The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-08-22 15:28
A student of mine can't resume lessons till October due to Marching Band rehearsal at night once a week and
ultimate frisbee practice daily after school.
uh, you don't really want to hear my reply on that one ......
Any other "unique" lesson cancellation reasons out there?
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2007-08-22 15:35
You have to admit, this seems like a lot more strenuous and breath-taking activity than this!
Post Edited (2007-08-22 15:41)
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Author: Steve Epstein
Date: 2007-08-22 15:47
Aside from the croc Ultimate Frisbee is as legit a sport as any other. I played a very little bit while in college almost 35 years ago on "pick-up" teams when the game began and basically could not keep up with the running. You have to be in great aerobic shape; it's a real sport, just like soccer, which itself was ridiculed in the USA many years ago, not considered a legitimate sport, football with a round ball you couldn't throw or catch and you couldn't bash the other guy on the field.
Steve Epstein
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Author: Ed Granger
Date: 2007-08-22 15:59
The marching band should be rehearsing daily after school.
(Of course, I'm just another oboist on here, and there are no oboes in marching band, so what do I know.)
Ed
Post Edited (2007-08-22 16:09)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-08-22 16:37
Whiffle ball is probably a 'sport' too ......
It's the daily practices that if he misses 1 day out of 10 shouldn't matter much compared to not having a lesson since May (every other week lessons which are already at the minimum of acceptability)
I don't care if it were Track n Field, Football, Soccer, or Foozball - once every 2 weeks is not too much to ask for if the practices are every day.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2007-08-22 16:54
How about missing a lesson for a pajama party sleepover? But this student rarely misses lessons and practices a lot at home, so letting her go graciously was a no-brainer.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-08-22 17:45
Not meaning to stir up a lot of dissension, but what's wrong with a student deciding something else has a priority? I mean, no offense, and I know sometimes you'd prefer REGULAR lessons so you can plan ahead (I've heard of some teachers that charge one lesson ahead so that if there's an abrupt cancellation they still don't have to worry about not having filled that spot), but seems like you got notice that you now have a free block of time for a few months.
Seems to me like I would now have a guaranteed slot of time each weel to watch all those Tivo-ed episodes of powerpuff girls I've been saving . . . . uh . . . . I mean episodes of GI Joe and . . . . . aw screw it! Mojo Jojo needs to be stopped!
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-22 18:33
Whether or not you keep the student I would appreciate the advanced notice...
There are a serious number of YUPpy parents where I live. Not only are they so busy that it is apparently an after thought to inform me ahead of time they believe that their willingness to just "pay up" for no-showing is acceptable.
Hence the new studio rules this year...hee hee hee.
James
Let the student punting begin!
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2007-08-22 20:06
I'm way too nice to my students. I let them off frequently, but they do have to pay if they give less than 24 hours notice.
So far I've only had horrible reasons for missing lessons...a student earlier this summer was in the ICU for a while and one other one had MAJOR dental surgery (not wisdom teeth either). The other kid actually is a figure skater too and she crashed into the rink barrier and BROKE her two top front teeth in HALF. She'll be coming back soon...
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Author: pewd
Date: 2007-08-22 20:07
most teachers around here charge by the month, i've started charging by the semester. if they dont show up, i get an extra (paid!) practice session each week.
best one i've had so far : i can't come today, i have to mow the grass
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-08-22 20:17
The one cancellation reason I do not mind hearing:
"I got into All-State , so I'll be busy rehearsing and performing with the group during the entire weekend."
...GBK
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2007-08-22 20:19
I did the busted teeth too, three upper fronts, on a sled, on Christmas eve. I missed a few lessons for that, and was very happy when I could play again. That was in the 5th grade and I still have the bottom halves, under crowns.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-08-22 20:42
No, the student wasn't dropped at all - I heard back from the mom and they figured out a time that was workable.
For me it's the continuity that counts, the income doesn't even come into play as I'd use the time for someone/something else, but what is important to me is that the student has the lessons. The area I teach in is quite competitive - and he's competing against mostly my other students in his school (I teach all but about 2).
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-08-22 20:48
There's actually a book written about lesson cancellation excuses which is pretty funny. Can't recall the exact title right now, but I used to have it on my studio waiting room table for parents to read.
then I removed it when I wondered if they were memorizing it's contents for usage later.......
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2007-08-22 21:11
Well if a student figures he's got something more important than Praciticing or Having lessons, that's really his choice, right?
Just a thought here...
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Author: MichaelR
Date: 2007-08-22 21:18
"Because I haven't practiced since my last lesson and it would be a waste."
Gotta give some credit for the honesty.
--
Michael of Portland, OR
Be Appropriate and Follow Your Curiosity
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-08-22 21:51
Well if a student figures he's got something more important than Praciticing or Having lessons, that's really his choice, right?
-------------------------------------
Uh yes, but if the student is my student they take regular lessons and make scheduling them a priority.
That's only reasonable.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: JessKateDD
Date: 2007-08-22 22:10
I had a student cancel a lesson once because she had to spend that whole day (a Saturday) shopping for shoes for the Homecoming dance, which was two weeks away. I asked her how many pairs of shoes she already owned, and she said "60 or so".
She was a serious student, an all-stater. But she also had a shoe obsession.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-23 13:44
Jeff...
I wonder how many of the younger readers are going to understand that one!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-08-23 14:23
Good point, James. And along the same line, I guess we couldn't call her the "barefoot countessa."
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-23 15:47
DID her feet every touch the ground??
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-08-23 16:04
I hear you. I was never able to take lessons continually due to $$$ and practice time between them. But hopefully when I'll be able to remedy that soon and start having a lesson every other week.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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