General Etiquette > Family and Children

school band follies

(1/6) > >>

Tabris:
We confirmed yesterday that my son is actually going to participate in the school band concert. The beginner students are only on page 2 of their books. They're playing one-line "songs" for their piece. One of them, they learned yesterday. Concert is next week.

Teacher sent home a note asking us to bring in music stands if we have any, otherwise there won't be enough. (Sure, why not? It only weighs about fifteen pounds, plus the saxophone, plus 4 textbooks.)

They have to wear their official band shirts all day. Official band shirts are short sleeves. It's been in the 20s and 30s lately. My son will turn into a kidsickle.

At least his shirt will fit, but only because I made a rukus about it. The school wanted to order only adult sizes for the student band. They're all 4th and 5th graders. The school nurse grudgingly agreed she could order a child large if I requested it. I requested a child MEDIUM instead, and voila, one shirt that fits.

He has to do three concerts, two during school and one after. He has to be there an hour early to rehearse with the band...for the first time ever.

He's *also* singing with the chorus. But not at the same time he's playing with the band...I hope. Given how well this has been organized so far, I can't say for sure.

The last concert will be over at 8:30. This is a hugely long day for a nine year old.

What is the etiquette of watching a train wreck?

Shoot us now. It's kinder that way.  ::)  ::)  ::)

stanthedevil:
I would recommend a long sleeved t-shirt or thermals under the band shirt.  That's what I have my kiddos in choir do who get cold easily.  I also allow them to wear a sweater or sweatshirt which they have to take off while we are singing.

As far as the band goes, perhaps a word to the principal or band teacher could get to the root of the problem and improve the program.  If that doesn't work, I would start looking at other options for Little Tabris.  Many areas have a youth symphony.  Also, if he takes private lessons, often the teacher will have studio concerts involving all of the students.  Some music stores that offer private lessons also have concerts involving all students.

Tabris:
I'd already told him to do the long-sleeve thing, so he's set there. And yeah, we gave up on the school-based lessons when it was early November and he still couldn't reliably blow any of the three notes she had already taught him. After two lessons with the private instructor (who ROCKS!) he was much, much happier and dare I say, competent?

I didn't ask the private instructor if he does recitals with his students.

I'm just so frustrated with the lack of planning that's gone on in the music program. He had the instrument for three weeks before the lesson schedule was even announced; the lessons were lame for the first month he *did* have them; what kind of idiot orders only adult sizes (small to XXL) for fourth-graders; and now the total lack of planning on the concert. I'm not even sure whom to complain to or about in this whole fiasco.

And the stupid thing is, now that we're doing the private lessons, he LOVES saxophone. They could have squashed that love of music out of him if we hadn't done that.

freakyfemme:
Wow......just......wow.  That teacher must be pretty lazy, because most students just beginning to learn to play instruments progress pretty quickly, considering the fact that the pieces are simple, and require almost nothing in the way of dynamics or interpretation.  It sounds like Little Tabris is enthusiastic about music, practices regularly, and honestly wants to learn, so getting him private lessons was definitely a good idea. :)  I just feel sorry for the other kids in the class, whose parents can't afford to get them private lessons, aren't willing to, or aren't aware that that option is available to them.  Those kids are just going to grow up thinking that music is boring, or too difficult, or that they simply have no talent. 

Edited to add:  About the music stands, it's possible to get lightweight folding music stands from most music stores.  I have one at home, and it's not in perfect condition (the little black rubber "feet" fell off many moons ago), but it still does the job, and I've had it since grade eleven.

RoseRose:
POD to freakyfemme.

I played an instrument (clarinet) in 6th grade through high school, and by our winter concert (2 months or a bit more after first picking up our instruments) we were playing full pieces of music.  Easy pieces (like Jingle Bells) but we were 10 or so pages into our book, maybe more.  And my teacher was not very competent as a teacher.  I can't imagine what Little Tabris's teacher is like.

Also agree on the music stand, though I treated mine roughly, because I got it in 6th grade, and it died a couple years in, but at that point I was at high school, which DID have enough stands.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page