#neib

This weekend I participated in an “honors” college band called New England Intercollegiate Band. I had learned a lot from the guest conductor, Malcolm W. Rowell, most of which was things I already knew except explained a little differently. He concentrated a lot on teaching us how to “react” to other groups in the band, which is not only listening to each other but also sharing energies from everyone in the band. It was a different way to think of it, which I really appreciated. It was also nice talking to Rowell about the music (specifically the Ives “Country Band” March, which has really difficult rhythms and note patterns- I was so proud when I could play it correctly), and I have to boast a bit: he liked my energy and spirit. It really boosted my confidence and made me work harder.

The band itself was not that great, and I think it is for several reasons, one of them being that I’m on the older edge of the spectrum and just simply have more experience than they do. Another reason is that they just couldn’t read rhythms and generally weren’t as enthused as I was. I’ve never seen a percussion section that couldn’t keep time and play rhythms as bad as these people did. For these reasons, I probably won’t do this again next year.