Klarinet Archive - Posting 000785.txt from 1997/10

From: "Lou Polcari" <polcari@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Another "Band director from HELL" story!
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 1997 19:20:03 -0400

>Is there more going on here than meets the eye? A SINGLE incidence of
tardiness or
>disagreement should not result in such a major step as banning a student
from All-State.
>If it does then I would believe that the director has a problem. If there
have been
>chronic problems, that could be a different story.
>
>Roger Garrett wrote:
>
>> 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?

I sure would like to hear the Band Directors side. They have a tough job
and have the students best at heart. I would ask this student what he
thinks would happen if he were late for an Orchestral rehearsal or concert.
I wonder if he thinks the conductor would be "mean" if he were late of
the concert. My point is that life in the music world is tough.

Lou Polcari
polcari@-----.net