do you 2A Band Directors get anything done with your band classes?
I have now completed month #8 at this 2A high school. I teach music/band pk-12.
So far, this struggling band program that I inherited has faced:
1. A late start (September) with f2f teaching. 2. A rotating, skeleton crew with band classes due to students being sent home for quarantine and also many kids choosing to do virtual. 3. A loss of 5 teaching days due to the snow storm. 4. A loss of 5 teaching days due to a District shutdown due to a cafeteria employee testing positive for covid. 5. A relentless Athletics/Cheer game and practice schedule. 6. Stock Show. 7. Bonding with the students has been difficult, I have seen them very little, so many absences. 8. This new 6 weeks, I will only see band classes 16 days due to STAAR blitzes. __________________
Really good characterstic sounds as well as rhythmic accuracies are beginning to happen grades 6-12, but we are moving at snail's (wearing combat boots) pace. Beginners have an incredible rehearsal etiquette but they are just now getting to Hot, Cross Buns. Performing groups can almost get through the Concert March. Other 2 tunes, nope. No C&SR this year for us.
The last UIL Sweepstakes for this ISD...1975. The current high school band is at a 7th grade performnce level, and they (admin, community) are expecting a Marching Band next fall. I don't see this community having the patience to have this band program grown from the ground up. And circumstances beyond my control have not allowed me to do my magic with performance skills: tone, articulation, flexibilty, technique, etc.
I signed my contract for 21-22 but I don't want to get stuck in an unworkable situation. I have the best Principal ever that has supported our band program despite our struggles. My concern - how long before I am seen as an excuse-maker?
Thoughts, feedback?
Re: How...
Posted by The Lone Arranger on 4/3/2021, 10:18 am, in reply to "How..."
I'm in a similar situation, except we do march (didn't go to UIL this fall), and in the entire 97 year history of the school there is a grand total of....ONE sweepstakes....and before I got here the average rating for contests in the school's history is a 4. We're going to do HS C/SR, and we have a good chance of getting 2s if the kids keep focused.
For you next year, given what you've told us, if everyone is expecting you to march at UIL this coming fall....that is flat out crazy and unrealistic to the Nth degree. Having a non-competing marching band doing 10 or fewer sets would be possible with super easy music & drill...although still a big challenge. You know your kids better that anyone else here, so that is up to you.
Since they are your biggest supporter, have a sit-down with your principal....now....don't wait for after TBA to do this. Explain to them exactly what things need to be in place, both on your end and on the school's end, in order for a marching program to be respectable. Also explain that at this juncture you are going to need a minimum of three years, and probably five, before the marching band will be ready to go to UIL...especially the fact that strong concert band performances will bring strong marching performances.
Like I said, have this conversation with your principal right away; Tuesday if at all possible. The sooner you sit down with them, the less likely you will be seen as an excuse-maker, and more like someone who knows what the situation is now, and has a realistic, long term plan to fix the situation (and stress that it is a long-term fix).
Re: How...
Posted by Nick on 4/3/2021, 10:16 am, in reply to "How..."
hey, nstephenson1980@gmail.com I’d love to talk you thru this stuff.
Re: How...
Posted by Survivalist on 4/3/2021, 8:54 am, in reply to "How..."
This year, just survive. Of your 8 items, #1,2,4&7 stem from a once-in-a-generation pandemic that won't be nearby as much of an issue next year. #3 is a freak weather event. I've lived in Texas almost 40 years and only once before have I seen schools closed more than 1-2 days for snow.
Focus on the other things and how you can work around them. Dodge athletics practices when you can. Plan ahead for the stock show and write that week off. Get all of your performances done before testing starts. None of those things are going away. Adjust your programming goals - you can still have high standards and make great music with easier music that you can learn during class time. If you like the community and the job, work within the constraints. After a year or two, when you've seen some success, you can start to push back on some things.
