I'm no marching band expert but I do appreciate that the 110 is required to memorize all of their music. Always seems kind of junior high when I see a college band (marching or basketball pep) having to use sheet music on their instruments during a performance.
Maybe the required time commitment isn't as demanding at schools where you see this/they are just happy to have a band etc. but I respect that level of dedication OUr musicians have to learn the music and choreography (is that the proper term?). It is really lame when you are watching say the NCAA tournament and there are schools playing their fight songs and you can tell they are referencing the sheet music. If you are playing in the tournament you probably played that song a lot in the regular season as you likely won a lot of games.
As I said,I'm a big Drum Corps fan.
One of the topics that always comes up at Drum Corps competitions is how "unprofessional" college bands that march with sheet music look.
Don't know if they still do,but I know the bands at some big schools like Notre Dame and PSU marched with sheet music.
A number of college bands play pretty much the same show all year,so how can you not be able to memorize your music.
It is also startling to see how little discipline some college bands have.Out of step, slouching, etc.,except when they are actually performing on the field.
Once the 110 gets into formation they are "on"
What I really find amazing is that some military bands march with sheet music.
That's their job.
I have a friend who marched with the Marine Corps (Commandant's Own) Drum and Bugle Corps.
He said they spent every winter at Guantanamo Bay learning their shows for the upcoming year,including memorizing music and drill.
Last Edited: 9/22/2016 9:53:21 AM by rpbobcat