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Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Howdy on 12/18/2025, 9:55 pm

For those with multiple directors and ensembles, does the assistant director conduct the top ensemble or does the head director?

New assistant in the program and they have been vocal about conducting the top band (which I’m the lead director of).

Is this common practice and I’ve just missed the memo?

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Curious on 1/8/2026, 4:07 pm, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

The Director of Bands is responsible for the program. As the head director, I choose to conduct the Honor Band. If I decide to allow one of the assistant directors to conduct a piece, that's my choice.

If the assistant director is requesting podium time with the top band, it is your decision whether that person is ready for that podium time or not with that ensemble. If the assistant director is demanding podium time with the top band, then the answer is absolutely not and we need to have a discussion about program responsibilities and job descriptions. It isn't about ego. It's about responsibility, accountability, and roles within the program.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by AK on 12/28/2025, 4:22 pm, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

It's ultimately your decision, however, I see many benefits of collaborating with your staff and having everyone conduct the top band.

As an assistant in the middle of my career, I was given many opportunities to lead the Wind Ensemble. The HD at the time would have me consistently work fundamentals with the Wind Ensemble. Now, to be completely honest, at first I thought, "why can't you do this yourself?" But as I look back I'm thankful for the opportunity that was given to me to help establish my band sound with the "top" band. What worked, I took with me the next period... What didn't, I didn't try again OR was able to workshop with the HDs guidance. Because he didn't just let me run through and jump off the podium. I remember I tried that once because I thought I had other things I needed to do and he put me right back up there and expected me do it right. He had expectations for what he wanted out of me and the students. This also gave me more ownership into the program as a whole. The fundamentals then led to conducting repertoire.

This was my experience and it helped me to develop as an educator. It also showed me what true mentorship was. Maybe think of this as an opportunity to not just grow your ensemble but develop your staff as well. You might actually learn something yourself too(I KNOW, SCARY right?).

I think it's important for all of our students to see all of our faces, regardless of the size of the program. Not all of the kids are into ME so if they have an opportunity to work with B or C then that has lifted that kiddos spirits for that part of rehearsal. If we develop our students AND our staff then they may not be so quick to "seek that HD job" themselves (as mentioned in one of the responses) and then you have depth in your staff as well as your students. Or if they do move on, wow, what an opportunity and skillset you gave them to be successful. We even force our student teachers to work with the top band and perform a piece on the Spring Concert. Their product from beginning to concert....good, bad, and ALL the ugly. The band staff rehearses 0% of that piece. Sure it takes trust but it's worth it for the music education of everyone in the room. It also puts the responsibility on all the staff and not just you.

I'm rambling at this point. There's a lot more I could say on this but I think I've made my point.

I say give it a chance. If it makes you uncomfortable then you're probably learning something about yourself, your staff, or your students!

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by NO on 12/23/2025, 2:47 pm, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

Head Band Director conducts the top band, unless you don't want to.

My experience has been the HD does the top and maybe the bottom band, Assistant does 2nd band IF the program is that large.

As the HD you can do whatever you want.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Respectfully on 12/25/2025, 8:23 am, in reply to "Re: Asst. Director Conducting"

That doesn't benefit your program.

When do kids in the second band ever get to know how the HBD conducts or rehearses the ensemble, if they're never in his ensemble? What if they move up the next year - they've got more of a learning curve to fit in to the ensemble style.

Furthermore, what about the good-but-not-great kids - they can spend 3-4 years in your program and never have the HBD as their conductor on a concert even a single time?

This also enables your ABD to get off the podium during their own ensemble and work more with sections.

There are literally no downsides to allowing your colleague to conduct a song once in a while.

Yes, you can "do whatever you want" but I highly recommend you do what is in the best interest of the program, which is to be a TEAM of directors, not a boss with underlings.

Do you think *only* Jerry Junkin conducts the UTWS? Have you seen an honor band program? They all allow their assistant directors to have a piece on the program as well.

It takes a team.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by some guy on 12/28/2025, 8:47 am, in reply to "Re: Asst. Director Conducting"

When do kids in the second band ever get to know how the HBD conducts or rehearses the ensemble, if they're never in his ensemble? What if they move up the next year - they've got more of a learning curve to fit in to the ensemble style.

Furthermore, what about the good-but-not-great kids - they can spend 3-4 years in your program and never have the HBD as their conductor on a concert even a single time?

Marching season? In every program I've worked in the HBD does rehearsals with the full band on music in summer band and on days it's raining outside and we are forced to stay in. Surely the kids in the lower bands can learn how the HBD conducts or rehearses an ensemble from that.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Yeah... on 12/27/2025, 10:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Asst. Director Conducting"

Have you seen an honor band program? They all allow their assistant directors to have a piece on the program as well.

I have. And just prior to the last piece on the program, they come out with the plaque for the band, and then they honor the HEAD director, and the HEAD director only, as "Honor Director".

Have you ever noticed that teams have a Head Coach? You know, a boss with underlings who are delegated responsibilities as the head coach deems necessary.

Case in point, in the mid-60s, the Chicago Cubs decided that instead of one manager, the team was going to be run by a team of coaches...running the team by committee.

It...didn't...end...well.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by anon on 1/7/2026, 11:24 am, in reply to "Re: Asst. Director Conducting"

I remember that story about the Cubs. When the manager of that week was thrown out by an umpire, someone on the other team stood up and yelled "All Right, all you guys move up one chair"

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Yeah... on 1/8/2026, 7:44 am, in reply to "Re: Asst. Director Conducting"

...considering just how well [sarcasm] that season went, that can't be far from the truth.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by well... on 12/26/2025, 12:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Asst. Director Conducting"

That doesn't benefit your program.

Every program is different. Unless you are there to witness that particular program, you can't state this as a fact.

When do kids in the second band ever get to know how the HBD conducts or rehearses the ensemble, if they're never in his ensemble? What if they move up the next year - they've got more of a learning curve to fit in to the ensemble style.

The same could be said for kids in middle school who are not in high school, yet. The same can be said if a new head director comes in. Kids can adjust to a new conductor if they understand the fundamentals of music and ensemble technique.

Furthermore, what about the good-but-not-great kids - they can spend 3-4 years in your program and never have the HBD as their conductor on a concert even a single time?

Even the good-but-not-great kids can move up to the top ensemble if they put in the work and individual practice to improve. Upperclassman in the top ensemble graduate and if the type of student you are describing is not able to even mov up to one of the lower chairs in the top ensemble, they are not as good of a player as you are saying and it would be a disservice to that student and ensemble for him to be misplaced. It doesn't mean that the student is a bad person or bad band member. it just means that they do not have the skills to play the literature that the top ensemble is performing and there's nothing wrong with that.

This also enables your ABD to get off the podium during their own ensemble and work more with sections.

No, that's not what the conductor of the ensemble needs to do at that time. Section rehearsals can be held before or after school if the assistant really wants to do his or her own section rehearsals.

There are literally no downsides to allowing your colleague to conduct a song once in a while.

This point is actually true, but it depends on the program and how the head director structures it.

Yes, you can "do whatever you want" but I highly recommend you do what is in the best interest of the program, which is to be a TEAM of directors, not a boss with underlings.

Ah, now we get to the real "chip on your shoulder." I'm sorry but someone has to be in charge and that includes taking all the heat when things go wrong. So, are you willing to take an equal amount of blame and whatever comes with it? Are you willing to be equally responsible for any and all paperwork and any meetings that come with it?

Do you think *only* Jerry Junkin conducts the UTWS? Have you seen an honor band program? They all allow their assistant directors to have a piece on the program as well.

Jerry Junkin? Now we're going to drag a university director into this? Okay, what about the late Frederick Fennell or the late William Revelli? did they only conduct the top ensembles? Yes, on Honor Band concerts, everyone gets to conduct. This is or may be a once in a lifetimne thing for a band, though some bands have had repeat performances. Hey, when the All-State Bands perform, does the director of the second band also direct the top band or visa-versa?

It takes a team.

Yes, it takes a team. And, on all teams everyone has a position. The quarterback calls the plays, the receiver catches or runs the ball or the quareterback and choose to do it.

P.S. Become a head director and get your own program and run it your way.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Snerk on 12/30/2025, 9:12 am, in reply to "Re: Asst. Director Conducting"

Sounds like someone's ego was just challenged.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Conn artist on 12/20/2025, 9:35 pm, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

It is good to present a united front to your band program. Team teaching is ideal. My assistant and I have conducted one tune of eachcothers UIL program for years now.

I will rehearse, prep and conduct one of his non-varsity UIL tunes, and he will do one of the varsity tunes. Generally the march or the middle tune.

Shows the band we are a team, and it also let's me get to know the NV kids and prep a lot of them for varsity next year.

Sweepstakes every year we have done it.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by On the Caprock on 12/20/2025, 11:57 am, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

It's not unusual for the assistant to conduct the march or one of the "fun, flashy" pieces at a spring or Christmas concert with a few caveats.

The culture of the program is solid.
The assistant has proven themselves OVER TIME to be an integral part of the education of the ensemble.
The serious, big works are still under the direction of the head director.
This also only happens when the HEAD DIRECTOR is ready, not on the assistant's terms.

It's also not unusual for the head director to hand the marching program over to the assistant, provided that the assistant has proven they have the qualifications and skills to run that portion of the program.

However, with what's being described here, new to the program, and being vocal about conducting the group, there probably needs to be a conversation about appropriate lanes for their position.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Oh, my on 12/20/2025, 10:37 am, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

It’s your band, you conduct. If they want to conduct the top group that bad then they need to go get a HD job.

What is their reasoning for being so adamant about conducting the top group?

Very weird.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by CentexBD on 12/20/2025, 10:35 am, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

It is not common for the Assistant to be the full time director of the top band. In the past, I got to conduct a song for a longer concert, but the head director always ran the ensemble. Even now, I run the band and help with the other classes. My Assistant is a great director, but I believe the HD has the responsibility to run the top ensemble, as its his name on the program. Just like a head coach doesn't let the Assistant run the team.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by No on 12/20/2025, 10:32 am, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

Rank has its privileges.

Head director conducts the flagship ensemble. There have been a few occasions when I've had my assistant conduct the top band, but in general the varsity group is mine.

Re: Asst. Director Conducting

Posted by Veteran on 12/20/2025, 9:19 am, in reply to "Asst. Director Conducting"

You need to supply some context. In what setting? Do you mean turn the ensemble over to them completely? Do you mean conducting a piece on a concert? Do you mean conducting a piece at UIL or a festival? The answer can change depending on the circumstance. It’s your program. Do what is best for kids.

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