Good morning to all. I know we had this discussion last year on Marchingsport but I wanted to bring it back up. There are a lot of band directors on this site, musicians and some aspiring band directors. I read a lot of comments about "what if we had a new director" or "its the directors fault". I would like for us to discuss what we think the job of a band director is so that we can straighten out any misconceptions. I would like to give my take in several areas.Band has to be ran almost like a business. The director has to handle manage funding, place orders, promotions, public relations, coordinate and relate with other school activities, deal with administration, public officials, teachers, alumni and district officials THEN teach children who sometimes dont want to learn. It can be difficult at times especially when there are so many different influences.I noticed on the Extreme BOTB forums there was a discussion about style. Some directors want to copy their alma mater's style, others want to be different. We band directors have to do what works best in that particular situation. True we have to deal with administration asking us why the band is so small and other crazy questions. My assistant principal asked me why we keep losing to Willowridge at the BOTBs? (wtf)Band directing is more than just write a hot song and pass it out. That is the easy part of it. Imagine how much time it takes to design a halftime show. People think a drill is just a bunch of pretty lines but we know its so much more. We have to deal with drunk azz parents coming up to the school raising hell when their child skipped practice and got put on the sideline. Then when concert season starts, we get a special request for the marching band to perform for something prestigious.Im not trying to scare you guys because band directing is very rewarding also. It feels good when somebody who couldnt play a Bflat is playing almost all of the scales after 6 months, or that drummer who was an a$$hole in August is now one of the best students in the school. It feels good when you take the worst band ever made and make a contender.Please take the time to discuss and/or ask any questions in regards to band directing. What you think the job should or will be. We will be more than happy to share with you.
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very well said Goldy, i finally realized this last year when we finally got 1st at MLK, i wish my peers could read this and POSSIBLY learn something from it
Seriously, without trying, I've found myself becoming a mentor/daddy/counselor. After students realized that I had their best interests at heart, they opened up to tell me stuff that they couldn't tell their friends or even their parents. Some stuff you don't want to hear about, but if they can't tell someone with some sense, what's the alternative?
I've helped people fix their schedules, apply for college (even if it wasn't PV *wink*), and put people in my car (6-7 deep sometimes) to meet college band member and directors. And I have no regrets.
Teachers in general are under-appreciated. I feel for the BD's though, they are responsible for every member of one of the largest organizations in their school (ie. the band).
Its exactly why you cant Fully blame a director for the bands performance level. its up to the students to want to Be where they want to be! Although the Director is there to TEACH its members. It doesn't mean that The Band Will be Good .That Takes Time. and OUTSIDERS dont see that.
People put too much Faith in Directors Ability, Rather than putting their focus on the Students playing abilities.
I recently stated in another thread that People Complain that Directors arent good enough. yet they're not trying to Understand the Situation the Director in. Folks are quick to say that the Director is Unfit when they Cant do any Better..
I respect any brother who has a That Paperwork and is getting SOMETHING DONE to create BETTER BANDSMEN!
Yeah Goldy... why Do you keep losing to willowridge?...LOL!
But seriously in some circumstances alot of people don't know that sometimes its not up to a band director as far as the direction He/She wants to take the band. I have seen circumstances where a band director is hired to fail and was made to look like it was his fault when it was really the admins fault (as stupid as that sounds). I think there is a lack of actually knowing what a band directors responsibilties are even sometimes on an admin level.
Book said:
LOL @ Cleve.
Its exactly why you cant Fully blame a director for the bands performance level. its up to the students to want to Be where they want to be! Although the Director is there to TEACH its members. It doesn't mean that The Band Will be Good .That Takes Time. and OUTSIDERS dont see that.
People put too much Faith in Directors Ability, Rather than putting their focus on the Students playing abilities.
I recently stated in another thread that People Complain that Directors arent good enough. yet they're not trying to Understand the Situation the Director in. Folks are quick to say that the Director is Unfit when they Cant do any Better..
I respect any brother who has a That Paperwork and is getting SOMETHING DONE to create BETTER BANDSMEN!
The Job of a Band Director .......................
Good morning to all. I know we had this discussion last year on Marchingsport but I wanted to bring it back up. There are a lot of band directors on…
I swear all of the bands are the same.. The kids with dumb questions etc. Prof. Brown got me sitting here laughing. I think Im going to make a poster titled: Questions to not ask the band director !! and list them. lol
Real talk though oldwise I have been in that situation you talking about when I worked at Kashmere. The first 4 games, I put 80 spots on that field. 16 drill team, 8 majorettes, 48 Band members all playing. halfway through football season I was called into a meeting and told. "Mr. Runnels you are doing a great job but we didnt anticipate the financial burden of the band growing so quickly. We will need you to limit the performances or cut the band down smaller like it was." OMG... I have never heard of anything like that in my life.
In my current situation, there is no band budget but we go anywhere we want because administration lets us fundraise: We get together and sell candy, fajitas, BBQ baked potatoes and everything else we can think of. BOOK I cant wait to see you with your own band. See, we all look at schools like Willowridge, Townview, Old Smiley, Forest Brook etc. and say we want that type of program but the directors put in years of work to get those programs like that.
So prospective band directors, what is your plan to build a program?
Its exactly why you cant Fully blame a director for the bands performance level. its up to the students to want to Be where they want to be! Although the Director is there to TEACH its members. It doesn't mean that The Band Will be Good .That Takes Time. and OUTSIDERS dont see that.
People put too much Faith in Directors Ability, Rather than putting their focus on the Students playing abilities.
I recently stated in another thread that People Complain that Directors arent good enough. yet they're not trying to Understand the Situation the Director in. Folks are quick to say that the Director is Unfit when they Cant do any Better..
I respect any brother who has a That Paperwork and is getting SOMETHING DONE to create BETTER BANDSMEN!
That's my take on it also.... The BD is there to teach and facilitate the students. My director always told us, (And my coaches for that matter) that it is THE STUDENTS program. They are just there to guide and give guidance. ***THE PROGRAM IS ONLY GONNA GO AS FAR AS THE STUDENTS ARE WILLING TO TAKE IT***
The Job of a Band Director .......................
Good morning to all. I know we had this discussion last year on Marchingsport but I wanted to bring it back up. There are a lot of band directors on…
dont have to worry bout that "largest" word anymore smh........
PVSax99 said:
Teachers in general are under-appreciated. I feel for the BD's though, they are responsible for every member of one of the largest organizations in their school (ie. the band).
The Job of a Band Director .......................
Good morning to all. I know we had this discussion last year on Marchingsport but I wanted to bring it back up. There are a lot of band directors on…
Replies
GET THE TABLE!!!
j/k...I think...
Seriously, without trying, I've found myself becoming a mentor/daddy/counselor. After students realized that I had their best interests at heart, they opened up to tell me stuff that they couldn't tell their friends or even their parents. Some stuff you don't want to hear about, but if they can't tell someone with some sense, what's the alternative?
I've helped people fix their schedules, apply for college (even if it wasn't PV *wink*), and put people in my car (6-7 deep sometimes) to meet college band member and directors. And I have no regrets.
sounds like it would be fun..
Its exactly why you cant Fully blame a director for the bands performance level. its up to the students to want to Be where they want to be! Although the Director is there to TEACH its members. It doesn't mean that The Band Will be Good .That Takes Time. and OUTSIDERS dont see that.
People put too much Faith in Directors Ability, Rather than putting their focus on the Students playing abilities.
I recently stated in another thread that People Complain that Directors arent good enough. yet they're not trying to Understand the Situation the Director in. Folks are quick to say that the Director is Unfit when they Cant do any Better..
I respect any brother who has a That Paperwork and is getting SOMETHING DONE to create BETTER BANDSMEN!
But seriously in some circumstances alot of people don't know that sometimes its not up to a band director as far as the direction He/She wants to take the band. I have seen circumstances where a band director is hired to fail and was made to look like it was his fault when it was really the admins fault (as stupid as that sounds). I think there is a lack of actually knowing what a band directors responsibilties are even sometimes on an admin level.
Book said:
Real talk though oldwise I have been in that situation you talking about when I worked at Kashmere. The first 4 games, I put 80 spots on that field. 16 drill team, 8 majorettes, 48 Band members all playing. halfway through football season I was called into a meeting and told. "Mr. Runnels you are doing a great job but we didnt anticipate the financial burden of the band growing so quickly. We will need you to limit the performances or cut the band down smaller like it was." OMG... I have never heard of anything like that in my life.
In my current situation, there is no band budget but we go anywhere we want because administration lets us fundraise: We get together and sell candy, fajitas, BBQ baked potatoes and everything else we can think of. BOOK I cant wait to see you with your own band. See, we all look at schools like Willowridge, Townview, Old Smiley, Forest Brook etc. and say we want that type of program but the directors put in years of work to get those programs like that.
So prospective band directors, what is your plan to build a program?
That's my take on it also.... The BD is there to teach and facilitate the students. My director always told us, (And my coaches for that matter) that it is THE STUDENTS program. They are just there to guide and give guidance. ***THE PROGRAM IS ONLY GONNA GO AS FAR AS THE STUDENTS ARE WILLING TO TAKE IT***
PVSax99 said:
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