Klarinet Archive - Posting 000464.txt from 2004/09

From: OhSuzan419@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass Clarinet Sectionals
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2004 15:14:43 -0400

Oy, Rachel --

Some years ago, I worked for one year as the "band-aid" in a well-run suburban junior high band program. I worked in a "pull-out" situation, taking individuals and/or sections (as designated by the director) and working with them on everything ranging from basic orientation to the instrument to coaching on their Solo and Ensemble Contest pieces.

Most of the time, I was just winging it, because I never knew more than a day in advance WHO she was going to send to me, and even when I thought I knew, plans could change. One time, I got an ultra-beginning trombonist, which caused me to quickly learn the basics of trombone playing. Another time it was a electric bass guitarist who could play but couldn't read. Another time, it was coaching the brass ensemble.

The best times, musically, were when I got to work with the woodwind players on tone development and contest coaching. But then, of course, you have to factor in the social dynamics of this age group. The boys, as a whole, were serious and wanted to work. The girls, as a whole, were silly and wanted to giggle. (No, I DO NOT mean to malign female musicians -- I AM one, and I am serious and like to work. But the dynamic here was as stated.)

You can expect a certain amount of "testing" of your authority or leadership, too. Even though this was an outstanding Jr. Hi band that followed their regular director like little kittens and puppies, they routinely terrorized any sub who happened into the room.

Since I wasn't certified to teach in the public schools, when the regular director fell ill, they couldn't let me take the class -- they had to get a "qualified" sub. The first time this happened, the sub walked in to the band room (late), took one look, and exclaimed, "Oh, my God, no! It's a band!!"

Turns out she had NO musical qualifications at all -- just some certificate that gave her permission to teach all Jr. Hi subjects. And nobody had told her WHAT she was being called in to teach. She was just told to show up. What followed was a debacle. These normally good kids thwarted her every attempt to get them to do ANYTHING -- even tune up. It was one of the longest class periods of my life. The next time the director was sick, so was I.

And speaking of getting sick, that's the other occupational hazard of working in a middle school or junior hi program: these kids carry around every bacterium and virus known to humankind, and if you haven't been around a public school population regularly, you are at risk of spending much of your semester with upper respiratory distress or the flu. In my case, it was the flu, and it knocked me and my son (an elementary school student in another district) out for a month each.

So, get your flu shot, put on your flame-proof suit, don't take any wooden nickels, and be kind but firm. God willing, you may do them some good.

Susan

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