Sound of America Honor Band

tubadude08 · Post by **tubadude08** » Tue May 10, 2005 2:03 pm

About a week ago I was informed that i was accepted into the Sound of America Honor Band which will tour Europe for over 20 days this summer. Although i am over joyed that i get to go, i am in deperate need of some money, because the costs are around $4,000, so it is not cheap. If anyone has any idea of how i could rais money, or if you would like to make a donation to me, or even sponsor me, it would be greatly appreciated. For any information about the trip, or me, or anything, email me at rsorenso@stetson.edu

Thanks again

Ames0325 · Post by **Ames0325** » Tue May 10, 2005 2:50 pm

depending where you are it might work to do a benefit dinner. Get friends and family and local businesses to donate items to the dinner. Help prepare and work the dinner and as part of the evenings entertainment and/or as a bellringer play wellknown tunes on your tuba that the crowd will enjoy. Be sure people know what this is for and put out donation cans at the event. YOu can also see if any local shops would let you play for tips in them. See if there are others in your going on the saem or similar trips and band together to do several benefit dinners/ bake sales/ car washes. Also some local businesses(ie: Pizza Hut) will help with fundraisers by allowing for a certain percentage of their profits on a certain night go to the group needing --They usually require this to be a group but you could fprm some sort of organization with other youth in your area in similar situations.
Best of luck.

Amy

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Tue May 10, 2005 3:04 pm

Why are they going to Europe? Are Europeans dying to hear a band made up of American kids, or are they just unable to get an audience together here? Surely a musical organization wouldn't require such a gargantuan expense unless it somehow furthered the musical goals of the organization.
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Joe Baker, who already has one 'grumpy old geezer' post for today, and so will just throw the geezer-bait out there for someone else.

Never mind, I just found their website. It appears to be equal parts band & tour operator, and makes no bones about it. I'll reserve my contempt for bands (like school bands) that claim to be musical organizations but spend a fortune going on trips.
______________________
Joe Baker, who should have spent more research time before harumphing.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue May 10, 2005 3:12 pm

Joe Baker wrote:Why are they going to Europe? Are Europeans dying to hear a band made up of American kids, or are they just unable to get an audience together here? Surely a musical organization wouldn't require such a gargantuan expense unless it somehow furthered the musical goals of the organization.

I wondered the same thing, myself, Joe. Seems that Europe should have a fair number of very good bands already.

If I were going on a boondoggle, I'd pick a better destination, say, Tahiti.

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Tue May 10, 2005 3:38 pm

I was just thinking about this again. I know I'm a cranky ol' codger, but if I read their web-page (http://www.soundofamerica.org/index.html correctly, they're taking the first however-many on each instrument that are "good enough"...

Qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come, space-available basis. Because there are only a limited number of positions available in each section, we urge you to return your Application Form today!

... so it's not a contest where the winners get to go. It's basically a specialized vacation for competent band musicians.

Don't get me wrong, it's a fine thing to be a competent band musician, and I'm sure many who are going are very, very FINE band musicians. But it doesn't seem to me the sort of honor that would merit charitable contributions. I see nothing in the website to indicate that there is any special instruction taking place. Looks like they travel around, see the sights, and play a concert now and then. It is certainly a broadening experience, but the original post/solicitation made it sound as though a great honor had been earned, and in order to take part in an extraordinary musical experience he would have to raise some money.

I suspect (pure conjecture here) that the organization encourages this sort of panhandling. When I first Googled "Sound of America Band" I got about 25 hits, ALL of which were articles in some newsletter or another about how some local prodigy had been selected, and donations were being raised. None gave a description of the selection process that resembled the info on the website, but all looked a lot like the initial posting in this item.

In short, Tubadude, I'll suggest the same fundraiser to you that I suggested to my own son who wants to go to New York City with his church group: get a job!
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Joe Baker, who would donate to private lessons for a promising but poor student, but not to a vacation fund posing as a scholarship fund.

tubadude08 · Post by **tubadude08** » Tue May 10, 2005 3:56 pm

please do not reply to my comments if you are going to do nothing but bash the band or the organization, because even if you looked at their website you still have no idea of what is actually going to happen, so if you dont want, or care to help me then dont respond, and i do have a job, but my money is due my june 1, and i only have 1100 saved, there is still quiet a bit left, also while we are rehersing at the college, we will recieve 3 master classes my professional musicians, 2 private lessons, and be allowed to attend two classes so please only respond if you have something helpfull or constructive.

Thank you

tubadude08 · Post by **tubadude08** » Tue May 10, 2005 4:00 pm

Im sorry if that last comment came across as kinda rude, and im sry i did not mean for that. But please just respond if you wish to help me.

Thank you

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Tue May 10, 2005 4:04 pm

tubadude08 wrote:please do not reply to my comments if you are going to do nothing but bash the band or the organization, because even if you looked at their website you still have no idea of what is actually going to happen, so if you dont want, or care to help me then dont respond, and i do have a job, but my money is due my june 1, and i only have 1100 saved, there is still quiet a bit left, also while we are rehersing at the college, we will recieve 3 master classes my professional musicians, 2 private lessons, and be allowed to attend two classes so please only respond if you have something helpfull or constructive.

Thank you

Sorry, TubaDude. You are not permitted to censor the comments on this board. Joe is simply expressing an opinion. If I read his post correctly, I believe his complaint is directed more at the Sound of America people than it is at you. And as for responding "only if you have something helpful or constructive" remark...I believe Joe was doing just that.

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Tue May 10, 2005 4:10 pm

I didn't bash anything. I merely gave more complete information. Your initial post was misleading, and I'd hate to see someone give money to ANY person or organization based upon misleading information. If you can accurately describe this trip, and someone decides to donate to it, then God bless you both (and if you knew me, you'd know I don't throw that expression around cheaply).

By all means, then, tell us more about what's going on. Tell us about educational activities. Explain to us what accomplishment of yours, or specific opportunity opened up by this tour, should cause us to want to pay for it. Make your case. But don't leave false impressions, as I believe your statement "I found out today I was accepted" does. Not a lie, to be sure; but it certainly left ME thinking you had taken part in a competitive audition. Anyone else out there get the same impression?

Besides, with all the enemies I've made being a cranky old codger, the more critical I am the more money you'll probably collect!
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Joe Baker, who thinks the trip sounds fun and somewhat worthwhile, but doesn't yet see enough reason to donate toward it.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Tue May 10, 2005 4:45 pm

I got a similar letter in the mail back when I was in high school.

In any case, good luck on the fundraising, and have a good time on the trip!

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Tue May 10, 2005 7:08 pm

I'm really, really, really, really, really sorry for expressing a preference for Tahiti over Europe. Can you ever forgive me?

Shockwave · Post by **Shockwave** » Tue May 10, 2005 7:21 pm

Yes, it's a scam to sell a trip to parents, but it works. On a lesser scale, look at the "Disney Magic Music Days" trips that countless schools participate in. After perfoming for the entertainment of the guests at the Disneyland Hotel, the children then get to perform for the guests of Disneyland itself after first being given their tickets to the park which were included in the cost of the trip. They are free to enjoy the park for the remainder of their day after their performance obligations are fulfilled (the pay full price for the tickets). Also included in the cost are admission tickets and fees for an awards ceremony at another amusement park, and fees for the organization arranging all of this out of the goodness of their hearts.

Kids who are left behind get to suffer through their half empty classes and get to see the beaming faces of their friends as they listen to all sorts of wonderful stories about the thrills they missed. Parents know how bad a kid feels being left behind so they cough up the money. It's all a clever scam to sell things that are absolutely unnecessary.

-Eric

dopey · Post by **dopey** » Tue May 10, 2005 7:38 pm

i've been told about those trips that its more so, if you pay you go.

I got those same things last year, and this year.

They are really good to brag about and show uninformed people.. and if I HAD 4k to throw around i'd prolly go, but as things are I have more important(needed) things to do with 4k..

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Tue May 10, 2005 9:51 pm

Chris, if it makes you feel any better, let an old coot fill you in on something: everytime something supposedly features "...with the West Ladeeda Symphony Orchestra", it doesn't really mean that the real members of the orchestra will all be there. Even in li'l ol' Knoxville Tennessee, half the events I've been to that were supposedly some choir accompanied by the KSO actually had 90% of the orchestra replaced by subs. I'd bet my bottom dollar that's exactly what will happen with the LSO. No offense to your band, but if the worlds best HS band showed up at their doors, why in the heck would a world-class Symphony Orchestra play with them? My bet: sub city, and less than first call.
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Joe Baker, who's been kind of cynical today, but as far as he knows hasn't been wrong yet!

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Tue May 10, 2005 10:04 pm

Shockwave wrote: On a lesser scale, look at the "Disney Magic Music Days" trips that countless schools participate in.
...
Parents know how bad a kid feels being left behind so they cough up the money.

Not even George Washington was ever SO right on the money! And what of the kid whose parents just no stinkin' way CAN cough it up? One year my daughters were both in the same choir. This choir took a trip that cost $800 per student. I couldn't have paid a tenth of that, so my girls didn't go. But it gets worse -- the director made it clear that any student who wasn't making the trip wouldn't be considered for solos, since their concert music and their trip music was the same! In effect, this group had made their choice: they were a travel club that also sang. I've never been any more angry on behalf of my children.

We've been all through this trip crap before; the directors are worried that the kids won't want to be in the band, or won't work as hard, if there's not a trip to reward them with. Although it puts me at odds with some directors who I really very much admire, I just don't buy it. My son's band has had one overnight trip in two years (after a late contest they stayed in a hotel one night before making the 2-hour bus trip home -- ridiculous, but at least they only charged each student $20), and the band has grown steadily in both size and quality. Give the students music they can understand, and help them to grow in their understanding so they can do more challenging music. Give them goals to shoot for, and recognize them when they achieve. The best kids will beat down the doors to be in band.
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Joe Baker, who thinks schools should have "travel clubs" so the kids who just want to travel won't get in the way of good music programs.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Tue May 10, 2005 11:14 pm

Shockwave wrote:On a lesser scale, look at the "Disney Magic Music Days" trips that countless schools participate in.

I was going to mention the same thing. Disney particularly offends me in that they ditched the Disneyland Band so that they could make money by having school kids pay to play at the park.

I've performed in so many venues that they start to blend together. The view from the audience is markedly different from one place to another, true, but on the performers' side, they really are awfully similar -- whether you're in Ohio or Oslo. Lots of hustling around, loading & unloading, changing clothes, being buried in the bowels of whatever arena or concert hall that you're in that night. Even the hotels start feeling the same (except for a surprisingly cheaply-decorated Super 8 in Kansas City).

Back in my HS and college days, I paid less money each summer to perform more often over a greater land mass for more appreciative audiences than this Sound Of America trip. Come to think of it, I probably paid for my six summers for the same cost as one Eurotrip.

What am I rambling about??

When it gets down to it, I feel that performances have very little to do with the venue, and a LOT to do with the audience and the quality of the performance itself. Overseas trips make for thicker photo albums, but that's about it.

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Tue May 10, 2005 11:40 pm

yeah, if everyone can't afford to have fun, no one should. and yeah, i hate disney for trying to be profittable,how dare a business do that...just thought the other side of these arguments should be pointed out...

TexTuba · Post by **TexTuba** » Tue May 10, 2005 11:53 pm

Chuck(G) wrote:
I'm really, really, really, really, really sorry for expressing a preference for Tahiti over Europe. Can you ever forgive me?

Consider it forgiven and forgotten.

As far as fundraisers go, it's all a joke. For the right amount of money ANY band becomes a GREAT band to salesmen. Not to knock your group but that's all it is to them: MONEY. It's the same thing as bands being invited to play at bowl game parades(Rose, Cotton, etc.) If you've got the money they'll let you.

Ralph

Joe Baker · Post by **Joe Baker** » Wed May 11, 2005 12:15 am

MikeMason wrote:yeah, if everyone can't afford to have fun, no one should. and yeah, i hate disney for trying to be profittable,how dare a business do that...just thought the other side of these arguments should be pointed out...

Mike, I'm the last guy to say no one should get to do more if they've earned more dough. It doesn't bother me in the least that some kids can afford to go places my kids can't. The problem is when participation in a public school music program is limited because a kid's parents can't afford a trip. The two aren't rightly related.

As for Disney, they didn't invent the vanity press; they merely extended it to music performance. Who actually sits and listens to these bands, anyway? I've never been to Disneyworld, but I can't imagine paying the kind of jack it takes to get into that place and then spending my time listening to some High School band play "Asleep".

Is there really an audience for these things, other than band parents?
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Joe Baker, who has never been accused of opposing the right to earn a profit, but thinks doing so by exploiting the naivite of children is pretty low.

Matt G · Post by **Matt G** » Wed May 11, 2005 12:12 pm

I've seen Disney from both sides.

When in middle school, we played there (it was a day trip Tampa to Orlando).

Joe Baker is right in his assumption. No one (not even the band parents) sticks around to listen to these bands when they play the sit-down gig. If a band is marching around the park, they get attention because the other "guests" of the park can't move anywhere from around 3:00 - 3:30 pm every day.

Now, I used to go into the parks while I was working there as a student musician or just get in because we got tons of free passes from the local university marching band getting lots of time there. The Walt Disney World Band (World Band for short) kicked major ***. They could swing hard when they wanted and play Grainger well on the next tune. Some excellent tuba players used to play in those bands. All of the other players were quite excellent and pedigreed as well. Problem is, very few people would hang around to listen to them either.

Problem, the kids who come to the parks would hardly ever be exposed to these bands. The DMMD coordinators were also musicians who would "work" with the band and sometimes they would bring in a local educator for a "clinic". They would have been better served having the kids sit down and listen to the World Band. But no, they didn't.

Those kids never even got exposure to the college bands when in season. Disney normally just shuffled them through to do the 3 o'clock parade. In fact, Disney has figure out how to really manipulate these poor kids. Only local bands really benefit, because they can jump in and out just for the parade and the kids can use the tickets received at their own discretion.

The kids who don't live local I liken to bloke's comment about Europe. There are plenty of kids whose parents have never been to the Tragic Kingdom and they don't have the cash. I've seen plenty of kids from areas around the country who traveled a good distance to play 3 tunes and they look pretty star-struck when they see some fiberglass buildings and trees. I bet a good number of those parents feel that this is an acceptable expenditure because it is an educational experience.

Now, as a band student who went on a trip every year, I can tell you this. Every student in the band went on the trip. Either through personal fundraising or "scholarships" (the band director would simply give the money to those who didn't have the means) every kid was able to go. This took two things: a large booster budget and reasonable trips.

I don't see a ton of merit in trips, but the students enjoy them. A good director will find an appropriate venue that rewards students the best. A local director up here took his HS band to do a performance in Vienna. I think that the out of pocket for each student was about $300. They at least played to a packed house at some intenational competition.

I think that Disney continues this deal because of the "package" deal. They are a far better marketing organization than the average band festival.

Just think how much money those bands could put toward other things if a trip wasn't in the way...