The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Help! Band director doesn't understand the value of sectionals!

Author: as9934
Date: 2015-08-10 05:32

@brianhjazz I find it a bit insulting to think that you think I would just waste time and "hang out" during any sectional I would have. But I do understand why you would think that and it has been known to happen.
As to your second point he IS neglecting sectionals for large group rehearsals. My only qualm with that is that we work on the music for almost 6 hours every day 5 days a week in addition to any take home practice one may or may not do so I would have hope to have seen at least a nominal improvement in sound but so far nothing. I honestly don't think we need any more group rehearsal time.

@Paul_Aviles I like the idea of sectionals before and/or after rehearsals but I'm not sure they will go for it. We are at band camp for eight hours every weekday so the likelihood they will want to play more is slim. But we will try it and see. Maybe in the mornings.

@runner My band director plays the baritone. One of the reasons I sometimes question his judgement is because sometimes he says stupidly wrong things about clarinets and clarinet playing. He said the other day one of the new freshman should go out and buy a box of Vandoren Blue Box 3.5 despite the fact that it was clear she was struggling on a Rico 3. When I reasonably pointed out that I play on 3 reeds and they work just fine he said "oh that explains a lot" in a very sarcastic tone. Never mind the fact that some mouthpieces are not designed to accommodate a 3.5, especially not these stock buffet mouthpieces that they are playing on (I say mouthpiece in the loosest sense of the word) He says things like this often honestly because I think it is what he has heard from other wrong people. These are very easy things to address in sectional time and part of the reason why I want to have it.

@clarinetist04 I do not intend to be insulting in any way in my comments I simply wish to help. It is my opinion (and probably many of yours) that a good strong sound is one of the first things to develop in a young clarinetist. Our band director also clearly knows this, or at least he used to. My freshman year he hired a professional woodwind teacher to help us with the music and with developing good habits. We would have sectionals with for one to two hours every day. I attribute that to be part of my success as a clarinetist and I simply want the same opportunity for these kids as I had. You mention mutual respect. I respect him and his opinion so I'm not going to confront him any further. But I don't think he honestly respects my opinion and that is something I find troubling.

To all of you who simply said to "suck it up because he is the band director" your comments are not really particularly helpful. Band directors are not some sort of omnipotent being nor are they always right.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wind Ensemble
Buffet E11 clarinet , Vandoren Masters CL6 13 series mouthpiece w/ Pewter M/O Ligature, Vandoren V12 3.5
Yamaha 200ad clarinet, Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, Rovner ligature

Post Edited (2015-08-10 05:57)

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics