 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Meri
Date: 2003-04-30 17:01
Hello, everyone!
About two weeks ago, at a lesson, one of my students gave me the date for his upcoming school concert. At that lesson, I asked him if he was interested in performing a solo at that concert, the Romance from Stamitz's Concerto no. 3 or either the Carol or Romance from Finzi's Five Bagatelles, and he said yes. However, when he asked his school music teacher about him performing the solo, his music teacher said no!
It is not a question of quality; he plays them with exceptional quality especially for someone his age, and he has performed the Carol before, at a competition in February.
l also that his school band program is a rather poor one, judging by kinds of pieces the eighth grade band in his school is playing. I am not sure of the real reason for his music teacher saying no to him performing a solo at his school, but I would not be surprised if it's because he doesn't want the other students in his school (he is the only one with private lessons) or the other student's parents to be jealous. I would think that a good music teacher would want to show off their best students!
My student is really upset about not performing a solo at his school concert. I have asked my student to find out the reasons for not allowing him to perform a solo. His parents, with my student are considering talking to his music teacher about the situation. I might even consider having my student refuse to perform at his upcoming school concert if he doesn't allow him to perform the solo (what school music teacher wants to lose their best player?).
Any other ideas? Neither my student nor I nor his parents want to give in to his school music teacher. He is fully prepared for it, and wants more experience performing solos.
Meri
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Author: William
Date: 2003-04-30 17:21
The offer to perform a solo on the school concert has only positive educational merit and would be allowed on my school concert.
However, I would remind you that "your" student is the school band directors student first, and that you should take a more tactful approach. It is not your perogative to "demand" that he not perform in his schools concert, nor is it ethical for you to even suggest that to his parents. You should at least go to the director in charge and ask, "why??" Negotiation of the issues envolved will product much more mutually pleasant results for everyone concerned.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-04-30 17:28
I'm no music teacher, so I can't offer any insight to whatever music teacher politics might be in play here. I am, however, a PR professional and make my living trying to determine how the "average" person will make of what we do. And in this case, by not having him play the concert, it'll look like this kid is having a "it's my ball and I'm going home" tantrum.
Also, doesn't he have a grade at stake in his band class? Not playing a concert could result in automatic failure.
Finally, he'll be throwing away perhaps his only chance (thought it may be a crummy chance) to play in an ensemble, which is just as much a part of learning the clarinet as taking private lessons.
My vote: don't make a federal case out of it.o
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2003-04-30 17:33
Why is it that everyone knows how a teacher should run their program better than they do? There is myriad reasons for turning the kid down and none of them have to do with anything petty.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-04-30 17:55
You heard the director's answer. Let it go.
How old is your student? 13? If he/she is that talented I'm certain there will be other opportunities in the future.
"...I might even consider having my student refuse to perform at his upcoming school concert if he doesn't allow him to perform the solo (what school music teacher wants to lose their best player?). ..."
As a private instructor, that would be an awful message to send. Who would that really be hurting?
It sounds as if that spoiled adolescent attitude which we so often see is rubbing off on you...GBK
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Author: Heidi
Date: 2003-04-30 18:48
Reasons the band director said no, may not have anything to do with your student.
A band concert is generally given to show parents what all their children have accomplished within the program. Perhaps the band director doesn't want to show any kind of favortism toward anyone student and show off the whole ensemble.
My band director did it this way.....if you made All-State that year, you got to play a solo work during the concert and it was a very big deal...although the rest of us didn't understand it in the least, but it was still very cool.
Anyway, that's my bit...
Have a good one!
Heidi
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-04-30 18:49
Word of Advice........Next time, contact the school teacher BEFORE discussing a solo performance with the student. That way, the school teacher becomes your ally instead of a combatant.
And...if he/she says NO to you first......then u dont discuss it any further with the student... so no one gets egg on their face.JMHO
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Author: Douglas
Date: 2003-04-30 19:16
I"m with CPW on this one. A teacher should never put a student in the middle of a disagreement between two teachers. You should have contacted the band director yourself, and it sounds as if you still haven't bridged the communcation barrier with the other teacher which you have created. There has been quite a bit of wasted energy in this situation which could have been better used in teaching and learning.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-04-30 19:24
In my experience with public schools solo performances are extremely rare: I can only remember one in all the band performances I've been to. That was for winning a prestigious event.
Jazz band is different. Most everyone gets a solo.
Band cancerts are to showcase the band; recitals are for the individual.
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Author: Anon
Date: 2003-04-30 19:52
Let me see if I understand this correctly:
You are a private teacher with no affiliation directly with the school your student attends.
Your student is relatively advanced for his age. You asked him if he would be interested in performing a solo at an upcoming school band concert at a school at which you are not a faculty member and had no part in the programming of this concert, thus getting his hopes up for something that wasn't up to you to offer.
The band director said no, presumably because he/she had already chosen the pieces for the program that he runs and you don't.
Now you are considering telling the student to WITHDRAW from the concert if he is not allowed to perform a solo, thus making him look like a total prima donna while also messing up the other kids who are used to him being part of the section.
I can't even believe how many things are wrong with this scenario.
I think it is great that you are encouraging your student to perform as a soloist but this is way out of line! Perhaps you should have your own student recital where he can shine but at school, he is simply (at this point) a member of a SECTION, whether he is the best or not, whether the program isn't good or not, etc.
For the sake of that child's future attitude toward other players and teachers, the attitude of other kids towards him, and your reputation as a private teacher, I would not recommend this to be your course of action. I know you mean well and want to support your student but as a private teacher myself, I can say DON'T DO IT!!! I fear you'll be sorry in the end.
Good Luck!
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2003-04-30 20:06
As far a political standpoint, I see that as a lose/lose situation for you, Meri. Yes, it sounds as if you have a student that can play the music, but perhaps the band cannot work that piece up. I would say though that if you are prepared to go through with this, look at this at a business standpoint. If you tick the director off, you may not get any more students from that band program. Furthermore, this band director could call the other schools and tell them of your situation. I dare say that if you want to go through with this, you may lose a lot of potential students. As many others have already said, just teach the kid. Don't mess with the politics of band.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2003-04-30 20:11
Thanks, everyone, for your advice.
I will not do what I thought about doing.I now know I definitely over-reacted.I will apologize to my student at his next lesson, explaining that I should have asked his music teacher first before asking him if he was interested.It's a good thing I haven't met or talked to his school music teacher yet.
BTW, the concert is not just a band concert--it's an Arts Night, featuring the different arts.
We are doing the final preparations for his Grade II RCM exam in June, putting his recital together (for September), and possibly a concert at a senior's home or retirement centre during the summer.
Meri
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Author: Anon
Date: 2003-04-30 20:22
I think that's a wise move, Meri. I'm sure you are a very caring and positive teacher who only wants the best for your students.
Best of luck to you.
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-04-30 21:46
Anon..........well stated on both responses.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-04-30 21:48
In my concert band, everyone gets a solo.
Few of these are actually intentional, or as written.
Good for you that you care about your student's performances.
I can imagine the flood of demand for solos by EVERY kid with a horn, if this sort of thing was accepted.
School performance tends toward the middle, unfortunately.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-05-01 06:58
Most of what I would've said initially has already been very well said, and the points well taken by Meri.
I would add the following advice, learned over about 10 years of private teaching, 4 of which spent directly involved in several school band programs.
1. Be as independent as possible from the band directors and band programs. Just let them know that you're available if they need something. In the schools where I am involved, I use nothing other than the allotted time and space. I even provide my own bass clarinet and bari sax for chamber groups.
2. Offer little or no unsolicited advice to band directors. You may have a very important point to make one day, and you don't want to be tuned out. (I also observe this rule regarding my standmates when playing in community bands)
3. Develop your own curriculum and performing situations to meet the students' needs as you see them. Take any stated needs of local band directors into consideration but don't ask them to reciprocate if you can possibly avoid it. Any situation where you rely on someone else is a situation not under your control.
4. Teach your student to not to look for what he/she can get out of a performing group, but what he/she can CONTRIBUTE to it. (based on the needs of the group, that is) Being a prima donna or an excessive juggler of commitments can torpedo more than just a professional career. To be successful as an amateur often requires a player to help others to develop their own talents. Breed that team player now.
Allen Cole
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-05-01 15:54
Mitch K. wrote:
> (I have not read ANY of the response postings on this thread!)
Perhaps it might be a good idea to do so, especially the one Meri sent in response to the answers.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-05-01 17:42
Mitch K. wrote:
> Am I
> embarrassed or red-faced because I responded without reading
> the previous posts? No.
Personally, I think that bragging that you answered without any reference is something to be embarrased about. YMMV.
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