Do You Need a "Bench"?
by Terry Williams
One of the most frustrating jobs a band director has to do, is determine the number of students to include in the halftime show. The process usually begins in the spring and continues through the summer. When you finally determine the number of winds, percussion and guard to include in this year's show, you write or have someone else write for you the "perfect" show. Then, usually before you get through teaching the drill, you lose some students and have to do a re-write. You will probably have to do two or three more before the season is over.
Our coaching friends don't have the problem because they have a bench. Band Directors have been reluctant to use alternates, because we want everyone to have the opportunity to perform, and we feel guilty charging someone a band fee and then not letting them march.
Here is the Answer! Put about 10% of your winds in a line or arc at the back of the drill. These are your alternates. These students march at all ball games and non-competitive events. Their parents and grandparents are very glad to see them participating. The show is written so the alternates are related to the drill, but the ends are always left open so you can increase or decrease the number. The drill for the alternates is very simple. Usually, most of your alternates would be incoming new students who need time to develop their skills. Their drill is easy, but they are moving the same time the rest of the band does, and, depending on their skill, they are learning the music. The show is written for a set number of students, and when a hole appears because of illness, moving, discipline, no pass - no play, or any reason, you pull someone from the alternate line and put them in the hole. Since the alternate already knows the general flow of the show, the replacement could be done in one or two rehearsals.
You can imagine the ways this system could help you. Every band director who has tried it is sold on the system. Imagine being a band director in Texas, and not having to re-write your show after grades come out the first time! Or, when a student appears at your office door and tells you he won't be at the last three days of band camp because he's going to Disney World, you don't blow up. You tell the student you will have a spot for them in the alternate line when they get back. I wish I had known about this 20 years ago!
Here are some samples to show you this idea in action:
Sample 1 with alt. 220k
Sample 1 without alt. 220k
Sample 2 with alt. 220k
Sample 2 without alt. 220k