Here's why the statement is problematic:
Dismissive of Hard Work: It disregards the immense effort put in by everyone involved. There are countless factors beyond anyone's control that can influence a performance, from rehearsal space limitations to unexpected challenges.
Undermines Growth: The focus should be on continuous improvement, and even a seemingly borderline performance holds valuable learning opportunities.
Devalues Success: Success can be defined in many ways. A band that achieves a high score is certainly successful, but so is a band that demonstrates remarkable improvement or exceptional teamwork. This statement diminishes all but the top scores.
Let's consider a more positive approach:
Focus on Growth: The goal should be to constantly refine musicianship and performance quality. This journey involves learning from every experience, even those that don't result in the highest ratings.
Collaboration through Feedback: Constructive feedback from judges, regardless of the score, is a valuable tool for improvement. Directors and judges can work together to identify areas for growth and celebrate successes along the way.
Respect the Effort: Every band, student, and director deserves respect for the time and dedication they put into their craft. Let's move beyond statements that belittle their efforts and instead celebrate their achievements, big or small.
By fostering a culture of encouragement and continuous learning, we can empower directors, students, and judges to achieve their musical goals. This is far more productive than dismissive statements that focus solely on avoiding "borderline" performances.
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