Klarinet Archive - Posting 000429.txt from 2003/10

From: Randy Ratzlaff <rratzlaff@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] [clarinet] reeds for beginners?
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2003 22:17:50 -0400

In all honesty......I was hoping to start 30+ this year. Now....there
are only clarinets in my class. No other "outsiders" are allowed. I do
get a lot done.......probably that "basic training" mentality :-) I
have to do a lot of planning and be organized.............and know what
I am talking about. Yes......I am always searching for new ideas. One
of my greatest fears is that when I finally figure out how to do my job
right...............it will be time to retire.

In our schools' band halls we have instrument storage rooms that are
very secure. Other than the principal and band directors......no one
has a key. When the music store delivers the rented horns or when a
student brings his/her horn to school for the first time......we tag
it., usually a label at first then an "official name tag". The only
mix ups we have is when students grab the wrong horn (without checking
the tag) as they go to catch the bus. We have never had a you know
what stolen from the you know what...........I am not jinxing myself.

In our school and with our methods the first several weeks are very
critical to us and the students. It is all about establishing the
correct fundamentals and great habits. We tell the students and parents
from day one "all horns will remain secured at school until we feel the
students are ready to take them home and practice correctly". The
administration supports us. We carefully explain to everyone
why.......in addition we have been doing it this way for 19 years. Know
one knows that there might be another way. :-) The secured storage is
VERY critical. If theft was a problem......then the horns would go home
on day one.

We do not have a lot of turn over in our staff. So we have a lot of
continuity. The administration and parents recognize that. Our program
has had a some success and the 5th graders cannot wait until spring when
it is time to test for band. Parents want their kids in the band and
they trust us........you have no idea how much that means.

Every few years we have a parent that challenges us on the "horn staying
at school". We always sit down and talk to him/her about why we do
it. We show them the instrument storage room. We talk about them
trusting us and having faith in what we are telling them. If they do
not trust you or believe in you the first week of
school.......well.......there are going to be more rough times ahead.
Might as well find out sooner than later.

Randy

On Monday, October 13, 2003, at 09:32 AM, Buckman, Nancy wrote:

> 27 beginning students at a time?!
>
>
> Randy, how you accomplish anything is miraculous. I definitely don't
> want your job. And how do you manage to corral 27 clarinets and store
> them safely (no thievery here) for however long it takes to get to
> where you use the whole instrument? Do you ever mix Joey's with
> Johnny's? How do your kids choose clarinets (brands)? How do you deal
> with kids who already own their own instruments and their parents don't
> want the instrument kept at school? And then there are all of
> Christy's questions too? Yikes!!
>
> Nancy
>
> Nancy E. Buckman, CPO, AFO, Technical Assistant
> School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
> Anne Arundel Community College
> Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
> Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
> E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu
>
>
>
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