Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2015-08-10 12:48
clarinetguy wrote:
> Ari, I can understand your frustration. I think the issue goes
> way beyond clarinet sectionals. The issue is that your band
> director really doesn't understand clarinet issues and is
> giving faulty advice, especially his advice about reeds. You
> really care and want him to see the light, but he doesn't seem
> to be interested.
Ari has said the band director has permitted sectionals in the past. His attitude toward their utility seems to have changed. Maybe he has a reason?
Ari, this sounds like it has become a power issue between you and the band director, so clarinetguy is right that it has gone beyond clarinet sectionals. It should not have come to that, but from your narrative it seems to have. Whatever the specifics of the reed advice incident may have been, at this point anything you do that appears to be an attempt to undermine the band director may be seen by him as insubordination - you should be concerned not to escalate the situation because doing so will not regain his trust. He is certainly not going to give you additional responsibility if he feels threatened or disrespected. Whether or not he should at this point is immaterial - your "heated debate" may well have caused him simply to dig in further.
It isn't so much a question of "sucking it in," but instead one of diplomacy and a sense of proportion. To help the clarinet section, if indeed they're willing to accept your help, you need to gain the director's trust. Since his attitude toward sectionals seems to have changed from previous years, you should probably give him the benefit of the doubt that, if his clarinet knowledge is weak, his understanding of teaching and learning may be stronger and he may have reasons for his change that he doesn't want to share.
Accept the situation as it is for the band camp and, if necessary, for the duration of marching season. If this has become a pure power struggle between you and him, one of you will need to de-escalate it before you can be of any help. In case there is something else underneath his change of policy, the best thing may be to let him follow his plan. If it works and the band performs well, all is good. If it doesn't, he may yet ask for your help, but not if you do something to further inflame the situation.
And remember that high school ends at the end of senior year for you and you'll go on to a new situation and new teachers. Also, that marching band season will end and the concert band is by far the more important musical activity. Save your most intense concern for the important stuff.
Karl
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