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Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A

Posted by survivng on 1/20/2026, 7:27 pm

It is looking like I am going to be flying pretty much solo for the remainder of the year. Admin made it sound like trying to hire someone was very unlikely to happen. I will have a long term sub helping, but her knowledge in music is very limited, they would not be able to run a rehearsal or take small groups.

I am currently at a smaller 4A/2C district. I am wondering if anyone else has had an experience like this at a school of similar size and have any tips on managing things. I am also curious what your expectations on what support you would expect from admin and what you might expect your pay to be for taking that on.

Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A

Posted by Done that on 1/21/2026, 2:10 pm, in reply to "Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A"

It sounds like maybe you're the assistant director, and now the acting head for the remainder of the year? I would be asking for the HD stipend for the rest of the year. I doubt you're getting any additional pay past that.

Offload everything you can onto your long term sub assistant. I wouldn't trust them with score study or conducting a group, but they can handle a lot of the office stuff. Daily attendance (even if you have to be the one to enter it into the computer), gathering quotes for purchase orders, bus requests. Even if they can't contribute musically, they can be in the rehearsal to help manage behavior. Who knows, maybe they can pick up enough music to help the percussion count rests and stay in time.

Do you have some student leaders who you trust to run a sectional? Your sub can supervise the kids in the other room and help manage behavior while your section leader is handling the music.

Can your MS director(s) help out? They need to be focused on the MS program first and foremost, but maybe they have some bandwidth to come help a few hours a week.

"Spoiled" below is correct that most of the country has only one band director at a school, but outside of Texas the expectations on the band are also much less. Keeping up the concert program is going to be a lot of work. If you're interested in taking over the head director job, demonstrating that you can handle it is better than any job interview.

Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A

Posted by Op on 1/22/2026, 11:34 am, in reply to "Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A"

So i was the middle school director, and it was just me and the head HS. Ive given what I can to them, just only so much I can do, middle school is really where I need the help and sectionals.

Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A

Posted by Done that on 1/22/2026, 4:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A"

If this is across campuses, that's even more of a challenge.

In your shoes, I would focus on all of the MS requirements first, and fit in HS where possible. Assuming this was always a team teaching situation, continue going to the HS classes you were scheduled for. Focus on your MS sectionals after school.

I don't see where you have any additional obligation to the HS program. HS admin needs to hire someone PDQ. Plenty of December grads who would take an interim position. Maybe they can bring in a contractor to fill in part-time for the rest of the year.

If you want the head director job, maybe try harder to fit High School into your day, but you can't be in two places at once. Expecting you to prepare both ensembles for UIL contest without qualified help is completely unreasonable.

Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A

Posted by Beecher on 1/28/2026, 7:51 am, in reply to "Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A"

I wholeheartedly agree with this. If your contract is paid completely from the MS budget, HS has no say over you. They need to find someone ASAP. You may want to help them by helping get the job posted to the appropriate boards where it will be seen.

Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A

Posted by Spoiled on 1/21/2026, 10:07 am, in reply to "Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A"

90% of the country has only one band director at a school. We are spoiled in Texas because it's all we know. Before moving to Texas, I taught out of state and had over 200 students. 3 large concert ensembles, two jazz ensembles, jazz combo, large percussion studio, color guard class (I brought someone in for this twice a week), marching band in the fall, solos & ensembles.... I was the only director and we were successful. You're lucky to even have a long term sub. Just count on them for supervision of students where needed.

Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A

Posted by Umm.. on 1/22/2026, 6:52 am, in reply to "Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A"

I think what OP forgot is their multiple beginner classes on top of their ensembles and other duties. Willing to bet the schedule is set up for two full time directors which is what OP is struggling with..to call them spoiled is unnecessary

Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A

Posted by OP on 1/22/2026, 11:32 am, in reply to "Re: Solo directing in a bigger 3A/Smaller 4A"

That is correct. I have HS band and a combined JH band myself as well as 4 sections of beginners that are mostly combined except flute by itself. I also have HS evening rehearsals and need to do JH sectionals soon.

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