 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-04-27 21:07
Okay, looking for some advice again. This is not strictly clarinet related, but I have searched similar threads from the past and wanted to open a new discussion, if that's okay.
I have been teaching general music, chorus, and bands to grades 2-5. As a band person, I really enjoy starting and developing new players. However, an opportunity has opened at the high school in the district. It includes (drum roll, please) marching band. I haven't done this in years, but I am energetic and will work at it. In a few years, the Director of Fine Arts will be retiring, and this would be me in a much better position for that option in addition to the H.S. job.
Here's the thing - I love the little ones. I have also been spoiled by an administration that has given me total support. They are unfortunately leaving, and the positions are being covered by other local administrators, not a happy thought.
I would enjoy the opportunity to be able to direct a band that can really play some great music, and a choir that can sing SATB. Has anyone made this transition, and could you offer some thoughts? Thank you so much.
Sue Tansey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jenab
Date: 2005-04-27 21:12
I'll be interested in reading replies to this, since I'm curious about how to deal with new management and other high political people. But as for myself, I just play clarinet in the WV hills for an audience of goats, kittycats, and a few neighbors who are as reclusive as I am.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2005-04-27 21:30
Here's a random, non-musical thought for you: Whatever you decide, do not give up your place on the employment seniority list (however that is determined in your district). With all of the budget constraints in public education, the arts in general, and music in particular, are frequent targets of program cutting. While I admire your willingness to try the new position, do not do so at the risk of your tenure. And very best wishes to you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-04-28 02:07
3dogmom,
After 16 years of HS band directing, I was really happy to move up to university teaching in another area but I would not trade the experienecs I had in music for anything. Being a strong and able director for all HS activities is a given and your enthusiasm for marching band is a good indication that you will thrive.
However, the life lessons you learn as a HS director include how to fund raise; learining to work closely with community and parents groups; surviving in a highly political environment; being a team player with the secretaries, bus drivers, custodians, and cooks; and educational planning as well as curriculum development. Unfortunately, may of these skills are learned by "tests of fire" but others have gone before you and lived so...
I would try to keep your hand in firmly in elementary band though as this is your feeder program. Tomorrow's HS band is only as good as today's recruiting.
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2005-04-28 14:56
The last 5 years of my public school teaching career were spent at the Elementary level (grades 4-6).
After the initial shock wore off of having to teach the young ones and all that goes along with it, I had the most enjoyable time with them.
As trite as it may sound, the joy of their discovery of learning to play an instrument was a daily inspiration.
As an old educational axiom says:
"Big kids- big problems. Little kids - little problems"
Elementary instrumental teaching? The MOST important and overlooked part of the entire instrumental curriculum.
BTW- The parents of the Elementary students were very gratified and thankful of all aspects of the program. Unlike the high school parents who were a bit "burned out" after having attended many concerts throughout their student's life, the elementary parents were always there to support and encourage...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-04-28 21:12
Thanks for giving me your thoughts. I have to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed my past three years in this school, and have always felt I would be a very lucky person if I could continue there until I'm too old to do it anymore. Honestly, I don't have an urge to leave. The kids are wonderful, as are all kids, but more than that, they're just so much fun, even when they're exasperating. Where else could a person get hugged about a hundred times a day?
While objectively it make sense for my "career" to go for the H.S. job, I really think I may be happier in the long term where I am. I agree that providing the kids with a good foundation is important, and I get a big kick out of going to their concerts now that they've moved on and can play so well.
So I will check out the possibilities to be thorough; but I think that, where it really counts, I pretty much have made up my mind.
Thanks -
Sue Tansey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-04-28 21:34
hmmm...I was thinking about that too. I was planning on teaching at the highschool level right out of college (though some have said that you should start at the elementary level and some have said sometimes performance experience is great to gain before teaching), and then going for my PhD and teach at the college level. So I'm interested in replies to this as well, though I don't have to think about any sort of transition until...after 4 years of college and how ever long I would stay at the HS level...
-Lindsie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-04-28 22:13
Lindsie,
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but starting right out of college as a HS band director is quite rare unless you are an extremely gifted conductor, have a lot of other leadership experience, and get a lot of breaks along the way. Being a HS director in your early 20s is a very big challange unless you start at a very small school.
Also, to get into college teaching, a Ph.D. is just the union card. You will need many years of extremely successful HS and possibly community college teaching plus strong academic/performance credentials and recommendations to just get your applicaiton packet past the first review. Perhaps as a strong player/teacher, you might get an adjunct position but for a tenure track job, there are a huge number of hurdles to cross.
Better talk to someone that has done what you want to do first and then figure out if that is a realist goal and if so, develop a time line and action plan to achieve each small step that will be required.
HRL
PS Check my career path on my website.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-04-28 22:36
The reason this opening has occurred is that last year, the band director of many years lost his position under questionable circumstances. They were in a bind - I was not interested, and they moved up a young woman with two years' experience into the position. She has not been asked back. I think it's difficult when the age difference is so slight. There was a time when I, too, thought I couldn't bear to do any teaching that wasn't at the highest musical level. I no longer find that to be my greatest joy - I really do love the beginning process. I think it takes some seasoning, however, to get to that point. But just once in a while, some real music would be nice...I'll have to get that elsewhere!
Sue Tansey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-04-28 23:37
Sue,
Do not dispare about real music. You are young with lots of time ahead of you. Here's a couple of examples of how things can evolve.
I worked a lot of musicals when I was in Akron many years ago and I sat next to Frank Bradshaw in the pit. Frank was the principal trumpet for the Akron Symphony. He was a jr. high band director and refused to move up. He liked working with that level student and did not want the hassles of a HS job; he loved to play trumpet. He and I worked several shows as well and talked often about career paths; I learned a lot fron him.
So, the elementary teaching can be the day gig that makes it possible for you to do some real playing if you have the chops and the opportunities. Also, you are right on about needing some seasoning.
Years later (after many years of successful HS teaching) I was the runner-up for the marching band director's job at a major college in NW Ohio. I was crushed. However, 3 months later I was a new assistant professor at another major college also in NW Ohio heading up a new program in a totally different field. As the expression goes "be careful about what you ask for, you just may get it." Be patient but ready for sudden challenges. Make every break you get an opportunity.
HRL
Post Edited (2005-04-29 01:26)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-04-29 01:49
Hank, I'm not sure how the system works, but I figured it was feasible because I have met at least one woman who is right out of college and a HS band director. I live in CT, where there are plenty of small schools. My school totals 450 students, and many towns nearby are about the same...give or...well maybe not take!
hmmm...sounds like I have quite the path ahead of me!
I am not sure how you came to be a HS director, but I know that my director went into performance and did not start teaching until 6 years ago. He started with a class of kids and worked with them up until their graduation. I am quite sure he started at the HS level, taking the place of a newly retired woman. He's 42 now, so maybe he was able to start at the HS level because of his age and performance experience? I don't know. But I guess that doesn't affect me anyway, since I don't plan on going into performance.
-Lindsie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-04-29 02:31
Just to set the record straight - I'm actually not so young. When I was first out of school, I had the same teaching goals as Lindsie. However, it was during a downswing of the arts in the public schools around here. I ended up going into business, and stayed there for about ten years. Got married, had kids. I only happened back into teaching through a series of coincidences, and am in my sixth year. To be fully vested in the retirement program, I think I have to work until I'm 91.
I feel that having had children myself has totally changed my focus, from the music "product", to the education of the child.
Sue Tansey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brandon
Date: 2005-05-01 03:11
Sue, if you do marching band, think of the time considerations. I am a middle school band director in Memphis, and we have a marching band. When we are practicing for a parade or battle of the bands, I am usually at the school from 7a-7p. With marching band, often there is the summer band camp. If you enjoy going home at a decent time, stay where you are!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bnatural
Date: 2005-05-01 04:11
Just a few thoughts:
If you really are wanting that "real" music, is their an oppurtunity for you to be the "guest" conductor at the high school... I know that in my district this is looked forward to by many in the music department.
Sue, I wouldn't really be to considered with what posistion you end up in, from what I've read of your postings you seem to be their for the right reasons and will find enjoyment in all of it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kal
Date: 2005-05-01 04:37
Seems like they'll let anyone direct a marching band these days.
3dogmom, you say you have been teaching "general music" and chorus as well as elementary band. Do you have any marching experience other than maybe participating in high school yourself? Ask yourself these questions: Would you be able to analyze your group and create a properly balanced instrumentation? Are you familiar enough with the physical act of marching itself (properly! no bent knees! roll your feet!! I said 'crab', not 'bounce like a #@&* orangutan'!!!) or the proper execution of drill? Do you have the connections to build a decent staff (brass, battery, pit, guard)? Someone will need to re-arrange those stock charts.
The marching field is a far cry from the kindermusik class, and unless this is one of those "oh, just let everybody participate, who cares if we win or lose" programs, it would be a disservice to those students who take marching seriously.
PS - any clarinettist who takes marching seriously will play something other than clarinet  I did. And I loved every painful, dirty, bloody, sweaty moment of it.
/my $.02
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-05-01 13:31
I agree that I am where I am now for the right reasons, and I have decided to stay.
I already put in a huge amount of time where I am now. It's not mandated by half-time shows as it would be at the H.S., but it's necessary to do my job correctly. I give extra help, I'm working on a play, we're singing at a book fair, the list goes on.
As far as my qualifications for marching band, I am quite open about my inexperience but willingness to put in the time and energy to learn what I had to learn. Everyone started somewhere. Their numbers and ability levels were such that my being there would not have compromised them.
Thank you, everyone, for your ideas. I like the suggestion of "guest" conducting at another school, actually another band director in town and I have discussed doing this next year. I think everyone benefits.
Sue Tansey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-05-01 22:22
ever think of conducting an all-state band? or regional honor band? just a thought...I don't know what the qualifications for conducting those festivals are, but if I were you, I'd look into that, unless it's not a viable option.
-Lindsie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-05-01 22:27
I would love to do that, and actually have offered to do our local intergenerational band in the fall. I think usually the district bands are conducted by individuals with more high school/college experience. I think someone with primarily elementary school experience would not be desirable. I could help out, though, and get some exposure that way. Good idea.
Sue
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
