The Yellow Board

Small school help

Posted by Anon on 6/12/2022, 6:55 am

Good morning yellowboard directors. I am about to take a small school job (3A). Who are some guys/ladies around the state who could answer questions I may have, and help me guide the band in the right direction this summer/fall. If want to leave your emails or give me general advice please leave below! I will
Be in contact with many of you later this week! Thank you so much!

Re: Small school help

Posted by WTX Retiree on 6/19/2022, 12:11 pm, in reply to "Small school help"

1. Be prepared to share students. Most of your band will be involved in OAP, sports, AG, UIL academics, yearbook plus church activities and others.

2a. Due to #1, you will find that there are many days when your band students will be out of your rehearsals while participating in another activity. IMHO those "active students" either can already play their band music or will be able to do so faster than the others. Teach the ones who are in your rehearsal and don't fret over the others. NEVER complain about students being gone for another activity!

2b. Due to #1, DON'T OVERPROGRAM, especially in year one.

3. Be visible at other school activities/events. Your students and their parents will notice and appreciate your support of other organizations and will be ready to step up for you when needed. Good time to brag to band parents about their child. Lays foundation of communication which will come in handy if/when you need parents to help with student discipline issues. BTW: when that happens, open the discussion with something positive about the student. THEN go for the problem and your expectations.

4. Be proactive with your admins and counselors. Get out of the band office and make person to person contact. Don't be a pest, just stop by to say hello, keep it short (they have a lot on their plates) and always take the opportunity to invite those folks to your rehearsals, even if its only for a few minutes in their busy day.

5. On days you eat in the school cafeteria, sit with the coaches. Your students WILL notice.

6. Get to know the bus manager, maintenance staff, secretaries and call them by name. Take the time to acknowledge (and thank them for) their importance to everyday school life. Ask them how you can make their job easier. The secretary likely has a mental list of things your predecessor could have done better. She runs the school, and can/will save your bacon many times even before you know you're in the skillet.

Re: Small school help

Posted by Oldster on 6/20/2022, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Re: Small school help"

This is GOLD!

Re: Small school help

Posted by Concur... on 6/20/2022, 8:27 am, in reply to "Re: Small school help"

All good stuff here.

I would definitely second #2b. I have had many colleagues whom I went to school with take over good small school bands with 65 (or so) players....a good size, especially for 3A and down. They all thought that they had just inherited Phantom Regiment, programmed a show that difficult, and expected the kids to show up and use all 8 hours available to rehearse. Then they had the nerve to wonder why their 65 piece band is all of the sudden now a 20 piece band...then proceed to blame the administration for it.

Re: Small school help

Posted by pbm on 6/14/2022, 8:27 pm, in reply to "Small school help"

has free mentors

Re: Small school help

Posted by The Mandalorian on 6/14/2022, 9:07 am, in reply to "Small school help"

Hornplayer9599@aol.com

Also, find out who the ATSSB directors in your region are, and reach out to them. Not only will they help you out like the rest of us, they are in the immediate area, and know the area, and can help you out with things like community attitudes...and most importantly...small town politics.

Re: Small school help

Posted by Percguy on 6/13/2022, 9:32 pm, in reply to "Small school help"

I'm going into my 19th year teaching and 7th year as a small school head director. I'd be happy to help any way I can.

hillcountrybandguy@gmail.com

Re: Small school help

Posted by Mr. Dude on 6/13/2022, 9:12 am, in reply to "Small school help"

jbalusek80 AT gmail DOT com

Send me an e-mail, if I can't help, I can probably point you in the right direction!

Re: Small school help

Posted by DesertJazz on 6/12/2022, 10:55 am, in reply to "Small school help"

I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm down outside of Corpus Christi in Odem, and serve as a region ATSSB officer. You can email me stevenrash AT gmail.com and I'd be happy to help in any way I can! Best wishes and congrats on the new job!

Re: Small school help

Posted by older dude on 6/20/2022, 1:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Small school help"

Steve. Would be a really awesome wall to bounce ideas off. I would suggest an adaptable warm up that is easy to teach and expandable I use one that is very cheap (free) and can be used beginning thru HS. It takes no time to teach and works with any level. also have some things that are non negotiable. 1 only one person talks at a time. 2 best posture at all times 3 when I stop"listen" for correction 4, every rehearsal bring your best attitude, regardless of how you may feel. It's a personal choice. This is a life lesson. this is yr 51 for me and over 45 in small school. if you have any questions please pm me. I currently am teaching at the smallest HS in Tx. And having a blast

Re: Small school help

Posted by 2A & 3A Director on 6/12/2022, 10:22 am, in reply to "Small school help"

htxbanddirector@icloud.com

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