"Go!" Marching Band Show (no score)

Hi, I just joined and I understand if I don't get feedback right away (or at all!).

This is my second marching band show and its called "Go!". It is supposed to represent the busy lives American's lead through forward moving ideas and kinda fast tempos and rhythms. Anyway just think "go" haha.

I don't have a score because so far I have only created an audio file using finale however I am going to pitch this show to a high school soon and would love some feedback mainly about the flow of the show. (instrumentation, ranges, etc. will have to come later once I start arranging). I listen to a lot of drum corps and I am going for a contemporary marching band sound rather than classical/pop/etc.

Anyway thanks for listening and I look forward to your thoughts/comments/insults/whatever haha.

Jeff

oh and there are 3 movements (they don't have names, just 3 movements)

okay, so i am having trouble with the midi etc. so i just posted the scores that i'm just posting the scores that I used to create these audios. I apologize, they are an absolute mess, but I've found this is the best way (that I know of) to get a nice full playback for marching band. so disregard all the notes and just have a listen! haha Thanks

Movement I Audio 11.23.08.MUS

Go! Mvt. II (rev 11.27.08).MUS

Mvt. III 11.3.08 number 2.MUS

A marching band show? Umm, please write real music.

^stfu

It would be nice if you had a decent score though. Most marching bands do use music at some point and the directors will no doubt want a usable score.

Hi, I only looked at the first movement but thought I'd leave some comments.

First off, disregard the first response..obviously.. Now the piece has some obvious problems...the flute is frequently playing in the staff..if you want it to ever be heard it is going to need to be above the staff almost all the time in a marching band performance. Next...there isn't very clear melodic material and while that is ok sometime, I don't feel the rhythmic or harmonic content is interesting enough to make up for it. The percussion is very very busy and I'm not sure you really always understand what it is doing. You have moments where you have captured a standard marching band sound or have good ideas going on, but I think to accomplish the type of sound you are going for, you need to have these types of things in mind

Hey Jeff,

I'm really, really glad you posted a marching show. I look forward to listening to it when I get on my Finale computer, so keep those files up until I can post a response.

And like two or three others might have already said, ignore all the stupid people. They have their place in society... mainly picking up our trash and other janitorial work.

A marching band show? Umm, please write real music.

Umm, stop being a troll. Marching band has evolved into its own genre of instrumental performance, and can include classical great works, or contemporary music. I've heard marching bands that sound better than some great wind ensembles. A lot of work goes into writing a full ensemble marching show, as much work as any major symphony. You don't think we marching band composers and arrangers put everything we have into our works as well?

Marching bands are an extremely expressive medium, in combination with the visual aspect especially.

And for my real comment, though the score is a mess like you said, that's an easy fix. This is great so far, I can tell you've studied what goes into a great show. I really don't know what else to say honestly, I like it.

Ok, here's my one critique: Your percussion parts, both battery and pit need some serious attention. A lot of this stuff isn't really designed for a player, but more for audio instead, especially on snare. It ranges from real easy beginner stuff, to nearly impossible if some of these triplet rolls are done single stroke.

It's also very easy for woodwinds, not many runs or technical passages.

Marching bands and all of the subcategories (drum corps) are not *real music*. I spent two years in a top 12 DCI drum and bugle corps. A VERY good corps, I'm not about to say that marching band is "omg as good as Brahms". It isn't . It isn't real music.

Even if marching band shows aren't "real music" by your standards, somebody has to write them. Let Jeff do what he wants.

Hey Jeff,

I'm impressed with your percussion writing. I think it stands out really well.

You've got some great swells and some moments where musically, the ensemble can really create some expression and bring people to their feet at the end.

My only concern is your middle movement. The original idea comes back too soon for me, there's not enough resting and patience in the music. Maybe you could give us a solo or duet between horns, trumpets, or whatever somewhere in the middle movement. If you're writing this for a specific ensemble in mind, you might find out from the director (if you don't know the players you're writing for) who has the strongest chops to take a solo on.

Also, you have some great percussion stuff going on in the first movement. I'd like to see you carry that over into maybe 32 bars at the end of movement two/beginning of movement 3 with just the battery and front ensemble. If you're moving through all the pieces without stopping in the show, your wind players will thank you.

One final note. The end to movement two. No. Just no. It overpowers the end of the last movement. Take that ending and put that on the end of the third movement (it rocks!). Try making the faster section like a middle section to an ABA form. Let the fast section intensify into a full ensemble chorus of your theme, slow (half time, high step push), then let it die. Then you're ready for your battery and front ensemble to rip it up and finish the show with your third movement.

Great work! I look forward to seeing a video of the show on youtube. Let us know how it all works out! :)

Thank You very much for all of your feedback: I really really appreciate it.

Just a few notes,

A lot of you mentioned the score being messy or parts being undoale (snare/flute). This is because the scores I posted are only for audio purposes. What this means is i am "manipulating" finale to create an audio for the director I'm pitching this show to. Basically ignore the score, and just listen.

Also, for those of you who made comments about the lack of melody/musicality/complexity etc., You are aboslutely right. I agree. The truth about a lot of contemporary marching shows (drum corps or marching band) is that there is a very easy formula to follow and really the shows aren't that hard to crank out. but like someone said, Someone's got to write them! I enjoy writing these shows (as simple/boring as they can be) but please understand I write a lot of other music in a lot of other genres as well.

Thank You again for all of your comments! Very much appreciated!!!

You know what actually isn't real music? A dog.

Debatable.

Marching bands ...are not *real music*

...marching band is "omg as good as Brahms". It isn't . It isn't real music.

Gregg-o ... tone it down a few notches. Keep up the aggressive tactics and we'll have to put a muzzle on you. :whistling:

..

You know what actually isn't real music? A dog.

Debatable.

:laugh:

and really the shows aren't that hard to crank out.

Maybe you should specify GOOD SHOWS aren't had to crank out.

Not calling yours one of the other, but I know from experience the difficulties that are involved in designing a music program for highly competitive marching band.

Okay, so I have the first thirty two measures of the score for this show done and I have attached a PDF of it. (the score I posted before was just for audio purposes)

I am working very hard to get the score for all three movements done, but its just taking time. I would LOVE some feedback on what I have so far because the truth is, I'm a percussionist! And my knowledge of brass/winds is limited.

If you see unreasonable intervals/ranges/articulations etc. it would be greatly appreciated if you could post those things so I can fix them and use that knowledge as I continue this show.

Thank You!!

Jeff

PDF as of 12.21.08.pdf

At two measures after rehearsal B, I'd notate that flute/trumpet/bells line as dotted quarter + whatever else you have, and the next measure as eighth note + dotted quarter + whatever else. That's a personal preference though.

I've only listened to the first movement (taking only in consideration the first 32 measures), but wow! Such power! I love your perc writing, it really accentuates everything else. I like your "rhythmic games," too. Lots of potential.

Thank You! i appreciate that feedback. Good word on the doted quarter etc.

Oh i have attached the full first score for the opener (current as of yesterday) if anyone is still reading this thread lol

PDF as of 12.29.08.pdf

A marching band show? Umm, please write real music.

I'm pretty sure if John Cage's 4'33" is considered REAL music, that a marching band show would easily fall under this category.

watch what you say. because the human race is easily offended. :P

lol thats a great point good word