 Playing
in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey band can be exciting
and full of surprises. Just ask musical director Mark Van Cleave.
He plays the trumpet and conducts the nine piece Ringling Bros.
band through 12 action packed shows a week.
"Every show is a little bit
different," observes Mark. "Accompanying a performance
with live animals really keeps you on your toes."
 HIGH
NOTES
A two and a half hour performance
also tests each of the musician's stamina and playing ability.
The Ringling Bros. band plays over 100 pieces of music in every
show, in styles ranging from classical to jazz, from hip-hop to
rap and rock and roll. "Our sheet music fills a folder two
inches thick," says Mark. That's a lot of notes. Playing
our show is a real workout!"
 They're
not easy notes, either. "As a high school trumpet player,
the highest note I ever played was high C," Mark remembers.
"Here, we play pieces with notes nearly a full octave above
high C. I tell musicians, "Take big breaths!"
BIG SOUND
For a small group, the band delivers
a big sound. One reason is the electronic muscle it packs. With
two keyboard synthesizers, two electronic drum kits and a synthesized
guitar, the band can create dozens of musical sounds, including
violins, choirs and 25 piece orchestra ensembles.
The keyboardist and drummer can
also record any unusual sounds the show needs and play them at
the right moment by pressing a key or tapping a drum pad. "We
have strange sound effects you won't even hear on a Saturday morning
cartoon show!" boasts Mark.
GREAT ADVISE
Mark started playing trumpet in fifth
grade and decided to become a professional musician in high school.
What advice does he have for budding band musicians?
"Learn to read music and play
in as many types of musical groups as possible," suggests
Mark. "Remember, you're trying to make music, not just play
an instrument. Choose music that interests you."
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