Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • April 2016
9
Planning For the Fall Marching Season
Randy T. Gilmore, Owner/President, Marching Show Concepts, Inc./Center X Productions, Inc.
It is often times difficult to think
about marching band in the midst of
concert festival season, jazz band, solo
ensemble, spring concerts and the
other program concerns that bombard
us during the winter months. There
are however, a number of ways to get
a “head start” without imposing on the
other functions of your program.
This time of year is a great time to
debrief your marching staff or reflect
yourself about the things that worked
well and those that did not during
the past season. Write them down! A
few minutes defining breakdowns in
technique, programming, music level,
instrumentation concerns and difficulty
levels can pay huge dividends when the
process picks up again.
Another
major
off-season
opportunity that presents itself is
the repair and preparation of the
marching band’s rehearsal area and
equipment. Spring is a great time
to reseed those worn out locations
on the practice field. Repairing
observation decks and towers, drum
major podiums, pit trailers, and any
rolling stock should be a priority.
Organizing storage area and repairing
PA and other electronic equipment
can also be done. Keep in mind that
this work does NOT need to be added
to your “to-do” list. Delegating such
responsibility to booster parents or
other knowledgeable people in these
area is a must!
As the musical program for the new
season takes shape, Spring is a very
good time to analyze tempo demands
and choreography that may need to
be incorporated into your program.
It is important to take time to analyze
what is BEST for your students’ level
of achievement. Just because the
neighboring school has a particular
system in place, does not mean it is
right for you and your students. Begin
to determine exercises and movements
that will help your students both
physically and musically during the
new season. Incorporating other
staff members and possibly dance
professionals available locally may be
a way to begin developing higher
expectation for your students
Increasing tempos, the integration
of more choreography and physical
demands of carrying large and small
instruments for extended periods of
time has brought the role of physical
fitness to the forefront and has become
a priority to many marching bands.
Many highly competitive groups
and drum corps around the country
have recognized that the demands of
performances and rehearsals require
a new level of aerobic and muscular
fitness. These groups have gone well
beyond the normal push-ups and the
brief morning runs and calisthenics
to developing a total fitness program.
Many have gone so far as to utilize a
fitness trainer to help them throughout
their season. In the off season, take the
time to analyze the muscular demands
of certain instruments and work with
knowledgeable fitness instructors
or your physical education staff to
develop an effective program to ensure
your students become more fit. Your
students’ stamina will increase resulting
A few minutes defining
breakdowns in technique,
programming, music level,
instrumentation concerns
and difficulty levels can
pay huge dividends...
Another major off-season
opportunity that presents
itself is the repair
and preparation of the
marching band’s rehearsal
area and equipment.
Increasing tempos,
the integration of
more choreography
and physical demands
of carrying large and
small instruments for
extended periods of time
has brought the role of
physical fitness to the
forefront and has become
a priority to
many marching bands.
