CONCERT DAY WEIRDNESS

 Concert Day!  It's a great, busy, tiring day normally, with lots of nervous energy, lots of repeated questions, and dress rehearsals for all of the groups.  Except this one.  This Winter Concert was very odd - I wasn't at school.  I had meetings two hours away and returned just before students were required to be at school.  It was difficult to focus in the meetings and difficult to calm down once I was dealing with the pre-concert responsibilities. Plus, everything had to be set up the night before. 

Although I wouldn't recommend this course of action, we do what we have to do!  The concert was good and the kids learned a lot.  Overall still worth it.

TEENAGE EMOTIONS

 I often forget how emotional teenagers can be, or maybe I'm simply not as empathetic as I should be. I announced to the band that I'd be away for next school year.  The entire junior class ended up crying in the hallway. I had not expected that.  Some of them cried through several more blocks.

What could I have done to avoid this? The only thing I can think of is to have called a special meeting and told them at the end of the day. They still may have cried, but at least it wouldn't have been during rehearsal, and it wouldn't have affected other classes.

Thirteen years ago told the band that their previous band director had died. The juniors and seniors had both had him as a teacher. I don't recall any tears. What's the meaning of all of this? Maybe teens are less able to deal with their emotions now than they were then. Or maybe I'm just a little too ignorant. 

PEP BAND!

 We finally played our first pep band tonight. If we were missing one more student we wouldn't have been able to do it.  No trumpets and only a bass clarinet for the low section.  Out of the 15 or so kids there are a lot of strong players though, and they actually sounded pretty good.

Songs have to be chosen carefully when the instrumentation is so sparse. I think about where the melody is and who has it for every song.  It's way easier to think about ahead of time. Trying to think about the pep band's strengths and weaknesses during the game is much tougher than it should be.

AUDITIONS

 It's the season of auditions. The Advanced Rock Band and the Jazz Band both have openings!

ARB is looking for a guitarist.  There are like five kids interested. Hopefully one of them can handle it, but I'm not convinced.  Will they know their open chords?  Do they dare to solo?  Can they find notes to build power chords on?  The way the class is run, I think those are the most important things I need from them.

For Jazz Band I'm losing some senior leaders in the sax section, my entire trumpet section, and my drummer.  I think the drum position will be the most challenging to fill because no one has the experience.  I will have to choose music carefully next year so they're learning, they're challenged, and they feel good about the music.

It's always so hard to tell kids they aren't ready. I haven't done it too much really, since most kids have got in and the ones who haven't - it's obvious to everyone that they aren't ready. I need to have in writing what they need to work on. I'd like to develop a rubric like we use for All-State.  Not right now though!

STUDY HALL

 I'm so lucky to have students show up who want to play music in our flexible study hall.

• The drummer who has questions about his jazz audition, so we play his piece along with a bass player and vibes player (who's also auditioning, so gets the extra practice)
• The flutist who has decided to audition for Advanced Rock Band. She played Day Tripper, Rock You Like a Hurricane, and Sunshine of Your Love.  I think she can do this!
• The Concert Band drummer who misses a lot of class and has a hard time with rhythm but shows up because she wants do well and needs some extra help.
• Plus the kids who just want to be there experiencing all of this music

If you're a music teacher, you must have an open mind to all of this music and the stuff these kids wnt to do.  Because why not!? I'm all out running around working with these kids but they're so enthusiastic and learning so much.  So worth it.

Maybe YES, Maybe NO

I've been thinking about blogging again. Quick little entries. So I'm starting it up again but will I actually keep up with it?  Seems doubtful....

As we begin a new semester I'm filled with hope and a little dread. Not sure I have the energy to do everything I should.  Beginning Guitar classes are both starting now. Really focusing on reading. Some kids are picking it up very fast others are not. A few are reading really well but can't stay in tempo.  Hopefully if I stay the course most of them will get through all six strings - something I've never actually done.  Need to remember to get enough books before the semester starts next year!

• READING MUSIC on a staff
• READING TABLATURE
• READING CHORD CHARTS
• Combining those three concepts to play along with music