually that
the pulse can be felt. The Ensemble
rehearsal also provides an excellent
opportunity to evaluate both the
percussion and wind arrangements.
Parts are often over written for
many school groups and are often
loaded with syncopation which can
provide numerous problems for the
ensemble. Work so the rhythms
and styles match perfectly and
spend adequate time making sure
the musical transitions are secure.
When in doubt, SIMPLIFY!
2. Rehearse in the drill forms.
Still marking time, have the
ensemble rehearse the music in
the show forms. You and your
staff members should walk
around within the forms while
the field commander’s conduct, to
evaluate the presence or absence
of pulse. If there are problems,
determine the cause. Occasionally
the problem will be percussion or
tuba placement in the form and
action must be taken to correct
the problem. Sometimes the
solutions can be eye contact with
the conductor, however sometimes
the problem is more complex. If
the pit and ensemble are separate,
continue to remind the pit players
to listen back to the field battery or
winds. Telling the pit not to watch
can often be the solution.
3. Students have a natural
tendency to rush the
difficult parts!
Work with a metronome and
recording of the show music to
help resolve these problems.
4. Consider cleaning your
show backwards.
Good marching performance
depends on confidence and
confidence comes from knowing
what comes next. Consider
beginning the drill cleaning
process by going from the end of
the production to the beginning in
a phrase-by-phrase process. Since
the end of the production is often
the climax, musically and visually,
this process will build confidence
quickly. If you don’t believe this,
take notice at the next band festival
that the first thirty seconds of the
shows are generally the best part.
This comes from always starting
at the beginning of the show in
rehearsal.
5. Establish directional
changes.
Many marching errors occur
at phrase endings and changes
of direction. Carefully clarify the
technique utilized in each turn
and include them in your basic
rehearsal.
6. Work on visual attacks
and releases.
Just as in music, the majority of
drill errors come at the beginning
and end of phrases. Both the first
and last steps have a tendency to
be too short. The former because
of a lack of confidence and the
latter because band members often
anticipate the halt and stop short of
their mark.
7. March with your eyes.
Drill Design these days is as
much dependent upon knowing
how to use your eyes as it is on how
Your Way to a Successful
Marching Season
Randy T. Gilmore, Owner/President, Marching Show Concepts, Inc./Center X Productions, Inc.
