The beginners and non-UIL performing bands watch a video and answer questions about it. The UIL bands practice in sections. I give them specific things to work on each day. We send them to the practice rooms (4), the small ensemble room, stage, and in the band hall (percussion in the main part and another group in the locker area). The non music sub(s) simply walk around and monitor the kids to make sure they are not doing anything stupid. I've been doing this for years and only had one issue with a particularly troublesome group (they gave the directors trouble, too). The key is to practice this a few times before TMEA so they know what to do. This is with a middle school. So yes, practicing IS an option if you do it right. The only reason we don't do it with the other groups is because at this time of they year is because there is no set music selections they are working on (for them it is mainly method book stuff that might vary from day to day). However, they do this sort of stuff when we go to C&SR since we are usually working on spring concert stuff at that time.
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