 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: obtuse
Date: 2004-02-20 18:49
I was reading the "Director Decision" thread and it got me wondering as to what your opinions were of what an acceptable excuse for missing a (mandatory or otherwise) rehearsal would be?
What hit me was that one poster had written that your mother dying suddenly and unexpectedly would be a valid example because you had no choice in the matter. At first, I accepted that as pardonable (issues with my own mother aside), but then realized that kind of exception would go against many things I was told as early as I can remember. The statement was probably meant to have some emotional appeal, because of course everybody loves their mother, but some people also love an ice cold Bud at 9 a.m.
I can remember one instance during my junior middleschool days (a separate school between elementary and middle school) when my English teacher had assigned that we complete a page of math problems and an ad for an imaginary restaurant, and that under no circumstances would we be excused from this assignment unless we were in the hospital on our deathbed. Of course I knew that she was kidding, probably, but I still thought that was an interesting angle. She's not the only teacher that's ever said that throughout the years, either. 'If you're sick, get it to school anyway. If you're dying, get a friend to bring it for you.' By 8th grade, I had developed a mighty caffeine addiction, staying up late into the night writing dissertations on why I thought history was an important subject, and translating the constitution and all its amendments into modern english anyone can understand, and writing angsty poetry and searching through my thesaurus for words that rhymed with "blood." I never took them literally, but I admired the sentiment.
I didn't take it seriously until highschool when the band directors I felt really meant it. If you missed a rehearsal the days before a performance, you were out of the band; there were enough competent, excellent, students who bothered to show up to make you completely expendable. Circumstances and effort meant nothing if you flubbed that run or couldn't get a ride; what it all boils down to is that you didn't get it done when you needed to.
I was reminded of a bandmate who missed a funeral of a close relative of his so that he could make a mandatory rehearsal the night before a performance. For a highschool band (albeit a darn good one). And at the time I thought that admirable and I still do. So that's the kind of commitment I try to hold myself to and expect of others. I mean, Nana's dead, right? nothin' you can do about that. music is forever.
So, your mother is dead or dying; that's something you can't control. But you still have a choice between going to her or making your mandatory rehearsal or performance. What do you do? Well, your fingers still work...
You have a choice in whether you're going to get wasted the night before a rehearsal and not take a chaser afterwards. You don't have a choice in the hangover. You do have a choice with whether or not you're going to suck it up, though, and go the next day. Same goes if you're sick.
I guess the only excuse is if you got struck by lightning and your hands get stuck to your keys everytime you go near your clarinet or a tree fell on you or somethin'.
I guess what I'm asking is:
If it were a good enough philharmonic, would these conditions ever be acceptable to you? (I suppose you can define 'good enough' for yourself: musically, idealistically, monetarily...)
and What standards do you hold yourself and others to?
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-02-20 19:25
Yeah, I would prolly miss a performance or rehearsal is someone I knew was dying or something. I guess cuz being school means nothing is as important as family.
I remember in high school, we had a marching band that was quickly getting better. We had one chapter competition that one of our (few) trumpet players was going to miss because he had pneumonia. And would you believe it, he actually came and competed anyway?? He had to go back to the hospital for a nother week or so, but he came. lol We also got first place.
But at another time, one of our 3 sax players didn't show up to a competition and when asked the next day why he didn't come, he said that the fuel cell of the plane he was coming in on blew up on the tarmack. Likely story... wasn't on the news and he was still alive.
Yeah, then again, I never missed anything for music.
-contragirl
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-02-20 23:55
Hi,
Having to deal with creative college students all day somewhat numbs me to anything other than "a death in the family, your own!"
I am presented with all sorts of excuses at various times but the most creative was from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter who said he could not turn in his paper on time "because an iguana had urinated in his computer keyboard." Obviously, the class broke up but he did have the paper in on time (a little joke on the professor).
The key to an acceptable excuse is "something beyond your control." Hospitalization, a serious illness in the family that requires your presence, a military deployment (I have many students in the military), etc.
I always challenge students that if they can come up with an excuse that I have not heard in 16 years as a HS teacher and 24 as a professor, I might accept it. No one has really tested this challenge but the semester is not over yet!
HRL
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-02-21 14:47
Obtuse:
I think you missed one aspect of my posting regarding the mother's death and that is the director can and probably should make value decisions. If a student want's to make practice on the same day their mother died, that is a personal decision, although one I would probably question. A director that both demands attendence in such a circumstance and then takes punitive actions if the person does otherwise, at least by my value system should probably re-evaluate their own priorities.
I think the reason I used the example besides the 1st aniversary of my own mother's death was a band director who in fact did throw a person out of band because the missed a performance while attending their grandmothers funeral. The issue came to a head when it was pointed out that this same band director took off a week when their mother had died.
If you apply rules to those under you, you really need to be willing to apply the same rules to yourself.
Best
Rick
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-02-21 17:49
We are all expendable. That's why we have to behave as though we are not.
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Author: atl4413
Date: 2004-02-22 02:59
My 8th grade band teacher was one that didn't allow excuses. I was always scared to death of him, which was probably why I practiced for 2 hours each day after getting home from school. He'd rant and rave if you didn't know the piece, sometimes kicking students out of band that weren't "serious musicians".
I remember, I was sitting 2nd chair, and our 1st chair clarinetist had been sick for a few weeks (out of school sick - mono or something). Her first day back, and the end of the period, he handed out a concert march piece called, "Colorburst" by George Kenny and said, "we'll play it tomorrow - know it!"
The next day we started out and had gotten no more than 9 or 10 measures when he stops the entire band and makes her play one of the lower Altissimo runs. He then asked me to play the same two measures. He said that she missed a note, and then asked her to trade seats with me. Just like that - turned to the rest of the class and said, "that's what happens when you don't practice. If this was her job, she'd have been fired."
How's that for pressure in the 8th grade? Glad a family member didn't die or something.
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Author: johnsonfromwisconsin
Date: 2004-02-22 03:52
Sheesh!
Are orchestral conductors typically that harsh? I dont think an 8th Grade band teacher need be.
Death in the Family, to me, would be a decision left up to the player. Keep in mind, these can be extremely distressing situations. Expecting a student to perform under these situations is unreasonable. Though I can see why a proffesional would not be proffered such courtesy in the same situation.
Many players may decide to go through with the rehersal and performance to vent their emotion. Reminds me of the perfect example of this discussion: when the Father of Brett Favre passed away and there was an important game just over a day later. Favre chose to play and gave a performance that transpired mere mortal ability.
-JfW
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2004-02-22 04:57
An important part of being both an adult and a professional in any field is management of time commitments. Whether commiting to a paid job, a volunteer position or taking a class, attendance and preparation should be a given. If one is not able or willing to make the commitment, then simply don't make it in the first place.
That said... this is life, and stuff happens. We get ill, cars break down, the weather gets bad, family emergencies occur. Over 53 years, I've found that I'm much more likely to be given accomodations in emergency situations if I rarely need to ask for them.
No matter what your age is, its called maturity!
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2004-02-22 05:01
JfW.... exactly, that is what it comes down to .. the student.... the fact is highschool isn't a profession and if they need the time due to a death they should take it.... i personally played a concert in 6th grade a day after my grandmother died during the dress rehersal..... other people thought i should of been at home..... but playing helped me..... it's all about the person and what they can handle.... unless it becomes a problem... i was at a festival once and this girl was crying the whole time.... we later found out that she had a death in the family... now that shouldn't have happened... some people can't make that decision for them selves... so i guess i agree w/ the idea that it really never should be a black and white policy there is always a necesity to look at each case..... like if a kid's parent didn't take him on time..... is that really her/his fault if they couldn't drive themselves....
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-02-22 13:11
One's own death would be entirely acceptable. But in today's lenient society it would seem that "I got a hangnail." might be the norm of acceptability. Sorry if that seems supercilious but I came from a band where the motto was , "Results Not Alibis".
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-02-22 13:48
BobD,
Archie would be proud to have heard you say that. The motto was but one of the reason that the Joliet bands were so terrific (other than your fine clarinet playing, of course). It was a different time then; values and the work ethic have changed, unfortunately.
In the case of death in the family though, we all deal with that in our own personal and hopefully private way.
HRL
PS In thinking back to my years as a HS band director, I got further with team building than intimidation.
PSS Just watched some huge flocks of geese head N; has spring, sprung?
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Author: deepriver27
Date: 2004-02-22 14:25
I run a big kitchen at a nursing home and am forced through the local labor market conditions to employ persons of - let's just say developing senses of work ethic. Some of the excuses I hear for not coming to work would, if held true, would have hospitals filled to capacity, local law enforcement working overtime and quite possibly the Centers for Disease Control holding me in some sterile interrogation room.
Committment from a team of players comes from selling to a group of people a compelling task. Think of the variables that engenders.
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-02-22 15:16
(Hank Lehrer) >> Archie would be proud to have heard you say that. The motto was but one of the reason that the Joliet bands were so terrific (other than your fine clarinet playing, of course). It was a different time then; values and the work ethic have changed, unfortunately.
[...]
PS In thinking back to my years as a HS band director, I got further with team building than intimidation. <<
One will, I think, if one tries. But many are too insecure to try. It's easier to be "hard" than to do a hard thing.
About values and work ethics: How many leaders back in the day really were team builders? How many just hard guys?
Reading comments from those nostalgic for a golden age, I sense as much affection for the latter as the former. Maybe more...
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-02-22 15:27
Hi,
I am struck by the willingness and leadership continuim and the resulting conflict that seems to exist in the posts above.
Check out the work of Jane Mouton and Robert Blake at http://education.atu.edu/people/swomack/Teamwork/sld001.htm if you are interested in team building. The Ohio State studies are so very insightful and applicable to the problems outlined in previous posts on this thread.
The concept of Situational Leadership (I really believe in this) is a key to better understanding the dynamics of people, work, and leadership required. Check out the link.
HRL
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-02-22 22:35
I checked the link, but the Blake/Moulton principles were only shown on one slide, and that was illegible. I learned a little about situational leadership, but it was only defined on a few slides.
It strikes me that SL was not a quality much valued in olden times. In fact, it probably didn't even have a name. The time-honored ideals of music leadership (at least as expressed thru ancestor-worship) have more to do with the "teller" — the charismatic strongman visionary.
It also strikes me that a field that values "results" above all else is going to be highly outcome-oriented and very often reduce people to "instruments", ie, means to an end, in the name of expediency.
It's often said that very few people are really needed at work on any given day. The fact is that some people really ARE needed at their work, and that work may not actually be a vital basic service (police, fire/emergency/health services, national defense). I guess that kind of situation is going to develop a particularly stringent, stand-alone professional ethic that you either live by or make huge sacrifices to avoid.
<$.04 = a litle too high-flown for $.02, I think>
Post Edited (2004-02-22 22:43)
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Author: Katfish
Date: 2004-02-23 04:06
I still remember the sign hanging under his podium. Team building may be fine, but intimidation and "Results no Alibis" worked well for Chuck Peters.
John Kahrl
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-02-23 05:03
A mandatrory rehearsal should be just that: one which must be attended in order to be included in the performance. If the leader believes the rehearsal is that seriously required, so be it. If there are any excuses allowed, the director was only kidding about the "mandatory" importance of the rehearsal. For a genuine mandatory rehearsal, there are no acceptable excuses. If you are not there, it is presumed you won't be good enough to perform.
There is an old story about two friends golfing on a pleasant afternoon. One suddenly stopped, turned toward a funeral procession passing on a nearby road, and placed his cap over his heart.
His colleague said, "Bob, that's amazing. I've never seen you exhibit such compassion."
Bob replied, "Well, after all, we were married for over twenty years."
Ragards,
John
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-02-23 05:24
I thought that's what subs are for. You know, people who can jump in and play for you when something unfortunate and/or unforseen happens. As in "Mr/s. Director, I have <insert disease here>, so my friend <good clarinetist> will be filling in for me tomorrow." At least it works in situations where everyone really wants to be there, and filling an absence is needed primarily to maintain a balanced sound.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-02-23 13:21
A situation like that would really test the boundaries of a director who was a "9,1" professionally (concern for tasks over people) but "9,9" privately (equal concern for tasks AND people). (Thanks for that last link, Hank. I learned a lot.)
There are such folks, especially in the performing arts, where you have a basically liberal social conscience (egalitarian, expressive, sharing) combined with a basically conservative work ethic (authoritarian, disciplinarian, competitive).
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-02-23 19:21
Paulwl,
Thanks for the comment. There us another dimension to this as well and that is the willingness and maturity of the worker. Probably Hersey and Blanchard are the ones to look at. Let me see if I can find a good link.
The premise with Situational Leadership is there are certain styles that can be used with other quadrants of the Managerial Grid along what H & B call the Perscriptive Curve.
Here it is in German http://managementadvies.parantion.com/Hersey%20&%20Balanchard.htm for our Europeon friends.
Otherwise use http://www.people.vcu.edu/%7Ersleeth/HBFigure.html which is from one of the original books.
Just overlay this on the Managerial Grid and you really have something.
HRL
Post Edited (2004-02-23 19:22)
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