Instrument Crossovers: Seasons of Change

By Krysten Ogrizovich

The auditorium lights are slowly turned back on, as the thunderous applause of proud parents, family, and friends dies down. The students, after taking their final bow at the end-of-the year spring concert, quietly shuffle off the stage. This day marks the end of the concert season.

The natural progression of the school music program takes its next step. Almost as smoothly as the seasons change from spring into summer, the mellow classics that are played in the concert season change to the bold, uplifting sounds that are suitable for a summer afternoon parade or a fall field show. Many students look forward to the freedom of marching season. Being outside, and not confined to the band room, is a nice and much welcomed change from the wintertime concert season.

For some, this transformation does not go as smoothly as the students or the conductor would like. Not all students just move their instruments outside to practice. There are a few small setbacks in the form of new instruments and new sounds. Marching band does not just mean learning to keep a straight line, or practicing a new formation. For a few student musicians, marching band could mean learning new fingerings, or having to learn how to read a new key signature, as well as learning how to march.