Next year, I will be in my 2nd year as the director at a struggling Middle School campus. Far as I can tell, this school has rarely (if ever) had a successful year. The add on to the issue, it is plagued with the mindset of "That's the way we've always done it," which has severely inhibited my ability to make any meaningful changes this year.
The good news is, much of the staff that has forced this mindset will not be returning next year, so I'm taking it as an opportunity to turn the ship. However, I will be dealing with a Varsity Band with very few students that approach their instrument with correct fundamentals. Does anyone have any method book or system they'd be willing to share that might be more engaging for the slightly older students than the standard beginner book? Is there any other advice?
It does look like splitting WW/Brass/Percussion is at least potentially possible for this group. Thanks in advance.
Re: Help!
Posted by Fixer on 4/10/2024, 7:36 am, in reply to "Help!"
I've done a few turnaround projects. It's tough but rewarding.
Some of your problems will solve themselves once all of the kids have turned over. When you have 8th graders who were yours since 6th grade, there's no more "the way we've always done it."
Staff is harder, but it sounds like that's also solved itself for you.
I would do the split if you can. Depending on how far behind they are, I would consider these: -beginner method that's NOT what they used in 6th grade. They'll revolt if you do the same book they learned on, even if YOU know they didn't really learn it the first time. -book 2 or 3 in the series they used in 6th grade. Pitch it as a continuation. -Foundations book if they can handle it. It's not a sequenced method, but it's a great resource.
Re: Help!
Posted by me on 4/9/2024, 12:28 pm, in reply to "Help!"
1) every day is a new opportunity, have that mindset 2) prepare your mind for playing what they should be playing at contest and not what you want to play. Find extremely achieveable music so that you can work on tone, technique, everything they need to get right fundamentally. 3) You can only solve one problem at a time. However, there are ways to approach fundamental ideas as a full band. Watch the "after sectionals" podcasts with Darcy and her staff. They are very good at presenting solid fundamental ideas to the masses. 4) Work on this like a business. Develop a vision and mission statement and have a five year plan. Most great programs take around 5 years to fully implement their vision. Accept that kids and their parents can only handle so much cultural shift at a time. 5) Still smile and have fun! 6) Don't talk about how their fundamentals are bad or about anything from the past unless you absolutely have to. Everything is about today and going forward into the future. 7) Recruit. Shake hands. Smile. Find fun opportunities for your students outside of your building. At this point, your "customer service" is huge. They have to learn what you want out of a program before they can really help you to achieve what you want.