Klarinet Archive - Posting 000246.txt from 2000/04

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] re: Recruiting students
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2000 07:31:36 -0400

"Aaron Hayden" <haydenmusic@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] re: Recruiting students
Message-ID: <003901bfa007$e6d99e60$c0358ad1=aaron>
I've done the same recruiting methods as David. This does work, but
sometimes politics does get in the way.
After a few lessons and good results, I usually bang heads with the band
directors, especially on equipment. If I feel my student sounds better on
a Grand Concert, that's a no no, since one of the local chain store vendors,
push Vandoren and the band directors, tell the kids only to use Vandoren
reeds, (even the Band Directors who are percussionists, or brass players)
they even go as far as inspecting the reeds. They also tell them that
them must get a certain mouthpiece, even if they sound like crap on it.
I've also run into problems, when doing master classes & performing for the
class, make sure you don't sound & play better that the band director, this
is a major no no, you will always bang heads with that director.
If feel sorry for the kids, especially when they're caught in the middle
of politics. Some of my kids actually dropped out of the school music
programs, because they could not take the crap. One student left the
school music programs and auditioned for the Youth Symphony and made
principal on the first try.
Aaron Hayden

-----------------------------------

That never has happened to me. Never had the problem of blowing away the
Director (hmm, wonder why...), nor the equipment problem. My students 100%
play the same reeds (GC), and Mouthpieces (depending on their level they
use 1 of 2 or 3 Mouthpieces from one of our sneezy sponsors). The Directors
just want them to sound good. My Directors would support my students if
they were playing on bundy mouthpieces, with a xxxx #1.5 reed if it sounded
good.
What bugs me personally is when the students get "too good" for their
school music program. I have to set them straight and stress to them that
the school needs their participation, and their talent to support the
program, and put their ego back in check. The last thing I want is for a
director to stop sending me students because my students are quitting their
program - it's bad for business ;)

David Blumberg http://www.mytempo.com/brightlight.htm "the Bright Lite"
leak light for Sax and Lower Clarinets
www.mp3.com/mytempo

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