What's Behind the Music?

As a member of the Kennedy band, we have many things go on in the year. We have marching band season, pep band, and concert seasons, as well as ensembles that happen throughout the year, such as flute choir, show choir combo, and jazz band. When we go and perform at different events, or places in the city, we have people that come up and ask us to play different songs, such as what's popular on the radio, old classics, or simple songs such as Happy Birthday.

What these people don't understand, is what is behind the music. They don't know how hard we practice, how many variations there are to simple tunes, or how hard it can be to play something As a group, by simply sight reading it. (This is what it's called when musicians are given a sheet of music, and they read through it a first time. Often, while playing with a group, people get lost, and it doesn't sound too good.)  Our director can't just say "Okay band, play Uptown Funk," and we do it. We don't know the notes, the rythem, or the key. These are essential to successfully play a song. 

Asking us to play something without practice first, or music in front of us would be like asking a baby to be born, then go run a marathon. It's like asking a kindergartner to do algebra. We have to learn and practice first. This is why we practice daily. Some days, we only get to a few measures. Other days, we focus on getting runs, usually a while after we have been practicing the songs. We spend about two months practicing for a concert, then put those songs to rest. Then the process starts all over again.  

It seems tedious and pointless, but as musicians, we love it. We find joy in spreading the art of music. We view our fellow band members as family. The band room is our home. Seeing somebody find happiness, and enjoy our music is what makes the hard days worth it. 

As much as we would love to play your friend Happy Birthday, or play the cool songs on the radio, we just can't. Maybe we will be able to play it in pep band season, or maybe we will play it at a concert sometime, but we can't just play it. We may be good musicians, but we're not that good.