Klarinet Archive - Posting 000189.txt from 1998/03

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Band Policies (was Marching Band)
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 1998 20:48:50 -0500

Roger Garrett wrote:

> ....but don't forget that there are people on the listserv who
> may have their eyes opened up a bit before going out to teach. There is a
> good reason to sit around talking to ourselves.

Good point.

> When are you joining the Band Boosters? Or...are you already on one??

Actually I need to get some advice from list members on some possible approaches
to try to convince our local high school band director to reconsider one of his
policies. Each fall, the students audition for their chairs. They then maintain
that position ALL year. They must wait until the next fall to attempt to move
up. There is no "challenging" or other mechanism for students to improve their
standing. I have heard at least one instance where a senior blew the audition and
was beaten out by a freshman. With no chance to try the change this, the senior
just kind of warmed the chair for the rest of the year. In previous years, the
student had worked on trying to improve.

When I was in school, the challenging system really kept players on their toes and
added to their motivation to improve their abilities. I enjoyed the challenges
whether I won or lost (and I did lose several). Even if a player is not interested
in issuing a challenge, they still must fend off the people coming up from below.
Both the challanger and the challenged improve through this mechanism.

I'ld like to convince the director to change this before my daughter (now in 5th
grade) gets into high school. It is my belief that she will work harder and
improve more if she is in a system that allows challenges.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD