The Yellow Board

Still dreaming about band

Posted by Klaactu on 1/12/2021, 8:05 pm

I've been retired eight years and I still have dreams (and a few nightmares) about band. Before the alarm went off this morning, I dreamed I was a band director at a school where the Supt. was from one school where I taught and the Principal was from another. It was almost time for our Spring Concert to start, and I was still typing my Spring Concert program. Thank goodness for alarm clocks. Does anyone else have dreams about band?

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by BD on 1/16/2021, 10:41 pm, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

Mine involves UIL Marching Band Sightreading.

Another dream involves me passing out our UIL music so I can teach it on the bus on the way to UIL C/SR.

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by Sometimes on 1/14/2021, 8:11 pm, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

The first couple of years after retiring I had maybe one a month. Most were pleasant and I still kind of miss teaching. A few nightmares happened every now and then.

As I've gotten further from teaching (5 years retired now), the dreams have become less frequent at about maybe one every three months.

My last gig at a middle school before I retired, THAT was the real nightmare. Truly.

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by TYB Host on 1/14/2021, 10:17 am, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

I have them, but I noticed something early on about these types of dreams. First,the band hall doesn't look the same. The office looks somewhat different. The bands don't sound the same at all. The rehearsals are unfocused and without a plan, the assistants are confused and unmotivated. And of course, the person portraying me in the dream is clueless, overly emotional, and generally out of control. Nothing about my teaching resonates in the dream.

However, the dreams often feature some of the best kids I taught, and some that were just regular b flat band members. And together they are those who are causing the problems.

I've decided, "to heck with this dream." It's not me, and this never was me.

Hey wait...maybe that's what my dream is trying to tell me. Maybe this dream is trying to remind me who I was in reality and what I tried to do as a teacher, especially when I look at the world these days and think teaching kids the right way to grow up must not have been important. No, because we care this much and we tried this hard, it did make a difference...

So I celebrate the dream's reminder and the good-conscious-stirring memories I enjoy when I wake up.

Another thing I've noticed is that I drink a lot of coffee in the morning...strong coffee. This dream is usually the one that wakes me up. Maybe my body is telling me it needs coffee! Here's your band dream! Wake up!

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by xbdxbd on 1/14/2021, 8:53 am, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

Retired for six years...no band dreams.

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by OP on 1/13/2021, 9:02 pm, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

Isn't it interesting that most nightmares talked about here are about discipline, and most of us had those situations in real life and they can't be cured by an alarm clock. Second place was about the stress leading up to performances and all the details we band directors have to iron out. In our business, there is no excuse for mediocrity and no substitute for perfection. To be on time is to be late: to be early is to be on time. Uh oh. I'm preaching to the choir and primed for another nightmare.

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by Whisper Key on 1/13/2021, 5:35 pm, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

One dream I've had several times over the years - I show up to work and find out the entire UIL marching show was mysteriously changed overnight. Staff and students are running a totally different show they know very well, while I struggle to figure out what's going on, looking like an idiot in the process.

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by RC on 1/13/2021, 3:30 pm, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

I am still teaching, few more years til retirement. I had one dream that I still remember to this day.

We were at concert contest and it was our turn to go to the warmup room. I needed to use the restroom, so I sent my kids on to the warmup area. Well, I leave the restroom to meet the students, but I can't find the warmup room anywhere. I am looking everywhere with no luck. Our warm up time passes, then our performance time passes, and I am still looking for the room! I think I woke up after that, but that was stressful!

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by helpless on 1/13/2021, 2:04 pm, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

Yess, I always dream about the kids not listening to me at all. I am having to yell and even say shut up. So weird because my classes are very good for the most part!!

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by Barry hURT on 1/13/2021, 12:06 pm, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

I am glad to read this thread. I thought I was the only one that still had band dreams. I have been retired several years and still dream about band periodically---no recurring dreams but still quite often. I also still wake up around 6:00am every day--no alarm clock needed. My body thinks it's time to open the band hall!!

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by Kilgore Trout on 1/13/2021, 8:51 am, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

Two recurring dreams.
1. We are about to march out to start our contest (or first game, or first festival) and suddenly I realize we haven't even STARTED to learn the show! No idea how to even march out onto the field, no idea how to line up, etc...
2. Trying to get a rehearsal started (or a concert contest, or we are in the warm up room) and the kids WILL NOT SHUT UP! WILL NOT EVEN PAY ATTENTION TO ME despite my waving my arms, tapping my baton, eventually yelling at the top of my lungs.
(Note - I am NOT a screamer/yeller...and my bands are generally pretty docile and well-behaved)

I'm about 3 or 4 years away from retiring. You mean these WON'T go away?!?!

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by GG on 1/13/2021, 7:54 am, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

Yes, same dream over and over for years now. It's the week of UIL C & SR. I realize I've only rehearsed one song, have not paid entry fees, forget to send a bus request and sightreading, well, I haven't even gone over that.

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by retireder on 1/13/2021, 6:46 am, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

Yep. Usually doing a clinic and no one will sit down or play.

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by Rococo on 1/13/2021, 12:39 am, in reply to "Still dreaming about band"

Yes. I am retired and I dream about band most nights.

Re: Still dreaming about band

Posted by As Well on 1/13/2021, 10:03 am, in reply to "Re: Still dreaming about band"

I've been retired for nine years and I still dream about band. Usually its about descipline scenerios.

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