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The Top 10 Things to Do Right Now To Clean Your Marching Band

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#1 Edit the Music on staging in the drill, you may look at re-orchestrating
As band directors, we know what the students are and the phrase to create a better balance. This may take some
are not capable of doing well. Whether you have a custom creativity, but will alleviate the frustration of continual
written show, or one that is purchased “off the shelf,” balance problems. Another thing that may lead to improper
we know the abilities of our students. It becomes our balance, is the range that the instruments are written in.
responsibility to ensure that our students can sound good Have the students play in ranges that they are comfortable
on whatever they are asked to do. One of the freedoms in and that project well outdoors. Finally, it’s important to
of marching band is that the judges do not follow a score ensure that all students on the field are able to contribute.
like they would during concert season. We are free to This may mean that modified parts are written for the
make changes at our discretion to help the band sound students that are still developing their ability to move and
better. Much like the drill edits, we must make decisions play at the same time. It’s important for their development
on whether or not the payoff is worth the amount of time that they are given an opportunity to improve their skills
that it will take to clean. Often times what may sound instead of being told to not play at all.
good on a MIDI recording may not ever sound good with
an actual marching band. Sixteenth note runs are always The tips above are intended as a tool to help improve
exciting, but getting large numbers of students throughout your marching band during the middle of the season. Some
your entire band program to play them perfectly is often of these may be implemented at the beginning of summer
an unrealistic goal. This often occurs in the woodwinds, band rehearsals to expedite the progress of your students.
while the brass are playing fortissimo whole notes. This If you have any questions about any of the tips listed
can be easily edited by having the keyboards in the front above, please email Bob Chreste at bcbandsolutions@gmail.
ensemble play the runs while the winds focus on playing a com. Have a great rest of your season!

loud chord in tune. If you have issues with balance based

Bob Chreste is the Director of Bands at Weiss High School in Pflugerville, Texas. Prior to starting the Weiss band program in 2017, Mr. Chreste was the
Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugar Land, Texas where he helped the marching band qualify for the UIL State Marching Contest
twice. Before that, Bob was an associate band director at Cedar Park High School. Under his direction, the marching band won numerous BOA Regional
class championships, was a finalist at the 2010 BOA Grand National Championships, and was named the 2011 UIL 4A State Marching Band Champion.
Prior to Cedar Park, Bob began his teaching career as an associate band director at Berkner High School in Richardson.Mr. Chreste is currently on the
brass faculty for the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps based in Canton, OH. He spent several years on the brass faculty for the Carolina Crown Drum &
Bugle Corps based in Fort Mill, SC. Bob has also served in a caption head role for both The Cadets and the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps.
Bob is also an active music arranger, drill writer, and clinician in Texas with his own small business, BC Band Solutions, which provides services for band
programs across the United States. Mr. Chreste is an active clinician and adjudicator across the country for both marching bands and concert bands. He
has also recently become a judge for the Winds Division of Winter Guard International. Bob received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of
Houston in 2000 and his Master of Music degree from Sam Houston State University in 2003. Bob’s professional affiliations include TMEA, TBA, TMAA,
the Association of Texas Professional Educators, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Bandmasters Review • September 2018 23 Texas Bandmasters Association