Marching Band Camp...?

Question

Okay, so i have a problem. I´m fixing to be a freshman this year. I play clarinet:). And for marching band auditions i made 2nd chair:/. I was uber excited but now i´m scared cause all the upper classmen are mad at me for doing good. The only kid that beat me is fixing to be a senior and he´s a drum major so that was to be expected. I start marching band camp in august for about 3 weeks and i think we drill and such for about 4 hours: 7-11. The upperclassmen plan to challenge me but we all have the same private lesson teacher and he says i can easily beat them cause i´m better than them. I´ve heard them play and not to sound cocky but their scales suck and that´s what we challenge over. Should i just let them beat me so they won´t be upset or should i just play normally and beat them? Idk, i don´t wanna upset them. And what exactly should i expect from Marching Band camp? Running? How exactly do we drill? Is there any way to prepare? If you´ve gone before tell me what to expect.

Answer 1

why?

Answer 2

No way, don't let them beat you. Try your hardest at your challenge, if they feel like it. And if you were chosen second chair, that means that you are good.

Last year as a freshman, I got third chair...not for marching band but for symphonic band. I also beat some upperclassmen and one other freshman; one of the upperclassmen being a senior. The two girls that beat me are juniors, but are amazing.

Have pride that you are good at playing the clarinet. If you know that they suck at their scales, then they definitely don't deserve second chair. Personally, I think that they are just jealous of you. If they think they deserve second chair, then they should actually practice their scales.

So don't back down on them!

I wasn't in marching band, sorry. I know that they do all of this stretching though, and are very flexible. (at least that is how it was at my school) I heard that it is tough and there might be times where you will want to quit, but don't quit. It's worth it, and I wish that I got the experience to try out marching band.

And by the way. I play the clarinet as well. :)

Answer 3

being a freshman makes one anxious. don't worry

Answer 4

you should respect them because they're your upperclass men but do NOT let them beat you. if you are better than they are, then just play like you normally do. it's not your fault they don't practice enough. i don't know if your camp runs, but if i were you i would lift weights & run before you go. get your body conditioned. drink A LOT of water while you're there. don't wear dark clothing. they shoulg give you your drill and then you'll do then set by set until everyone gets it then you'll play whilst doing drill. or at least that's how we do it. i wish you the best of luck and even if you get discouraged for some reason stick with it! band is an amazing part of your high school career.

Answer 5

All you can do is your best and if someone is better than you, then okay.  But don't be a pushover.  You probably will need some help. If first chair is going to be a drum major, then that leaves you as section leader.  In some schools, I don't know how you are.  Making friends with the upperclassmen is probably your best option.  You can be co-section leaders so that they can teach you what you don't know but you can still be the best at playing.

Every band camp is defferent because every director is different.

We practice from 8 till 5.

A lot of it is inside and in sections.

But a lot of it is outside in sections.

We never had to run [though it was threatened].

And it's mostly doing drills and learning the first few days and then you get into marking sets and learning to play the music with the marching.

Expect your first day to be full of how you hold your horn.

Answer 6

Play normally! You have the skill, and don't be afraid of being a show-off. Right before you practice, do like 4 scales nicely, smoothly, and fastly. (Just not Bb & Ab because those are easy)

I'm a freshmeat gal too! (Baritone) I don't know what to expect. We have 2 weeks of camp though. But your days aren't as long as ours.

Fundementals Camp: 9AM - 4PM

Band Camp: 8AM - 8PM

Then when school starts it's tuesday and thrusday 4-7PM, which saturday rehersals at 9AM-9PM!

Answer 7

Dont let them win and just do your best.  if they want to beat you they will have to work harder and that is what everyone in the band is supposed to be doing

we usually start out band camp by learning how to march at first and then we start marching and playing our scales ...that's just the first two days.. and then the band teacher gives us our spots and we start putting up the show so i dont think you are going to be running at all because we dont.

in the after noons we just practice our music

Good luck and just try to beat them ... let them work harder at it

Answer 8

ok. sorry if i repeat some answers.

If I were you, i would consider myself lucky. I also play clarinet in my marching band, and I am going to be a junior this coming year. BUT, my section is EXTREMELY good. So even though I know I am good, better than most, at clarinet, i am playing second part. I just have to deal with that. But just because you're a freshmen, that doesn't mean you don't deserve your spot. Do NOT let them beat you. If anything, it will improve your section by making them practice more so they can beat you. lol. But as upper classmen, they should understand that the better people are higher chairs, no matter what grade level. But.....you should understand their frustration, with you being younger, AND better. It's kinda hard for them to deal with. So let them sulk, and do your best!!!

As for what you should do, just know your music REALLY well. idk if you get it beforehand like my band does, but my band director expects us to know it by band camp. At least pretty well. Memorization comes later. And he didn't expect us to know how to march at all. You're a freshmen, you don't know anything. lol. no offence. So I don't think you have to physically prepare. But expect it to be hard. So do prepare if you're worried about it.

I hope i helped! I know how scary it is coming in as a freshmen! Believe me!

Answer 9

I wopuld disagree with respecting them. You don't have to respect them just because they are older. Respect is earned and if they are acting that immature then they don't need to be respected and in our band they would be looked down upon and placed on the same level as freshmen.

The fact that your good means that you will be one of the leaders in the future. Keep trying your hardest and keep your head on straight and people will notice.

Band Camp will most likely be used to work on your marching fundamentals and then incorporate it into drill.  You may also work on the music both as a band or a section. At our camp we even have marching competitions among the sections (and the drumline always wins. Yay)

Answer 10

band camp is about getting a jump start on the marching season. you need to learn marching and drill techniques, all your music for pregame, show, and stands, get to know and bond with your fellow band members. the physical aspects of marching can be grueling, and anything you do beforehand that helps your stamina and endurance will help, (running, pushups, etc.).

congratulations on doing well on auditions! keep pushing yourself on your playing-it looks like you are now the catalyst to motivate the rest of your section to work harder. be respectful of all members of your section, but always play your best!

if you have any questions, feel free to email me via YA

Answer 11

I know from experience that you should not give in to what upperclassmen demand from you. I was made Drum Major in my sophomore year. I had some really bad 12th grade enemies that year. But the thing is, even if they don't like the position that YOU EARNED for yourself, you should still strive to do YOUR best, and not what they want your best to be. I'm a senior now, and am on my third year as Drum Major. My band has a lot of respect for me now, and has seen what I have done with it.

You have the potential to be a leader in your band, either as section leader or drum major. Don't let that slip away from you. Don't let the upperclassmen demand respect from you, especially since they probably don't deserve it. Lead by example, do exactly what you think is right, do your best.

As for band camp... at my school, our instructor focuses on marching and playing technique. It was always the band members' responsibility to run or do other exercises either before or after band camp just to warm up or get fit.

Answer 12

Do your best even if they hate you. I don't understand that. In my upper band class, a freshman beat out all the others auditioning on clarinet for All-State. He kicks brass! And nobody hates him for it, we love him for it. It's good for the school band, outside and inside, especially during competitions. As for the camp, don't stress yourself. I don't think there's really any way to prepare. It won't be as hard as you think it is but it will be challenging because you're new. Just start eating healthy and getting general everyday exercise by running or walking. Drill will confuse the h**l out of you and putting music to it is not any easier, but at some point it will all click... and it will feel good! Bring lots of water, if they provide coolers to refill, it will go very quickly, especially if you're working in heat. Before games and competitions, drink tons of water to avoid heat stroke or dehydration. I would know, I come from Arizona. So don't worry, have fun, and seriously don't stress about those guys.

Answer 13

Its only because you are a freshman. I had this exact same problem last year. I was a freshman last year and i play flute and i got third chair. I got crapp the whole year. Its nothing personal to you, they just think freshman are nothing [which isn't true]. I didn't put up with it and i showed them that i was the same as they were and i became friends with a lot of them. I am a sophomore now and they don't make fun of me at all. Just keep your ground and you will be okay.

Answer 14

don't sweat it! just simply be yourself. you can't help it if you are better then them. just play at your level, and if you are still ahead of them, that's they're fault, not yours!

every band camp is different. some bands run, some do crazy exercises, etc.

generally, there might be a point in practice where you might run for punishment or something. but i dont know how your band director does it. you will probably learn drill after you learn all the basics to marching. and probably towards the end of practice you will review music, but that is just what we do.

don't be scared or shy! be as outgoing as possible, without being cocky. band is about having fun, and pepping everybody up for a game and etc. so you need to be fun! but, you do need to respect the band director, and the upperclassmen.

just remember, drink plenty of water before you go out to practice, and during practice. it will be hot! and be sure to stretch well by yourself, unless you do a group stretch. just don't worry too much.

:)