 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 2000-08-05 22:47
Oka, before he spent one day on the job, my director (the new one) quit. He quit supposedly because of pay, he felt he wasn't getting the support he wanted from the parents, and the fact that we don't have a place to practice our drill before school starts. (Long story...don't ask) So what do I do now? I've decided to quit band...on my schedule the band director's name is To Be Announced. I think I'll stay in my Youth Orchestra and w/ my private teacher but I also feel as if I lost some of the fun in playing. I don't know. I guess I'm fed up. So what do I do to get the fun back?
Sophmores foreva,
Nicole Y.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-08-05 23:31
Nicole Y. wrote:
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Oka, before he spent one day on the job, my director (the new one) quit. He quit supposedly because of pay, he felt he wasn't getting the support he wanted from the parents, and the fact that we don't have a place to practice our drill before school starts.
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Well, I'd probably be looking for a better job, too, if I wasn't getting the right pay, had no support, and no place to work ...
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I think I'll stay in my Youth Orchestra and w/ my private teacher but I also feel as if I lost some of the fun in playing.
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That's life. It isn't all fun & games. Perhaps you can now spend more time concentrating on the orchestra and working with your teacher on some of the fine non-band music.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-08-06 01:18
Never quite or start anything because of someone else. Do what is best for you. You can not control factors outside of your ownself Stay with or get out of music because that is what you want to do.
As for me I would stay with it and try to work within or without of the system. After all the fun of anything is if you enjoy doing it.
Playing the clarinet is for you number one and then for others number 2.
Peace
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-08-06 02:31
I agree with Bob, Nicole. You have to do what is best for you and only YOU can decide what that is. Real life isn't always fun, as I'm sure you are finding out. Who knows, the "to be announced" teacher may be great!
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Author: Stephanie
Date: 2000-08-06 02:34
Well, I'm in band, and I guess what it came down to is that I love it too much just because of someone else. I've even had several arguments with my parents because I didn't want to quit. You do whatever you think is best. You'll still have orchestra and your lessons, which is more than I can say for myself, and you'll still be involved. If you think you can live happily without being in band, then by all means, quit. Then you can concentrate on other music instead of the band stuff. I don't know if I would've quit. In fact, if you had had the same director as I did back a couple years ago, you would really have to see if you love band enough to stick it out. I'm rambling on here, so I'll stop. I'm sure you get my point. Good luck!
Stephanie H.
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-08-06 02:46
I agree with most of the above advice, I wouldn't quit now, when the next guy to come could be that one person who could change your life for the better. If you think you can still have fun playing without tha band part, then by all means do what you think is right for you but don't the presence or absense of something or someone influence your decision, because its your life and you're the one who has to live it day in and day out. As for myself, like you I would still have the two option that you have; orchestra and private lessons, but without band my music would feel, I don't know incomplete? Even though the music is super easy, I wouldn't have the oppertunity to march and play music and have fun with all of my friends. In other words music would slowly become boring with no spice. Oh by the way are you a sophmore in high school or college?
Sara
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Author: Kim L.
Date: 2000-08-06 04:02
Nicole, I would not quit if I were you. I am entering my second year as a music major and love music. It is literally all that I can think about. Throughout the summer, it felt like something was missing from my playing. I really missed playing in the band. Band adds a spark to everything that I play, whether I play chamber music, or solo music.
If you feel that you would enjoy missing out on the band, then quit. But if you feel that band adds something special to your overall playing, stay in. However, it is your life and your decision.
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Author: GKF
Date: 2000-08-06 04:48
Hi
My advice is to stick it out. I agree that you should do it for YOU, but I also have something else for you to consider. The "TBA" band director is going to have quite the situation on his/her hands, it sounds like. That person is going to need all the support possible from the students. This might be an excellent opportunity for you to have a leadership role, because the new director will NEED you. His/Her job will be easier if someone like you can help out - informing him/her of things about the way your school works, and helping him/her with the exciting new things that can be started.
Only you can decide what's best for you -- Good luck and have a great year!
GKF
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Author: Meredith
Date: 2000-08-06 05:00
Our band director just left after having been at the school for 20 years. Nobody knew what to do. He said he was retiring, he was tired, wanted a vacation, etc. Turns out, he was having problems with the school board and is now directing a tiny 1A band (we are 5A). For a while I thought about quitting and graduating early since band is really the only thing I am sticking around my senior year for. But then I started listening to everyone's comments about how we would be awful this year and how everyone would quit and stuff and I realized it was my duty to stay and now I am so glad I did. We started rehearsals last week and I am section leader and quartermaster. I have alot of responsibility b/c the new director doesn't quite know what's going on yet but our band seems to be doing great. I am section leader of 40 clarinets and they all look up to me. It's a great feeling to know that you are really doing something significant and that you are needed. Band is not quite like anything else. I have learned patience, persistence, teamwork, leadership, confidence, integrity, and the list goes on, all in the band hall. I love music, but it's working as a team to achieve a common goal and the feeling when you succeed that makes it all worth it.
BTW, I would like to point out that not all marching band music is easy. I come from a strict precision military marching band from Texas and we play traditional marches that most bands only play when they are sitting down during concert season. This year for marching contest, we are playing Robinson's Grand Entry March, Carrollton March, War March of the Tartars, and Cyrus the Great, all by K.L. King. If you've never seen or played these marches, I assure you that they aren't a piece of cake and that my skills as a clarinet player have grown as a result of learning them. I consider myself lucky to be in a military band.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-08-06 22:57
Nicole has been on & off now about joining band for well over a year, and has made some "interesting" comments in the past about a different band director. I feel at this point that if she's still stressed out about band it'd be best for all if she didn't rejoin this year.
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Author: Graham Elliott
Date: 2000-08-07 11:32
But the problem is, if you flounce out now, why should anyone want you back again when/if band improves? You'll be marked as a fair weather friend.
Mark Charette wrote:
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Nicole has been on & off now about joining band for well over a year, and has made some "interesting" comments in the past about a different band director. I feel at this point that if she's still stressed out about band it'd be best for all if she didn't rejoin this year.
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 2000-08-07 14:20
Actually, I doubt there will BE a marching band this year. We don't have anywhere to practice. The person who planned when everyone could get on the fields at the new school (that's the best part....new school) put them under contract until the first football game. And if football can't get on the field, how much is a marching band? And I said I'd quit the band...meaning the class. I still love marching band. We have some good leaders and we've already shrunk 50%. I doubt they will get a band director in time for school because it was rather hard to get the last one. I actually agree with Mark C. 'cause I think the whole band is stressed. It's like we got rid of the do-nothing band director and we got one that was going to make a lot of changes...and lost him too. I really think it'd be better for me to drop band for this year. I need to take Driver's Ed and Psychology is a plus since that's my 6th subject for IB. With the private lessons and the Orchestra I'll be just fine. And actually, Orchestra music is harder and in private lessons, I get things done! I sorta lazed on the Orchestra last year so this year I think I can give it my full attention. You'd be surprised how busy it can get.
c/o 03
Nicole Y.
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Author: William
Date: 2000-08-07 21:29
I'm a bit confused about the "we got rid of the do-nothing band director and got this really great new one....." statement. If "we" refers to the students, such as yourself, then there are more serious problems existing in your band than salary and scheduling glichs. If there is the kind of attitude problem within the ranks of your fellow band members that the above statement suggests, perhaps all of you who have decided to be quitters should try harder to cooperate with whomever you are lucky enough to get as a director and try to make things work, rather than deciding before the fact that they will not. It sounds as if you have made good plans to continue some quality playing, but don't be the leader of the exodus that could cripple your schools music program further. The status of school music programs is fragile enough in these days of inflated costs and inclusive educational programs that require more time and expense than some communities can handle. So (pardon my pun), get BACH in there and keep your band program going as best it can. Just a though for you--good luck.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-08-07 22:56
William,
Do a search on Nicole and you'll find some of the history. All I can say is that I'm glad I'm not a band director at her school ...
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Author: Laur
Date: 2000-08-08 00:09
Nicole,
It sounds like you have your mind pretty well made up. Whatever you do, know that I support you, and that music is what you make it. It can be a life, it can be a friend.. it can be fun, it can be work, it can make you cry, can make you laugh. It has the possibilty to make you absolutly miserable, or happy.. It's whatever you make it to be. When you commit to something, musically or in life, give it your 110%, give it your all. Because reguardless how you walk away, regardless if you were successful or a failure, if you gave it your best you should be proud.
Best of luck with music. Keep playing, don't let anyone push you down, or stop you from playing. If you truely love music, it shouldn't matter who is in front of you conducting.
Keep in touch -
Laur
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Author: Meredith H
Date: 2000-08-08 01:58
I thought you made up your mind ages ago to give up band. I personally think you will be missing out on entire different genre of music by only playing orchestral clarinet music and not band music. This doesn't mean you won't play the clarinet well but I think learning different styles very important to your overall development as a player.
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Author: Ron D
Date: 2000-08-08 04:37
If you want to get the " fun back in your life "Stop crying about events that are beyond your control and take up some activity that pleases you, Golf might be a good substitute, and as a bonus you may even like your instructor and fellow players. You dont seem to have a strong commitment to your musical education. You and only you can find a real purpose to your life, Dont depend on other people.
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 2000-08-10 15:57
Well I met the new band director. (The last one...this one has a contract!!!) We made an agreement that I had to wait 4 days to quit class. He's really nice and the drill HE wrote (wow!!!) is awesome. He said that if he doesn't challenge his band, then we have every right to drop out. He even showed me the music we'll be playing, and amazingly, I have played one of the pieces at CSU band camp this summer! ('Course I played 3rd then...) I really don't like the attacks on my commitment to music. I went to CSU band camp, even though it cost an arm and a leg. I have a private teacher. I am in a Youth Orchestra. I am in marching band. I am in band class. So what more do you want? Granted, my commitment to band has not been at its peak since I got into high school. However, you may ask my fellow band mates if there was a competition I wasn't at, a practice that I didn't attend if I could, if I didn't learn my part, and do my part. Yesterday I tried to get the 1st trumpet to actually try playing the drill because I want MY band to beat our arch rivals. So please do not question my commitment. I gave my all last year. I was there. This year, I have already committed. I'll be here.
Much love,
Nicole Y.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-08-10 16:52
Nicole,
I for one will always question your commitment because of your history here on the BBoard. Approaching clarinet playing as a competitive event ("I have to be first chair, I have to be in the best band, I have to win this competition, I have to ...") keeps emphasizing the word "I". Maybe you need to step back and remember that you're part of the team, and sometimes we have to support other people rather than always taking the lead position. Ask anyone in a professional orchestra what it means to support the principle - in many cases the supporting role is significantly harder technically than the principal's role.
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Author: Kim L.
Date: 2000-08-10 17:35
I am full agreement with Mark. Last year, at the first meeting of all the music majors, the department head said that the most important word is "we" and the least important word is "I". We are included in a group and work together to produce the best possible product.
Anyway, even fourth graders who are just receiving their instruments are given a "no quit policy" to see if they like playing. How can they say they actually like music if they only blow one note into it and say I quit?
Nicole, you should stay with this band director for the first and second quarters of the school year, then drop out if you still hate the band director. What do you know, your holiday concert could bring hard music!
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 2000-08-12 12:30
I can't do that. We have a state rule. You have to drop in the first 5 days or you don't get credit. I do music for me. Not for the band. 'Sides, if I stayed in it for the band, I wouldn't be IN the band. But newayz, I do apologize for offending anyone.
Bye.
::Kaos::
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