[blindkid] High School Marching Band

[Heather]

Couple of things.  What instrument does she play?  Does she intend to be in 
pit band or in the actual marching portion?  Um, don't know what the guide 
dog bit was about, but she couldn't use a guide dog and march.  Well, if she 
was old enough to have one, was marching in a strait line like in a parade 
and she could get the dog to leash guide with the leash over her wrist or in 
the crook of her arm, it might work.  She would have to see how the dog did 
with all of the noise though.  It is not worth traumatizing a perfectly good 
working guide for the sake of marching in a band.  My first dog did fine 
sitting on the risers while I sang in choirs of over a hundred people, and 
she did fine on stage with small ensambles, but when we sang with the RPO, 
right in back of the full orchestra, the gong and the simbols scared her and 
she flew out of there like a bat out of hell.  I learned to have her on tie 
down back stage, as far from the orchestra as possible and she did fine.  I 
think that if I had forced the issue I would have lost a very compitant and 
steady stage dog.  How old is she?  My best friend growing up was in 
marching band and although she is sighted, she is both a marching band nut 
and very familiar with the particular abilities and challenges that I as a 
blind teen faced and she might be able to offer some suggestions.  But I 
would have to know the instrument and the type of marching involved.  For 
instance, if they do a lot of performance competitions she might have a bit 
harder time with the formations, than if she is going to be in the pit band 
for the marching band or in a parade.  Depending on her instrument she could 
link arms with someone, use a short laniard between her arm and the arm of 
the person next to her, or between their wastes, etc.  How much sight does 
she have?  If she is a partial, looking at the contrast of the uniforms and 
the surface they will be marching on might prove helpful.  Also, how loud 
her section is will be important.  For instance, if she is marching in a 
close packed bunch on a parade route, and playing a brass instrument, it 
will be harder for her to hear what is going on around her, but if she 
plays, say a wood wind and will be in a part of a formation where she is 
mostly surounded by woodwinds, then she will be more likely to hear what is 
going on.  I think that having the drum major as well as the band director 
on board will be important.  Perhaps she could talk to both ahead of time? 
I hope this was helpful.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bonnie Lucas" <lucas.bonnie at gmail.com>
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 9:04 AM
Subject: [blindkid] High School Marching Band


> Hello all you Marching Band enthusiists,
>
> Aubrie has decided that she will participate in Marching Band next year 
> when she starts high school. It will be a great experience as the 
> Centinial High School Band from Roswell, GA will be performing at the 
> White House in October. I would like to get as many hints and tips as 
> possible for marching and playing an instrument at the same time. So, if 
> any parents, teachers or students have suggestions, I'd love to hear what 
> they are. We have already spoken with the band director and he seems 
> excited to have her in the Band. He has been invited to her IEP. I have 
> talked with him about the Goodfeel music translator and he is willing to 
> try to come up with a grant for that as well.
>
> I know I shouldn't say this, but, the temptation is too great... Though I 
> am very opposed to twelve year olds having guide dogs, I am very much in 
> favor of young people participating in Marching Band!  Smile!
>
> I know many of you will have some great suggestions. Thanks a bunch.
>
> Bonnie Lucas
> 770-992-0484
> Cell: 678-480-0864
> lucas.bonnie at gmail.com
> Bonnie Lucas
> 770-992-0484
> Cell: 678-480-0864
> lucas.bonnie at gmail.com
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