Great Band Directors

[altoclarinet123]

I have heard some stories about other people's bd's that aren't so great, and some that were amazing. I was wondering what all of yours are.

Mine is one of the amazing ones. His presence demands respect, but he is still a fun-loving guy. He gives the most amazing motivational speeches. He always expects the band to do its best and practice. He has a plan to improve our band and make it even better. And he has only been teaching two years.

Today he got one of the best compliments any band director could ever get. We had a guest composer come in because we are playing one of his songs. He was so amazed at how our bd prepared us, he got us playing the piece well, we were polite to him, we were dressed up and had pencils and bd gave us water bottles. The composer said something along the lines of "This man right here is great. You don't know how many ensembles I come and do this very thing and there is no respect and no one is prepared. He is part of the minority of great band directors - the best I have met in delaware, pennsylvania and new jersey."

Our bd was so happy. The small smile he gave every time the composer gave us a compliment grew and he was ecstatic. I completely agreed with the composer and I thought that our bd really deserved this compliment from someone he idolized so much. When I become a band director, he is the type of band director I want to be. (I am already a bit like him for my pure hatred of anything less than dedication - I was sooo pissed when my one trio member didn't show up two rehearsals in a row and that clarinet is lucky our bd is a percussionist and has nothing to do with woodwind ensemble).

[tubachick11]

I can't really vote for any.

My band director is a great guy. He's really nice, but he's not that great of a director, but he's not horrible by any means. He doesn't have much respect from the band. He doesn't demand much respect or control either.

He cares about the students a lot. He's also a tuba player and he'll work with me after school a lot. Anyone who asks for help gets it.

He just lacks some good control skills, and the ability to say he was wrong.

Ah well.

[stickshifty]

Yeah I can't really vote either. My director fall semester was an amazing conductor (but that's kinda expected if you have a doctorate in conducting), but he wasn't the nicest of people... He used the fear tactic to get us to learn our music, but it worked. And we had the almost the same thing as you, altoclarinet: we were playing one of Michael Colgrass' pieces and he said that we played it the best out of any group that had played it before. So now, we're the recording he gives to all the other bands listen to before they play it.

My director spring semester was just ... words can't describe the misery.

[hansel2011]

I would love it if mine was great all around...but now that I think, I guess I cant really vote. All this time, I have been thinking of my bd as a god and is an increadible direstor and guy...but he would only be considered to me as a great guy. He knows what he is doing with his students...but he lacks that quality to really teach. He is great, but I dont think he knows what to do to get to the next level and making the band better as a whole. Now on the other side of things, I love him more than anyone. He has encouraged and inspired me to follow my geart and go farther with my music than what I have ever dreamed. And now it is becoming reality. He is like a big brother to me. I can trust him with my life and he has made me a better person and musician. I am glad to have met him.

[heepwah2you04]

Neither of mine are. One basically just told my dad I'm never gonna get any better. So ya bye band!

[hansel2011]

What?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[heepwah2you04]

Um ya he basically told my dad that.The BD said I could still take PL then join band again, but ya I'm sick of them and all their *BEEP* so I'm done with band.

[hansel2011]

Dont let some stupid director stop you. If you love music...which I think you do, dont let him get in your way. Show him how good you are and proove him wrong.

[heepwah2you04]

You sound exactly like the email I got from my PL teacher. I can still play my guitar & have no stupid director drama to worry about.

[altoclarinets]

Really. Don't quit. Just because some people are insecure and mean doesn't mean you have to take it personally. And trust me, you will get better. Taking PL's helped me alot... I had gotten in a slump after being out on the day of a chairtest and sitting last chair for a year and a half. You just have to dig a little deeper and say, "I will rise above this nonsense and prove them all wrong."

[heepwah2you04]

im quitting.Band isn't fun any more & I'd rather take other classes.

[hansel2011]

i know you love band...otherwise you would not be on this website. i am not trying to make tou do something you dont want to do, i am trying to convince you to not make a horrible mistake. dont do this just becasue of your idiot band director...do this becasue you know it will help you. just think about it more.

[Deleted]

From the facebook page of my director...

We have shared triumph and tragedy.

We were together on that fall day in Delta when we screwed up Day-O, and this band placed last in the state. Did I ask ANYONE to quit then? When *I* wanted to quit, it was you guys who brought me back to a love of music. Remember when you performed "When You Believe" at Christmas last year? Can you remember the Standing ovation YOU got? Then the next year, we were together in my band room when the news came that my best friend had died. Did I cry with my co-workers? No, I cried with my musicians. You successfully marched at ZIA this Fall. Did that success cause me to say that ANYONE *in this family* was not good enough for my band?

Some people are not worthy of being in this family. I jokingly call them "civilians," or "dead to me," but it's not really that... it's just that they aren't... well, they aren't YOU. They don't get it, and they never will. I feel sorry for them, because they don't know. Or worse yet, they were once here, *with us,* and they gave it up for some reason. And I feel pity, but often confuse it with anger or contempt.

When you are a part of this family, and you give me your best efforts, I feel great pride. And protectiveness against those who would belittle or do it harm. Even the weakest link is still a link in our chain. I may be unrefined in how I correct your mistakes, too passionate in my opinion or expressive of my frustration, or not as gentle as I could be when offering suggestions...

...But if you are giving me your best, I know it and I feel it. And if you don't give me your best, or your respect, or take advantage of me, I know and feel that too. And I take it personally, when maybe I should not. And maybe I lash out.

It has nothing to do with musical ability; it has everything to do with character.

I am not the director who cares more about what his band sounds like than the amazing people who make up that musical family.

Your scales, your skills, your scores don't matter to me...

... as much as YOU matter to me.

Sums up a lot.

[heepwah2you04]

I don't like our directors and band is just too hard.

[hansel2011]

Oh my god. That is the greatest thing I have ever heard. That gave me cold chills. It almost made me cry. Wow, thats impressive. In my band, if you dont care, my bd doesnt care about you. Thats how it works. I wish my bd talks like that. He acts like that but he doesnt show it to everyone, only the few of us.


What do you mean your band is just too hard?