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Area Underdogs

Posted by hello on 10/26/2024, 7:58 pm

We advanced to Area for the first time. It was a good experience for my students but admin wasn’t very happy to see that we placed last. My students are also feeling pretty defeated.

We just can’t compete with the band that is fully staffed, has seemingly unlimited budget, and working equipment.

I know “comparison is the thief of joy” and everyone’s situations are different but the difference between my band and everyone else was definitely noticeable.

Few questions
1) are there any 5/6A bands that do make it past Area that are “the underdogs”? Limited staff, low income community, etc. Just a band that has defied all odds?
2) if my admin wants us to advance past Area, how do I argue for things like a percussion instructor, an assistant director, a working sound system, etc.
3) how do I get my program up to that level with very limited resources?

I am definitely proud of my students for advancing in the first place!! That is definitely a sign that things are on the right track!

Re: Area Underdogs

Posted by MS on 10/28/2024, 5:31 pm, in reply to "Area Underdogs"

This might ruffle some feathers, but when you do your comparison, I might include school ratings and demographics. I know current ratings aren't "available" but perhaps if you put it in terms they will understand they wouldn't be so quick to judge.

I would also consider comparing the schools in the bottom half versus the schools in the top half. Maybe start by giving them a sense of what it would take to move up 3 spots. Small goals.

Re: Area Underdogs

Posted by Probably on 10/28/2024, 1:55 pm, in reply to "Area Underdogs"

List school names, size, districts, Title I or not, socio economic level of majority of students, amount of staff including techs and anyone else, quality of facilities such as having multiple rooms to split the band, number of feeders, quality of feeders including UIL and Region ratings, number of staff there, how many teachers they have, private lessons, and support going all the way down to elementary, etc, etc. Theres an endless amount of things to compare.

Re: Area Underdogs

Posted by Jake on 10/27/2024, 9:16 pm, in reply to "Area Underdogs"

Just my opinion: Region contest and Area or State are two different animals. At region you are competing against a standard (the rubrics). At Area and state it is band against band. When your band earned their one at region, in their minds they were equals with the other bands that earned ones. At Area and State somebody is first and somebody is last, and all the others are just sprinkled between. Congratulations on your first division. Don't let the results at area define you are your band. Yes, there have been some surprise entrants at the SMC, but I can't recall surprise winner. Contact the other directors in your region with the same classification. Ask them if they would provide you with information like their budget and total staff. Show that to you admin., and they should see the difference it can make.

Re: Area Underdogs

Posted by Same on 10/27/2024, 7:37 pm, in reply to "Area Underdogs"

If your admin wants to compare, compare away. Point out the things the big guys have that you don't.

Just be careful about making promises. If they buy you new instruments and sound system, they will want a return on their investment.

Re: Area Underdogs

Posted by Snerk on 10/27/2024, 7:04 pm, in reply to "Area Underdogs"

1. not unless they're on the military track.

2. List every program at area, yours and others. List their staff and point out that literally every single area finalist has more staff and more budget than you. If they want you to be an area finalist, you have to have the support, which takes staffing, money, and community support.

3. You can't. Not in the open track. Maybe on military.

Hate to say it, but you can't. This system is set up to reward haves vs have nots.

This seems as if I'm hating on military - and I'm absolutely not. Those bands have plenty of great teaching and teachers - but part of the reason the TSMMC was created was because military bands didn't stand a chance at area just like your band doesn't - and just like inner city bands and show bands don't.

Re: Area Underdogs

Posted by HCBD on 10/28/2024, 11:49 am, in reply to "Re: Area Underdogs"

Every system is set up to support the "haves". However, the school district leadership/management (and our legislature) are the ones who decide who the haves and the have nots are.

Advocate for your program and if they want to support you, they will. Several valley schools and other sprinkled throughout the state have awesome/supported band programs who are not from rich/affluent communities. Their districts support them.

If your district and community wants a good band program, they need your help to advocate and show them what that looks like. If they don't then they wont listen and that is their choice. At that point it is your choice if you want to stay, winds are always changing.

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