 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2005-02-19 17:27
I need some advice. I am a junior in high school, and last summer, one of my band directors announced to us that she would be taking a leave of absence for one year to take a position at a university in a city near the suburb in which the high school is located. She assured us that she would be back next year.
My friends and I have kept in contact with her over the course of this year through e-mail, and a few times took the bus downtown to see her on our days off from school. She is a very important person in many of our lives, and has had a great impact on our high school experiences. Not to mention the fact that she is a phenomonal director, and our high school wind ensemble was an amazing group under her.
Well, earlier this week I got an e-mail from her, and she told me that she was offered a position for another year at the university, and decided to take it. Obviously this means she will not be back for our senior year, and the chances of her returning after that are slim, we feel.
Many of my friends in the wind ensemble are considering dropping next year, because she won't be there. I admit that this year has been difficult, because, though our current director is very good, finding someone at the level of our former director is pretty rare, especially at the high school level. I feel that there are things that can be done to improve things next year, but what do I say to my friends who are considering dropping?
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-19 21:29
I would point out that no matter what, they would have only had limited teaching under her. At the very latest, four years throughout high school.
Point out that it's pretty much a fact of life. And that after high school they'd have to change teachers anyway.
Alexi
PS - I can definitely understand how different directors affect how the class goes. It goes with ALL subjects, but if they enjoy playing, they shouldn't stop because of a certain teacher. Just bear with it until they have the opportunity to take someone else (ie, in college or through private lessons)
US Army Japan Band
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-19 23:43
see it as an oppritunity. don't drop just because there has been a little change. personally, I enjoy working under different directors. and I'm going to cry my eyes out this coming June when I have to leave my clar. teacher and move on to a new one. it's generally the same thing. they're going to have a different director in college, so why quit in HS? it wont solve anything and they're not going to get any better. I think it's a passive-aggressive solution to something that can't be helped. just my thoughts anyway.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-02-20 01:10
You might point out to your friends that there are things to be learned from every director. They weren't there for social reasons, were they? Probably not, so if they really are there for the music they should accept whatever the new person has to offer and work with it. It's better than not playing at all.
Sue
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