For high school marching band directors, choosing the music that will form the backbone of your competitive marching band show is a critical task. The music sets the tone for the entire visual and emotional experience, and it will influence the band’s engagement, skill growth, and the judges’ scoring. Here are five essential questions to guide you through the music selection process, ensuring your band is set up for both success and enjoyment.
1. Does the music tell the story of my show concept?
Before you consider anything else, the music must align with your show’s fundamental concept or theme. Music is a powerful communicator and can evoke strong emotional responses. Ensure that the narrative, mood, and overall ‘feel’ of the music you select resonate with the storyline you’re trying to convey through your show’s design and movements. If your show is about exploration, the music should carry the grandeur of discovery. For a reflective show, you’ll want music that can create a gentle, contemplative atmosphere. The emotional cues in the music should signal to the audience and judges what they see through the performance. However, if the music doesn’t tell your story, even the most intricate drill won’t save the day. Therefore, ensure that selected music includes a variety of contrasting elements – fast and slow, upbeat and intense, etc…
2. Is the music within the total length requirements of my competitive circuits?
Competitive circuits have specific requirements for total performance length. Therefore, for the music to be competition-ready, it must adhere to these guidelines without the need for time-consuming or potentially unsatisfactory truncations. It is crucial to collaborate with your music arranger early on to ensure the selected pieces can be wisely adapted to meet these constraints. Moreover, sufficient time for developing and refining your show, drill, and musical performance is crucial for success. This can sometimes be as challenging as selecting fitting music within the time frame.
3. Does the music pacing support effective visual design?
A successful marching band show is a beautiful amalgamation of sight and sound, with each element complementing the other to create a spectacular whole. When analyzing potential music selections, consider the pacing and phrasing. Are there natural crescendos and moments that will allow for effective visual design, such as a crescendo leading to a flag toss or a quickening pace that matches a fast drill sequence? The right music sets the stage for the visual program by streamlining drill writing and boosting performance impact. Additionally, musicians need to be grouped strategically, and rests should be placed thoughtfully to allow visual designers ample time for transitions between segments. Consequently, this ensures students are positioned on the field to play together seamlessly.
4. Is the music written in a way that supports educationally appropriate skill development?
Your marching band is not only an entertainment ensemble but an educational one as well. The music should be a tool for developing and showcasing the students’ talents and progress. Choose music that challenges your students while also playing to their strengths. An overly difficult piece might be demotivating and affect the overall confidence of the band, while a very simplistic score might not push them to achieve their full potential. Assess the complexity of rhythm, range, and technique to ensure that the music provides growth opportunities and that the band program shines in its educational mission. Key selection is also crucially important to a functionally sound music arrangement!
5. Do you like the music?
Lastly, don’t overlook the simple question of personal enjoyment. You and your students will be spending a significant amount of time with this music. If you don’t like it, the band’s enthusiasm will likely be affected, which can lead to a less commanding performance. Take your passion for the music into account. How strongly do you believe in the story it tells? Your genuine enthusiasm can be contagious and can inspire your students to connect with the music on a deeper level, ultimately enhancing the quality of the performance.
Conclusion
Selecting music for a high school marching band show involves blending artistic vision, practicality, educational value, and personal enjoyment. Answering these five key questions will help you create a memorable, competitive, and rewarding show. When choosing music, like a performance, it’s about blending creativity and strategic planning—an art in itself.
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