The marching band is still a musical representation of the institution that the ensemble is located. The marching band serves as a large recruitment tool and an essential public relations vehicle for music departments all over (Cumberledge). Therefore, musicianship should not change nor diminish because of the type of ensemble. It’s been said that the earliest marching bands were the forerunners of today’s symphony orchestras, concert bands, and instrumental chamber music, as well as the modern marching band (Madsen, 2007, 54). The first marching bands have military origins with the sole purpose of achieving excellence and competing at extraordinary high levels of marching precision and musicianship (55). Therefore, the type of students you recruit is determined by type of ensemble you have. This is very prevalent at many HBCU band programs. The ensemble has its own character. Does the character of the ensemble promote the best in music? Does the character of the band promote academic
The marching band is still a musical representation of the institution that the ensemble is located. The marching band serves as a large recruitment tool and an essential public relations vehicle for music departments all over (Cumberledge). Therefore, musicianship should not change nor diminish because of the type of ensemble. It’s been said that the earliest marching bands were the forerunners of today’s symphony orchestras, concert bands, and instrumental chamber music, as well as the modern marching band (Madsen, 2007, 54). The first marching bands have military origins with the sole purpose of achieving excellence and competing at extraordinary high levels of marching precision and musicianship (55). Therefore, the type of students you recruit is determined by type of ensemble you have. This is very prevalent at many HBCU band programs. The ensemble has its own character. Does the character of the ensemble promote the best in music? Does the character of the band promote academic