Klarinet Archive - Posting 000700.txt from 1997/10

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Another "Band director from HELL" story!
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 09:44:37 -0400

On Thu, 16 Oct 1997, Edmund William White wrote:

> I arrived to class 5 minutes late. When confronted by the band director
> at the entrance of the music wing, he immediately told me to go to the Tardy center
> (school rule: any student who is 1 or more minutes late to class is sent to
> the tardy center and receives an unexcused absence for the class).

He followed the rules.......nothing bad so far.....you were late...accept
it and get on with your life.

> My only opposition was that we have to march at a football game this Saturday, and
> that it was the last rehearsal we were going to have before the game.
> In addition, I am a section leader. He still insisted that I go to the tardy
> center. Sure.

Study the charts for the game at home, be concerned about your late
entrance, and work hard to show the director that you care about the team
effort of the band. He didn't cut you slack......why is that? Is it
possible that he is sending you a signal that he won't cut you slack for a
particular reason?

> As I was leaving the band wing, the director yelled, "I
> guess we've solved our All-district orchestra dilema!" I replied,
> "What's up?" He continued, "You're not doing it." After asking why I wasn't
> participating, my director said very bluntly, "You can't make it to class on
> time."

While he HAS the authority to cut you from the all-district orchestra, he
might have taken the time to speak with you after class about this
particular decision. It probably is best handled away from other students
and teachers with an explanation. To call it out to you as you leave the
room is not the best way to deal with it. You don't say you left
angrilly, but it sounds like you might have, and that could have caused
his immediate decision. You two need to get together....he needs to
communicate his frustrations with you, and you need to remember that he is
in charge.....whether you agree with him or not. Remember......that
attitude must be cultivated now.......because you will have similar
experiences when you attend college and when you take your first (and
second, and third.....) job.

Roger Garrett

ps....is the Copland the Rodeo?