That doesn't benefit your program.


Every program is different. Unless you are there to witness that particular program, you can't state this as a fact.

When do kids in the second band ever get to know how the HBD conducts or rehearses the ensemble, if they're never in his ensemble? What if they move up the next year - they've got more of a learning curve to fit in to the ensemble style.


The same could be said for kids in middle school who are not in high school, yet. The same can be said if a new head director comes in. Kids can adjust to a new conductor if they understand the fundamentals of music and ensemble technique.

Furthermore, what about the good-but-not-great kids - they can spend 3-4 years in your program and never have the HBD as their conductor on a concert even a single time?

Even the good-but-not-great kids can move up to the top ensemble if they put in the work and individual practice to improve. Upperclassman in the top ensemble graduate and if the type of student you are describing is not able to even mov up to one of the lower chairs in the top ensemble, they are not as good of a player as you are saying and it would be a disservice to that student and ensemble for him to be misplaced. It doesn't mean that the student is a bad person or bad band member. it just means that they do not have the skills to play the literature that the top ensemble is performing and there's nothing wrong with that.

This also enables your ABD to get off the podium during their own ensemble and work more with sections.

No, that's not what the conductor of the ensemble needs to do at that time. Section rehearsals can be held before or after school if the assistant really wants to do his or her own section rehearsals.

There are literally no downsides to allowing your colleague to conduct a song once in a while.

This point is actually true, but it depends on the program and how the head director structures it.

Yes, you can "do whatever you want" but I highly recommend you do what is in the best interest of the program, which is to be a TEAM of directors, not a boss with underlings.

Ah, now we get to the real "chip on your shoulder." I'm sorry but someone has to be in charge and that includes taking all the heat when things go wrong. So, are you willing to take an equal amount of blame and whatever comes with it? Are you willing to be equally responsible for any and all paperwork and any meetings that come with it?

Do you think *only* Jerry Junkin conducts the UTWS? Have you seen an honor band program? They all allow their assistant directors to have a piece on the program as well.

Jerry Junkin? Now we're going to drag a university director into this? Okay, what about the late Frederick Fennell or the late William Revelli? did they only conduct the top ensembles? Yes, on Honor Band concerts, everyone gets to conduct. This is or may be a once in a lifetimne thing for a band, though some bands have had repeat performances. Hey, when the All-State Bands perform, does the director of the second band also direct the top band or visa-versa?



It takes a team.

Yes, it takes a team. And, on all teams everyone has a position. The quarterback calls the plays, the receiver catches or runs the ball or the quareterback and choose to do it.

P.S. Become a head director and get your own program and run it your way.