The Yellow Board

CRITICISM REVIEWED

Posted by Older than dirt on 4/24/2022, 6:13 pm

My dear departed mother told me many times "If you can't say something nice about someone don't say anything at all". As a judge and clinician it has been difficult to follow that advice. At numerous judging workshops I often heard "don't criticize something unless you can supply a remedy to the problem". I suppose that falls under the Golden Rule philosophy. My point is, we directors have a boatload of criticism of our fellow directors programs and most of the time not an ounce of help to remedy their problems. I know we'd like to help but don't wish to offend. My suggestion: have a large anonymous panel write critiques a month before UIL contest at a pre-UIL festival OR much like the TMEA Honor Band process send recordings for review by an anonymous panel. A large number of critiques could be very helpful. Any ideas to make this happen?

Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED

Posted by older than dirt (not op) on 4/28/2022, 9:54 am, in reply to "CRITICISM REVIEWED"

way back, as an assistant, the second band and top band rehearsed at the same time, so my head director insisted that I record every rehearsal and we would sit together each day and listen. Painful, yes. Embarrassing, yes, very. Made me better, without a doubt. Made the band better, absolutely. Since, when I've felt that I was missing the progress, I would again record rehearsal and listen. It helped me keep honest perspective and focus rehearsals better. Listening with a colleague exposes your weaknesses, but it helps you get better.

Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED

Posted by Lunney on 4/27/2022, 1:01 pm, in reply to "CRITICISM REVIEWED"

We have a good situation in the San Angelo area. Tarpley music lets us use their store a couple times a year on a Sunday. Myself and Jim Bode....plus any other "volunteer" help out the local directors. We don't make any money and Tarpley provides an audio setup and a great lunch with beverages. I will admit that it does help me pick up a couple of clinics later on in the contest season.
We listen to the rehearsal recording, mark the scores and visit for a bit with the director to help point out things they might be missing. We purposely do it a month before their UIL contest in order to catch issues early. They can also get feedback from the other directors listening to the recordings while they wait for their time slot.
The directors that come out to participate or just to listen all can receive professional development through the local service center by filling out a document.
It has been very popular and usually lasts about 5 or so hours.
Ralph Zamarippa has "judged" in past years and the rumors of him being gifted bottles of bourbon for his feedback is absolutely true!! Damn, I miss that man!

Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED

Posted by Shared Recordings on 4/26/2022, 6:50 pm, in reply to "CRITICISM REVIEWED"

Many directors record rehearsals for study purposes. Perhaps these recordings could be swapped with other willing directors for early critiques a month before UIL. Or perhaps share your recording with a mentor for a non-public review. As a retired director with lots of spare time I'd be happy to give some helpful feedback if requested.

Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED

Posted by studio one user on 4/27/2022, 8:03 am, in reply to "Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED"

During UIL CSR season I run a Yeti Blue USB microphone on a 12' stand for all high school rehearsals. Install ASIO4ALL to connect the mic to studio one and record the entire class period.

Go back and listen to the recording and mark down what you hear. Hit those major issues then work to the small ones and it really helps your kids improve. Sometimes we get so focused with something, that other things slip past our ears.

Set markers and extract the audio. Put the recordings on your google drive and share a link to directors you trust to be brutally honest. We all appreciate comments that praise but having someone pick apart your music is a good thing.

Avoid sending any recordings to your judges for that contest as that is a direct conflict and could cause issues.

I think it would be great if there were a list compiled of people volunteering to help out others in their region. Each region could have directors sign up to evaluate recordings based on class size. Successful 4A-6A directors for the larger bands and 1A-3A directors for smaller schools.

Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED

Posted by Brutally Honest on 4/27/2022, 12:33 pm, in reply to "Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED"

When I shared the fact that I recorded my bands at least once each week (usually Fridays) many of my peers said they couldn't stand to listen to recordings of their bands until after UIL. Sorry but that's too late. I also let my kids listen to portions of our rehearsal recordings with some surprising results. A director can harp&harp about what needs to be worked but "a picture is worth a thousand words". My students became much more aware of our needs.

Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED

Posted by Recording on 4/28/2022, 2:52 pm, in reply to "Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED"

I recorded my rehearsals multiple times a week and listened on my commute. On the way home to get earworms in my head and then on the way the next morning to make some rehearsal target decisions.

As it gets closer to a performance I would take my recordings and compare them to demo recordings, (either university or professional performances or composer lead demo recordings). I would listen to an excerpt of my ensemble and then the demo group and see if I could tell a difference. That really helped me develop an ear on balance and such.

And I would do a lot of record 20 measures and play it back immediately to the kids to let them hear it. Immediate feedback.

Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED

Posted by studio one on 4/27/2022, 1:46 pm, in reply to "Re: CRITICISM REVIEWED"

Exactly! Yes it really can bring you down listening to recordings but if you want it better you need to come down to earth and hear what they're really doing.

I've used a recording for my junior high band to help them realize what I've told them we need to work on/fix. When they hear it they work to fix the issue. In general, no one wants to be terrible.

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