Posted by Leland on January 29, 2002 at 23:16:34:
In Reply to: orchestra players in marching band posted by Tom on January 29, 2002 at 14:53:54:
Yeah, from reading here, it seems that band makes people stupid and has absolutely no redeeming musical value.
I will only say that there are music directors who, well, suck, and a number of them happen to run marching bands. Others run concert bands, community bands, chamber orchestras, quintets, or are soloists (they run their own individual music program).
Poor musicianship -- and leadership -- occurs at various times from the farthest percussionist to the grippy end of the baton. We all know that.
Those of us who have decided to earn a paycheck through music also know that we've been required to do things that we would rather have had canceled. Find ways to approach those situations in a positive manner, and in a way that still makes you want to excel. Nobody wants to hire a finicky musician ("Harumph, *I* am too good to perform in your quintet.").
Lastly, stop wasting so much energy on hating things. The whole world is full of imperfections that would grate at our nerves if we allow them to do so. Get over it, focus on enjoying the things that you find worthwhile, and make yourself happy.