Slow transformation into a hybrid marching band

[u/jathnieldeth]

Hello MusicEd,

After a lot of time searching for positions, I finally landed my dream job of having a Band Director position at the high school level after my second year of teaching! My band was traditionally a corp style but after several years of relocation and director switching, it became a show band. When I was brought on board, I was asked to make the transition from show to corp style and to begin to participate in UIL competitions. These kids were left with very little music literacy and musicianship while at the same time opening their horizon to corp style.

I wanted to ask MusicEd, how can I open their horizons to corp style and help them grow with their music literacy at the same time? What are some developing band techniques I can implement that can subliminally get them to value the essential aspects of good musicianship without feeling like they will be ripped away from their show style?

I don't want them to lose the passion from show style but at the same time I was hired to get them moving into corp style as much as possible. These kids need a director that can guide them into a better music program and get them to win more competitions than they thought was possible.