Klarinet Archive - Posting 000462.txt from 2001/03

From: Gary Truesdail <gir@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] band rivals
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 15:24:15 -0500

I read the several 'rival' messages here and was not going to get involved but
having been a clarinet player since grade 5 ( I'm now 59 and haven't stopped
playing) and was a band director for 28 years, I decided to make a short comment.

You may be the best clarinet player in your group but that does not count for
anything unless everything you play is a clarinet solo with band accompaniment.
Since that is not the case, what does count is how well your entire section plays,
sounds and fits in with the other sections at each moment in the music. Instead of
having a rivalry with your fellow section player, develop a rivalry between the
other sections and base the rivalry on which section has their respective parts
(1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) balanced, in tune with themselves and the other sections and
which section can most quickly go from the lead role to the accompaniment role.
Remember, how good you or your rival are compared to each other does not matter as
much as how well you all work together. A few stars do not make a great band. Your
rivalry should really be only between you and yourself. And the rivalry is 'can you
play it better this time that you did the last time'.

GaryT

Audrey Travis wrote:

> You know, I'm a band teacher, too, and I'd say that part of your solution is the
> band director's responsibility. Since a band is a team, all of whose members
> must support each other and produce wonderful music together, I would ask to
> speak to the band teacher privately and tell him what's going on in class and
> that it's very embarassing for you. Ask him to take this other clarinetist
> aside - privately - and speak to her. He can say that HE has noticed the
> rivalry and the tension between the two of you and that he needs her to keep her
> negative comments to herself for the good of the morale of the entire group.
> Don't be afraid she'll know it's you who complained. A decent teacher will
> stress to her that he noticed the problem himself. As for asking your clarinet
> teacher to turn this new student away, it's not really fair of you to ask - your
> wonderful teacher needs to earn enouhj money for a decent life, and this is his
> way of doing it. Besides, if he does take her on, perhaps he can subtly
> influence her to be, if not supportive of, then at least quiet and tolerant.
>
> By the way, I admire your maturity.
>
> Hope some of this helps or gives you a new perspective on the problem.
>
> Best wishes,
> Audrey
>
> NothingToHide15@-----.com wrote:
>
> > This is just an interesting tidbit on a situation that I am encountering.
> > There is not much to be gained from this, other than maybe a little
> > entertainment and a recollection.
> >
> > If you were not always the solo chair, hot-shot player, you will probally be
> > able to relate to me. See, this girl Megan currently has the solo chair
> > position (atleast in freshman band) and there is no descrepancy that she
> > should have it. Of course there is that jealousy between us and her
> > uneasiness that I may someday be able to pass her, but I have always tried my
> > hardest to be civil. Recently, she has started talking about me right across
> > the room in class and putting me down every time that I make a mistake. So
> > then today, my band director told her of my clarinet teacher to give a call
> > to look into private lessons. Then, he asked me to give it to her. Now, no
> > matter what my feeling are towards her, I will give it to her, but that is
> > just getting me mad. I am going to talk to my clarinet teacher today, because
> > we have a very good relationship and ask him if maybe he could just recomend
> > her to someone and not take her on. He's very busy anyway. If not, that's
> > just something else to deal with. In all honesty, I wish her the best of
> > luck, I just wish this fighting could stop. We are going to be together for
> > another four years.
> >
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