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Education Focus: Band Tour

Posted on 2013/04/01
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bandWhat is band tour?
A band tour is when a band goes around to various schools and gives a performance.  Usually, this is a high school band.  But a college or university band may also go on tour.  The different schools they visit may be elementary schools, junior high or middle schools, and other high schools.  They may even be colleges and/or universities.

Why do bands go on tour?
There are many reasons why bands go on tour.  For one thing, going on tour lets the band be exposed to multiple situations, giving them practice playing for these different audiences.

Also, a band visiting schools with younger students can serve as a source of inspiration for the children.  They can enjoy a short concert and learn about different types of music.  The band members can be role models for the younger students.  They can see what is possible if they join the band and are diligent to practice their instruments.

On the other hand, visiting colleges gives the band students a glimpse into college life.  The band students can also find out about study programs at various colleges.  They can start to consider their future.  They can begin thinking about what they are going to do after high school.  Furthermore, a college visit gives the band the chance to perform for the university music department.  There they can receive feedback and constructive criticism to help them improve as musicians.  If some band members are especially talented, they might even be recruited to attend that college.  They might get a scholarship or other incentive as a result of band tour.

When does a band usually go on tour?
A band usually goes on tour sometime in the spring.  When the band has a tour in the second semester, the band has plenty of time to practice several pieces of music.  They can build up a repertoire. Also, a spring tour gives the band time to raise the necessary funds to make the tour possible.

Where does the band go when they go on tour?
Where a band goes when it’s on tour depends in part on how much money they have available.  Usually, the band tours the local elementary and junior high/middle schools.  When picking colleges to visit, the band usually goes to schools that are within a reasonable driving distance.  If the tour involves overnight stays at a hotel, then they probably will not go further than a day’s drive.

How long is band tour?
The length of a band tour is another thing that is restricted in part by the funds that are available.  Longer tours cost more money!  But money is not the only thing to consider.  Since the band members are also students, there is the question of how much time off from classes they can take.  Taking off more than three or four days begins to be a problem for making up missed classes, homework, and exams.

How can they afford it?
Going on tour isn’t cheap.  Staying in hotels, hiring buses for transportation, eating meals, and filling up the gas tank are all expenses that must be covered.  Consequently, the band must raise enough funds to cover these costs.  The band has various options for earning money.  They can hold bake sales and car washes.  They can participate in a musical marathon, where people promise to pay them so much money for every hour they play.  They can have a concert.  All these are methods the band has for earning money for the band tour.  Even so, the band usually doesn’t have all the money they need for the tour by the time they are ready to travel.  So there is generally a per-student fee associated with the tour.  This fee might be reduced or waived in certain circumstances.  For example, if there are several band students in one family, maybe they might get a discount on the fee total.  Or if a student is a hardship case, then he might not have to pay the fee.  But most of the time, the per-student fee is reasonable enough that all the band members are able to go on tour.

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Writing Assignment: At a Concert (Solution)

Posted on 2012/03/24
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at a concert

1.    Where is this picture taken?
This picture is taken in a concert hall, or a large auditorium designed for musical performances.

2.    What do you see on stage?
On stage there is a piano (a concert grand piano), a man sitting at the piano, several chairs, and a number of music stands.

3.    What do you call the man who gives instruction to the musicians?
The man who gives instructions to the musicians is called a conductor, or a director.

4.    Whom do you see on stage?
On the stage we see a man sitting at the piano (a pianist).

5.    What is he doing?
The man is playing the piano.

6.    Who is listening to the pianist?
The audience (the concertgoers) are listening to the pianist.

7.    Where are the people listening to the pianist sitting?
They are sitting in seats on the main floor, as well as in the gallery (balcony) and box seats.

8.    How many balcony levels are there?
There are four levels of balconies.

9.    How are the people dressed?
The people are dressed formally.

10.    Who helps the people find their seats?
An usher helps the people find their seats.

11.    What kinds of music can you hear at a concert?
At a concert you can hear all types of music:  classical music, jazz, rock music, popular music, folk music, etc.

12.    How can the people know what music is being played?
The people can know what music is being played by reading the concert program.

13.    What is a break during a concert called?
A break during a concert is called an intermission.

14.    Why is there usually a break in the middle of the program?
There is usually a break in the middle of the program so the musicians can get a rest, and the audience can get up and stretch their legs, use the restroom, etc.

15.    What does the musician play as a special request after the end of the listed program?
After the end of the listed program, the musician will often play a special request, called an encore.

16.    What does the audience do to show they like the performance?
The audience claps their hands (applauds) to show they like the performance.  Applause helps the musician to know his performance is appreciated.

17.    What sign might you see in the lobby if there are no more tickets available?
If there are no more tickets available, you might see a “SOLD OUT” sign in the lobby.

18.    What do you call a musician’s first performance?
A musician’s first performance is called a debut.

19.    Where are the good seats usually located?
The good seats are usually located in private booths (box seats) in the balcony, or in the front rows near the stage.

20.    Where are the cheap seats usually located?
The cheap seats are usually located in the uppermost balcony, or in the very back of the auditorium.

Paragraph:  At a Concert

When I was in college, I took piano lessons for a couple of years.  My piano teacher also happened to play violin in the civic orchestra in the city where my university was located.  One time she had some extra complimentary tickets for one of the orchestra’s upcoming concerts, so when she asked me if I would be interested in going, I said yes, and gratefully accepted the free ticket.

The concert hall in which the orchestra performed was located in the downtown, in an old but stately auditorium.  I got there shortly before the concert was supposed to begin and located my seat.  Shortly after this, the members of the orchestra began coming in, one by one, and taking their place.  I looked for my music teacher, and saw her seated among the other violinists.  Then the musicians readied themselves and the first clarinetist played a note, by which all the other members tuned their respective instruments.  When everyone was properly tuned, then the conductor came on stage and ascended the podium.  He brought the orchestra to attention by rapping his baton on his music stand, and the concert began.  The repertoire of the orchestra had classical music, which I enjoyed, and it seemed like every musical piece that they played evoked some vivid scene in my mind.  Before I knew it, the concert was over, bringing to a close an enjoyable Friday evening.  It was time to go home.

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Writing Assignment: At a Concert

Posted on 2012/03/23
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at a concert

Vocabulary

auditorium
concert hall
stage
lobby
musician
gallery
balcony
aisle
usher
director
conductor
piano
pianist
music
music stand
conductor
intermission
ticket
program
encore
applause
debut
repertoire
sold out
box seat
general admission

1.    Where is this picture taken?
2.    What do you see on stage?
3.    What do you call the man who gives instruction to the musicians?
4.    Whom do you see on stage?
5.    What is he doing?
6.    Who is listening to the pianist?
7.    Where are the people listening to the pianist sitting?
8.    How many balcony levels are there?
9.    How are the people dressed?
10.    Who helps the people find their seats?
11.    What kinds of music can you hear at a concert?
12.    How can the people know what music is being played?
13.    What is a break during a concert called?
14.    Why is there usually a break in the middle of the program?
15.    What does the musician play as a special request after the end of the listed program?
16.    What does the audience do to show they like the performance?
17.    What sign might you see in the lobby if there are no more tickets available?
18.    What do you call a musician’s first performance?
19.    Where are the good seats usually located?
20.    Where are the cheap seats usually located?

Paragraph:  At a Concert

Have you ever been to a concert?  How was it?  What kind of concert was it?  Did you go alone, or with some friends?  Write a paragraph describing your visit to a concert.

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Education Focus: Musicals

Posted on 2012/03/12
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curtain call

For today’s education focus, I want to take a brief look at musicals.  A musical is like a stage play, only the acting is interrupted from time to time with singing – either by an individual (a solo), by a pair (a duet), or sometimes by three people (a trio) or several (a chorus).  So, a musical will have not only a cast (the group of actors/actresses performing the musical), but a pit band or pit orchestra as well.

A musical is a common extracurricular high school activity.  Although it represents a big commitment for the students who participate – rehearsals are usually scheduled for every day after school, or in the evening – there are benefits as well.  Musicals give students a chance to try their hand at performing arts – specifically, at acting and/or singing.  Additionally, most musicals also have choreographed scenes, giving at least some of the performers the opportunity to dance.  Even if a student is not interested in being on stage, there are other opportunities for participation as well:  a student may participate in the pit band, playing his instrument and thus helping to provide the musical accompaniment; a student who is good with his hands may choose to help design and/or build the set for the musical; some students may prefer to work with costuming and stage makeup, while others may prefer to work with the technical aspects of production, such as lighting or sound.

A musical has various acting “parts,” or roles, like a play.  “Tryouts,” or auditions, are held to fill the cast by determining which students are suited for which roles.  Likewise, there may be auditions for the pit band, or the band director may simply tap the top chairs in the band to be in the pit band.  Other participants, such as those involved in production,  set construction, or costuming, don’t have tryouts, as there is usually enough work to go around for any and all who want to contribute their labors behind the scenes.

After the cast has been selected, the actors and actresses must memorize their lines, dancers work on choreographing their scenes, those in the costume department start whatever sewing needs to be done, and the set is designed and constructed.  When the performers have learned their lines, everything is ready to come together for rehearsal.  As I mentioned earlier, rehearsals are held nearly every day after school or in the evening, so the cast, pit band, and production crew get plenty of opportunity to work with each other and make adjustments as necessary.  These rehearsals are not in costume and tend to be less formal, but as the date of the actual performance draws near, a “dress rehearsal” or two will be scheduled.  A dress rehearsal is formal and conducted in full costume and makeup, to make things as close to the actual performance as possible.  This dress rehearsal gives the actors the chance to get used to performing in costume and makeup, take care of any last-minute costume changes, etc.  Pictures may also be taken during a dress rehearsal, so as to have the greatest freedom in getting pictures without having to worry about disrupting an audience.

A musical generally has a number of performances, spread out over several nights; for example, performances might be Friday and Saturday nights for two or three weekends.  The first performance is called “opening night,” while the last performance is “closing night.”  At the end of the final performance, there is usually a “curtain call,” where all the performers and supporting crew (pit band, production crew, etc.) are recognized, typically bowing to the audience and receiving a token of appreciation, such as a bouquet of flowers, from their admirers (usually Mom and Dad!).  Then the end of the musical is celebrated with a cast party, where those involved are rewarded for their hard work.

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