Posted by EJimenez86 on September 14, 2009 at 7:54pm
I've heard so many "excuses" or "reasons" band directors have given as to why their program is not succesful? What are some that you have heard? For example, in HISD it is evident that many high school programs dont have suitable feeder programs and are left with membership issues. Thats just one to name a few...-E.Rock
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why does it have to be an excuse...im just sayin....why when people dont get the answer THEY wanna hear they write the truth off as an excuse "why wasnt (insert bands name here)' s whole band at the game" ...."ugh because 45% of them failed on their six weeks report card" ......"stop makin excuses"........see what im sayin...
many things play a roll in unsuccessful programs .. but if you come upon a great band and is there thru its demise its probably cause you aint got control over ya students
my point exactly, there should be no excuses. although it might be difficult to create a program without the support of your administration and no feeder program, IT CAN BE DONE. For example, Waltrip High School in HISD has a 175 piece band AND NO DIRECT FEEDER MIDDLE SCHOOL. Theyve been to area the past three times. Head band director is a FAMU alumni and marched with prof edwards.
Seems like everyone always wants to put the blame on someone else rather than themselves. (and im speaking in general situations in life)
We all know how HISD operates and come January when im fully certified, i hope to aid the district at a campus to flourish our band programs.
James Ledford said:
why does it have to be an excuse...im just sayin....why when people dont get the answer THEY wanna hear they write the truth off as an excuse "why wasnt (insert bands name here)' s whole band at the game" ...."ugh because 45% of them failed on their six weeks report card" ......"stop makin excuses"........see what im sayin...
Whats the MAIN excuse you've heard BD's say in not having a succesful program?
I've heard so many excuses or reasons band directors have given as to why their program is not succesful? What are some that you have heard? For…
Waltrip is a different situation. He has been there for around 20 years. Waltrip wasnt always as good as they are now. Mr. Stephens put in a LOT of work. Now he has established himself and students come because their parents, brothers and sisters were in Waltrip's Band. It takes time to build a program.
As far as excuses, its a fact that building a program is hard without support. Lets see some of you teach a beginner band in 9th grade and have to actually compete. You will get smoked at least to begin with. In HISD most of us directors have been at our schools 5 yrs or less and have to work with scraps. However, we continue to fight every day anyway. Hell last year, I had to write my own show for UIL because their was no money and even had to take off work to do it. Some of us hang in there but a lot of directors bounce. HISD changes directors more than any other school district in the state.
Until you guys step into the band director's position, you wont understand what it is we go through.
NOW THIS I AGREE WITH 100% Goldy....BUT TO (E- ROCK)...When you get your band or start working in HISD....at a school that dosent have a band at all or a had a band but dosent have one now..dont complain...because its harder then what you think......I know what it like to start a program from scratch and its hell pure hell..... but IM not knocking...you IM....if marching band is you prefrence..then..... it should be fun to whtch you build one.....but its anything but easy to do this job...even being an assistant director is hard bro.....I know 5 schools that need a asst bd..and two that need a head bd....so when you get time..i would love ot help you find that gig...so we can all see what you can do...again I am not trying to put you down and get smart.......I'm trying to make a point that its not always the directors fault......every group is different..... so you have to adjust..if you dont then you will have no program.....you can teach fundamental..all you want ..... BUT if only 3 kids learn it then you still wont have a program.... you chould have a 100 peaice band..and all of them can play... but only 15% come to pratice .....then you still wont have a program..... you can have a marching band that can march , but no concert band exsist in that school ..AGAIN YOU STILL WONT HAVE A PROGRAM!!!!!.....These are some of the things we as ASST BD's AND HEAD BD's RUN INTO......... AND SO WILL YOU.......SO What we do as directors is tell each other about each other mistakes or invite each other to one of our games and ask them our selfs.....so please answer this question for me.......
how do you get kids...that are in you 8th period band class learn an instrument
AND PLAY IN YOUR AFTER SCHOOL BAND / PROGRAM..... when
1) They dont want to...
2)They just in the class to chill
3) you cant get rid of them because the office wont change the classes
4)and you cant flunk them because they still do there work......
5)there parents dont want them to play in band after school
6)and every year you gain 10 folks, you end up loseing 10 folks.. wich keeps your band at 20 people
7) and now the administration want a bigger band now....
with that being said ......lets say you start off with a I DONT KNOW..A 20 PEAICE BAND...... but you got 300 kids all together that are in your 2 band classes together ...... but then again out of the 20 kids you already got...only 10 are gonna stay and really be in the band ....what do you?..........AGAIN ..IM NOT TRYING TO TALK DOWN Or WHAT EVER....I JUST WANNA KNOW????
OH AND WALTRIP DOSE HAVE A FEEDER SCHOOL'S I STAY ON THAT SIDE OF TOWN..AND KNOW THE BD OVER THERE..AND (BLACK MIDDLE) AND (HAMILTON MIDDLE) FEEDS WALTRIP....SO ....YEAH......
Goldy_1914 said:
Waltrip is a different situation. He has been there for around 20 years. Waltrip wasnt always as good as they are now. Mr. Stephens put in a LOT of work. Now he has established himself and students come because their parents, brothers and sisters were in Waltrip's Band. It takes time to build a program.
As far as excuses, its a fact that building a program is hard without support. Lets see some of you teach a beginner band in 9th grade and have to actually compete. You will get smoked at least to begin with. In HISD most of us directors have been at our schools 5 yrs or less and have to work with scraps. However, we continue to fight every day anyway. Hell last year, I had to write my own show for UIL because their was no money and even had to take off work to do it. Some of us hang in there but a lot of directors bounce. HISD changes directors more than any other school district in the state.
Until you guys step into the band director's position, you wont understand what it is we go through.
Whats the MAIN excuse you've heard BD's say in not having a succesful program?
I've heard so many excuses or reasons band directors have given as to why their program is not succesful? What are some that you have heard? For…
This is exactly why i created this post. To get the ideas and concerns of different individuals. I never specifically said "feeder schools" i mentioned a DIRECT FEEDER middle school. Black middle school has not had a program for several years now. Oak Forest ele has a pretty good ele band under Mr. Proko and leaves these kids hanging with nowhere to go other than maybe Hogg, Hamilton or MC Williams. And to Goldy, i agree with you as well. Mr. Stephens has probably created the most consistent band program in HISD (in my opinion). He has put in alot of work, but he has shown me so far how he has approached not having a feeder school and deal with other issues that im sure other band directors encounter. I guess using him as an example is invalid since he's been here for so long.
I guess i should introduce myself to those that might not know my background. I am a product of HISD. Graduated from Lamar High School a traditionally corp style band (under Richard Smith) and about to graduate from PVAMU with my bachelors in music with an all level certification (studied under Joseph Colarusso). My reasoning to post this thread was to view problems and issues that arise in creating, reviving or upholding band programs. I am currently student teaching at Waltrip HS under Mr. Stephens and Mr. Espinosa. Their recruitment tacticts are some that most band directors should see. They always mention to me "man, other schools think we have it made...we just take a different approach"
But in my personal opinion, i just dont believe in excuses (whether the outcome is good or bad) you deal with what you have and make it work. Unfortunately, everything our bands represent seem to reflect solely on the director. (even though we all know that is not true at all) Im not here to act like i know it all, because i will be the first to admit i dont. I am here to learn from different mentors and take their teachings to prosper in my own program.
Im in no way shape or form degrading anyone's program, just trying to see what other schools have to deal with and how they go about approaching them.
and to Big Al, i am currently considering my options come my graduation this dec. If you have any leads, ill send you my references of directors and professors ive worked with.
I do acknowledge the fact that creating a band program from scratch will be hell, i am just one of those directors that wont bounce on those kids and will endure hardships to create a respectable program.
Well I still understand were your comming from..IM just giving you the heads up on some of the stuff ..thats all..and IM Glad to hear you are student teaching at a great program like (WALTRIP).... and I'LL send you the job lead's by friday...... just make sure to remind me.............and trust me I totaly understand what you mean by not bailing on the kids..ALOT OF EX-BD'S STILL TO THIS DAY ....JUST SIT THERE AND COLLECT A CHECK ..BUT I WONT AND IM GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU ARE IN THE SAME MIND SET AS ME AND OTHER DIRECTORS.......OUR GOAL IS TO PUT H.I.S.D..BACK WERE IT BELONGS.....AND THATS ON TOP....I SEE THAT PROGRAMS THAT WERE STRUGLING..LAST YEAR ARE GROWING NOT ONLY IN NUMBERS BUT IN MUSICAINSHIP, CHARATER, PRIDE..DISAPLINE..AND ECT.......AS ONE Of MY COLLEGE BD WILL SAY ...
( ITS A SHAME THAT WE CAN NOT PULL KIDS FROM OUR OWN TOWN..TO BUILD THIS BAND...YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE AT LEAST 128 FRESHMAN EVERY YEAR FROM HOUSTON ALONE)
ANd YA KNOW WHAT..... HE IS 100% RIGHT....I THINK WE ALL NEED TO TURN IT UP SOME NOTCHES AND START BUILDING "GREAT PROGRAMS" NOT JUST (OKAY), (GOOD) ,(ALRIGHT) BUT..
"GREAT PROGRAMS"
ALRIGHT GOD BLESS
BUT UMM YEAH..SORRY FOR THAT LONG AZZ PARAGRAPH...LOL
E.Rock- PHISG05 said:
This is exactly why i created this post. To get the ideas and concerns of different individuals. I never specifically said "feeder schools" i mentioned a DIRECT FEEDER middle school. Black middle school has not had a program for several years now. Oak Forest ele has a pretty good ele band under Mr. Proko and leaves these kids hanging with nowhere to go other than maybe Hogg, Hamilton or MC Williams. And to Goldy, i agree with you as well. Mr. Stephens has probably created the most consistent band program in HISD (in my opinion). He has put in alot of work, but he has shown me so far how he has approached not having a feeder school and deal with other issues that im sure other band directors encounter. I guess using him as an example is invalid since he's been here for so long.
I guess i should introduce myself to those that might not know my background. I am a product of HISD. Graduated from Lamar High School a traditionally corp style band (under Richard Smith) and about to graduate from PVAMU with my bachelors in music with an all level certification (studied under Joseph Colarusso). My reasoning to post this thread was to view problems and issues that arise in creating, reviving or upholding band programs. I am currently student teaching at Waltrip HS under Mr. Stephens and Mr. Espinosa. Their recruitment tacticts are some that most band directors should see. They always mention to me "man, other schools think we have it made...we just take a different approach"
But in my personal opinion, i just dont believe in excuses (whether the outcome is good or bad) you deal with what you have and make it work. Unfortunately, everything our bands represent seem to reflect solely on the director. (even though we all know that is not true at all) Im not here to act like i know it all, because i will be the first to admit i dont. I am here to learn from different mentors and take their teachings to prosper in my own program.
Im in no way shape or form degrading anyone's program, just trying to see what other schools have to deal with and how they go about approaching them.
and to Big Al, i am currently considering my options come my graduation this dec. If you have any leads, ill send you my references of directors and professors ive worked with.
I do acknowledge the fact that creating a band program from scratch will be hell, i am just one of those directors that wont bounce on those kids and will endure hardships to create a respectable program.
Whats the MAIN excuse you've heard BD's say in not having a succesful program?
I've heard so many excuses or reasons band directors have given as to why their program is not succesful? What are some that you have heard? For…
Replies
Seems like everyone always wants to put the blame on someone else rather than themselves. (and im speaking in general situations in life)
We all know how HISD operates and come January when im fully certified, i hope to aid the district at a campus to flourish our band programs.
James Ledford said:
As far as excuses, its a fact that building a program is hard without support. Lets see some of you teach a beginner band in 9th grade and have to actually compete. You will get smoked at least to begin with. In HISD most of us directors have been at our schools 5 yrs or less and have to work with scraps. However, we continue to fight every day anyway. Hell last year, I had to write my own show for UIL because their was no money and even had to take off work to do it. Some of us hang in there but a lot of directors bounce. HISD changes directors more than any other school district in the state.
Until you guys step into the band director's position, you wont understand what it is we go through.
how do you get kids...that are in you 8th period band class learn an instrument
AND PLAY IN YOUR AFTER SCHOOL BAND / PROGRAM..... when
1) They dont want to...
2)They just in the class to chill
3) you cant get rid of them because the office wont change the classes
4)and you cant flunk them because they still do there work......
5)there parents dont want them to play in band after school
6)and every year you gain 10 folks, you end up loseing 10 folks.. wich keeps your band at 20 people
7) and now the administration want a bigger band now....
with that being said ......lets say you start off with a I DONT KNOW..A 20 PEAICE BAND...... but you got 300 kids all together that are in your 2 band classes together ...... but then again out of the 20 kids you already got...only 10 are gonna stay and really be in the band ....what do you?..........AGAIN ..IM NOT TRYING TO TALK DOWN Or WHAT EVER....I JUST WANNA KNOW????
OH AND WALTRIP DOSE HAVE A FEEDER SCHOOL'S I STAY ON THAT SIDE OF TOWN..AND KNOW THE BD OVER THERE..AND (BLACK MIDDLE) AND (HAMILTON MIDDLE) FEEDS WALTRIP....SO ....YEAH......
Goldy_1914 said:
I guess i should introduce myself to those that might not know my background. I am a product of HISD. Graduated from Lamar High School a traditionally corp style band (under Richard Smith) and about to graduate from PVAMU with my bachelors in music with an all level certification (studied under Joseph Colarusso). My reasoning to post this thread was to view problems and issues that arise in creating, reviving or upholding band programs. I am currently student teaching at Waltrip HS under Mr. Stephens and Mr. Espinosa. Their recruitment tacticts are some that most band directors should see. They always mention to me "man, other schools think we have it made...we just take a different approach"
But in my personal opinion, i just dont believe in excuses (whether the outcome is good or bad) you deal with what you have and make it work. Unfortunately, everything our bands represent seem to reflect solely on the director. (even though we all know that is not true at all) Im not here to act like i know it all, because i will be the first to admit i dont. I am here to learn from different mentors and take their teachings to prosper in my own program.
Im in no way shape or form degrading anyone's program, just trying to see what other schools have to deal with and how they go about approaching them.
and to Big Al, i am currently considering my options come my graduation this dec. If you have any leads, ill send you my references of directors and professors ive worked with.
I do acknowledge the fact that creating a band program from scratch will be hell, i am just one of those directors that wont bounce on those kids and will endure hardships to create a respectable program.
( ITS A SHAME THAT WE CAN NOT PULL KIDS FROM OUR OWN TOWN..TO BUILD THIS BAND...YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE AT LEAST 128 FRESHMAN EVERY YEAR FROM HOUSTON ALONE)
ANd YA KNOW WHAT..... HE IS 100% RIGHT....I THINK WE ALL NEED TO TURN IT UP SOME NOTCHES AND START BUILDING "GREAT PROGRAMS" NOT JUST (OKAY), (GOOD) ,(ALRIGHT) BUT..
"GREAT PROGRAMS"
ALRIGHT GOD BLESS
BUT UMM YEAH..SORRY FOR THAT LONG AZZ PARAGRAPH...LOL
E.Rock- PHISG05 said:
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