Wayne Markworth Nov 2009

The Dynamic Marching Band
Rehearsal Techniques That Work
presented by
Wayne Markworth
sponsored by
Marching Show Concepts
The 63rd Annual Midwest Clinic

McCormick Place West
Chicago, Illinois
Friday, December 18, 2009
2:30 p.m. - Room W184
Rehearsal Techniques That Work
I Rehearsal Philosophy
A) Two Important Learning Concepts
1) Spiral Learning Model
2) Multiple Learning Styles
B) Music vs. Visual Rehearsal Balance
C) Time Allotments
D) The Daily Warm-up (& Development)
II Rehearsal Goals
A) Long Range Seasonal
B) Middle Range Weekly
C) Short Range Daily
III Rehearsal Methods
A) Concepts for members
B) Concepts for director and staff
C) Individual Attention
D) Efficient use of time
1) Law of Diminishing Returns
2) Take a break
E) Rehearsal Methods Summary thoughts
1) The band director controls the rehearsal
2) Telling the students something is not teaching.
3) Understand the concepts of productivity.
4) Talk less, play more!
IV Rehearsal Etiquette
A) Foundation
B) Expectations
C) Behavior/Discipline Goals
D) Eight Expectations for Good Rehearsal Etiquette
V Rehearsal Procedures
A) Rehearsal Levels
1) Instructional Mode
2) Rehearsal Mode
3) Performance Mode
B) Rehearsal Focus - Music ~ Visual
1) One focus
2) Music/Drill Independence & Coordination
C) Field Rehearsal Routine
1) Fall in at (Parade) Rest Position Clearly define:
(a) starting and stopping point
(b) to play or not and what the goal is
(c) music or visual focus of rehearsal needs to be clear
2) Set command from Mic (or Drum Major)band comes to attention with
instruments up or down as called for. (If everyone is not ready, Band Ten-Hut or
Horns Up without impatience in voicesee if there is a problem or confusion)
3) Dont start until attention is set and 3-5 seconds of silence has elapsed to establish
focus. {The Moment of Silence}
4) Eight count count-off from conductor or Dr. Beat
5) End the move with a Plus one step (2-3-4-close) and hold position and silence.
(The staff needs to hold the 3-5 second silence as well to maintain the quiet mood)
6) Check form & spacing with eyes only on commanddo not move.
7) Adjust command from Mic (or Drum Major)make adjustments in spacing and
alignment.
8) OptionalCheck setpaint marks or step it off. Fall in at attention.
9) Rest Position from Mic (or Drum Major)

(a) First Microphone comments (one person only at a time)
(i) Give clear and brief corrections
(ii) Compliment (better, good, almost) or we need to repeat that
(b) Second Field staff makes quick comments (on field staff cue), clear and brief
(if they need time or have full ensemble commentscommunicate to mic person)
(c) Third - Mic instructions
(i) Reset back to__ or

(ii) We are going to continue and stop at __
10) Repeat - Reset - move quickly - dont need to run or be silent, sometimes ask
squad leaders to make helpful comments, field staff and mic staff can make more
individual or small group comments or Continue to next segment
11) Members should fall in at Rest Position. Set from Mic is the cue for leaders
and staff to be silent and members to be ready to move (back to #2 above).
12) When the rehearsal and marching skills have reached a good level of consistency,
each step-off should begin with a Minus one to solidify charttochart direction
changes.
13) Numbers 1 thru 9 should all be done in silence.
VI Rehearsal Set-ups
A) Outdoors
1) Circle (or arcs)
(a) Like instruments together
(b) Open spacing to develop independence and hear individuals
(c) Mix it up sometimes
2) Concert Formation
(a) Use for an outdoor concert setting
(b) or different rehearsal form
B) Indoors
1) Like concert band
2) Like instruments together
3) 1sts/leads in center or behind 2nds & 3rds (modeling)
4) Aisle in center - get off the podium and up close
5) Battery behind
6) Front ensemble in front

Outdoor Warm-up Circle
Trumpet Flute
Mellophone Clarinet
Trombone Alto Sax
Baritone Tenor Sax

Sax
Tuba Bari Sax/Bass Clar.
Sax
Outdoor Concert Formation

Cymbals
Basses Snares Quads

Battery
Woodwinds Brass
Saxophone Tubas/Bar/Tromb
Clarinet Mello
Flute Trumpet
Percussion
Front Ensemble
Chapter 6: Rehearsal Techniques
Indoor Rehearsal Set-up 1
----------------Percussion Battery----------------
Woodwinds Brass
Saxophone Tuba/Baritone
Clarinet Trumpet
Trombone
Mellophone
Flute
----------Percussion - Front Ensemble----------
Indoor Rehearsal Set-up 2
----------------Percussion Battery----------------
Woodwinds Brass
Saxophone
Bari Tuba
Tenor Baritone
Alto Mellophone
Clarinet Trombone
Flute/ II Trumpet
Flute
Clarinet III Trumpet
I Trumpet
----------Percussion Front Ensemble----------

Wayne Markworth Nov 2009

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The Dynamic Marching Band

Rehearsal Techniques That Work

Marching Show Concepts

The 63rd Annual Midwest Clinic

4) Eight count count-off from conductor or Dr. Beat

8) OptionalCheck setpaint marks or step it off. Fall in at attention.

9) Rest Position from Mic (or Drum Major)

(i) Reset back to__ or

13) Numbers 1 thru 9 should all be done in silence.

1) Circle (or arcs)

(a) Like instruments together

(b) Open spacing to develop independence and hear individuals

(c) Mix it up sometimes

(a) Use for an outdoor concert setting

(b) or different rehearsal form

1) Like concert band

2) Like instruments together

3) 1sts/leads in center or behind 2nds & 3rds (modeling)

4) Aisle in center - get off the podium and up close

6) Front ensemble in front

Trombone Alto Sax

Baritone Tenor Sax

Outdoor Concert Formation

Basses Snares Quads

Indoor Rehearsal Set-up 1

----------Percussion - Front Ensemble----------

Indoor Rehearsal Set-up 2

----------Percussion Front Ensemble----------

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