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Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by 1C solution seeker on 3/7/2023, 10:56 am

I would like to keep my commitment to middle school UIL C/SR, and I know judges are only supposed to judge what we put on stage--but right now, we don't have any tubas in our 7th/8th grade band. Can we still be successful at contest? I do have a bass clarinet, timpani player, and a strong baritone/trombone section.

I've asked if anyone in the low brass section would want to try tuba, and no one jumped at the opportunity.

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by 4add on 3/10/2023, 7:32 pm, in reply to "Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

I’ve never had an oboe or bassoon. I’ve never taken a tuba or a horn. I’ve taken as few as two percussion. I’m about to take two flutes.

I ride the line between 1C and 2C. I’ve never made sweepstakes, but we’ve made improvements and been proud of ourselves. I’m in the same region as some very affluent and prestigious programs and it can be a real struggle to remember that judges are human.

I’ve had feedback that was unwarranted and feedback that I had to own as my Own weaknesses, but it was rarely because of instrumentation. Take the band you’re comfortable with.

Of course, I’m over here fretting about my own upcoming instrumentation right now, so I know it’s easier said than done.

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by Respectfully on 3/22/2023, 11:35 am, in reply to "Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

There's a world of difference in judging and tone expectations between a 1C/2C middle school band with no tubas and a 4A/5A band with no tubas.

It's much, much easier (yes, still possible though!) to make a first division as a MS band with missing sections than with a HS band.

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by done it on 3/8/2023, 7:10 am, in reply to "Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

Played American Riversongs once - the Tuba player was AWEFUL - Contra Clarinet - I made the tuba unplayable at Contest and told him to hold it. STRAIGHT 1's - Quote - "GREAT TUBA SOLO!" - Just pretend - Find that ONE kid that can hold things well. (yes there are critics to this - and there are judges with eyes that see) Sometimes there really is addition with subtraction.

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by Chris P. Bacon on 3/8/2023, 4:19 am, in reply to "Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

My 5A HS NV band has NO tubas, NO Trombones. I do have 1 baritone, 1 bari, 2 Tenors and 2 bass clarinets. Even with this, low Winds can over power and we have to be careful with balance. We are playing...

Plaza De Toros - Story
Japanese Pictures - Mixon
All for one, one for all - Chamber's

30 kids in my NV group and we got straight 1's at our pre uil. Yes it's a conservative concert, but covid took a hit in our district and we are just trying to teach fundamental concepts for success. You can most definitely be successful if you have balance, blend, good intonation, dynamic contrast and that the kids are just prepared essentially.

Best Skill friend!

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by DesertJazz on 3/7/2023, 11:56 am, in reply to "Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

I'd like to say that in theory you can get away with this. If you're playing pieces with unison baritone/tuba lines and your baritones can play and project you may be able to survive. Changing that Bass Clarinet player to a Contra and having someone on Bari Sax would also help.

If you play everything correctly with a group like that, good balance/blend, right notes, dynamic contrast, etc. it is certainly possible. Just know that there are judges out there who you've taken a hit from as soon as they realize you don't have a tuba sound... (Not right, but you have in some minds)

As someone said below, you might try someone else to tuba. Flute players have similar facial features to good tuba players and might be successful. I know a lot of people who have been successful with a flute to tuba move!

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by ragincajun on 3/7/2023, 11:44 am, in reply to "Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

Pick music that has majority unison low brass/low reed parts and make rewrites when you need to. You can make it happen. I went to UIL C&SR with no clarinets and still achieved sweepstakes. It is possible, just takes planning ahead and proper music selection.

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by ovwrkdnundrpd on 3/7/2023, 11:28 am, in reply to "Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

I've done it before with the bass clarinet moved to first row. Upped their dynamics to blend. We got one's. So It can be done.

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by xbdxbd on 3/7/2023, 11:25 am, in reply to "Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

Don't limit switches to low brass...

Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments

Posted by Count Bubba on 3/7/2023, 11:42 am, in reply to "Re: Success at MS UIL C/SR while missing instruments"

The best tuba in my NV band plays flute in the varsity band.

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