I have a big problem with kids not showing up on time for rehearsal because they are involved in other clubs that meet at the same time. Have tried moving rehearsal times, but there always seems to be something in the way. I've talked with other teachers in the school and they all want me to share the time, but since I'm the largest organization in the school (don't mean to sound rude, but) should I really have to? Shouldn't they be working their schedules around me? Any suggestions?
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Rehearsal Attendance
Started by tbone0n74, Oct 28 2003 12:56 PM
6 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 29 October 2003 - 10:21 AM
There are just a lot of things usually happening around a school and community and some students want to be able to do everything.
I think you will always find that there is some sort of conflict with any time you choose. We all face the same problems you have described. To begin, you should try to educate your community (students, parents, teachers, administrators) of what your rehearsal needs are. Then after choosing a time with the least conflicts keep working to impress upon the students and parents the importance of attending rehearsals.
I don't think you are going to accomplish what you want by establishing bad relations with your fellow teachers. Explain your needs to them and see if there are compromises that can be made. Many times these conflicts can be solved but sometimes the student will just have to make a hard decision. We want to get good kids and find ways to keep them in the program but don't agonize too much if you can't keep those that aren't willing to make a good commitment.
Good Luck
I think you will always find that there is some sort of conflict with any time you choose. We all face the same problems you have described. To begin, you should try to educate your community (students, parents, teachers, administrators) of what your rehearsal needs are. Then after choosing a time with the least conflicts keep working to impress upon the students and parents the importance of attending rehearsals.
I don't think you are going to accomplish what you want by establishing bad relations with your fellow teachers. Explain your needs to them and see if there are compromises that can be made. Many times these conflicts can be solved but sometimes the student will just have to make a hard decision. We want to get good kids and find ways to keep them in the program but don't agonize too much if you can't keep those that aren't willing to make a good commitment.
Good Luck
#3
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Posted 22 November 2003 - 07:11 PM
At the risk of sounding like a hard-*:
I used to have a policy of "3 unexcused absences from our one weekly after-school rehearsal and be excluded from the next concert or field trip." The kids thought of it as a game and would keep track of their absences and blow off whatever they could.
This year I started a new policy- no unexcused absences. Only way to be excused is to be absent from school due to illness, note from parent on the day prior to rehearsal, participation in a sporting event (game or meet- not practice), or a death in their family-their own!
Absenteeism is WAY down and the kids who show up are committed to playing... Those that aren't committed, aren't missed (by me, at least).
So far, both bands sound great (best ever!) and no complaints from parents.
Try it, you'll like it!
I used to have a policy of "3 unexcused absences from our one weekly after-school rehearsal and be excluded from the next concert or field trip." The kids thought of it as a game and would keep track of their absences and blow off whatever they could.
This year I started a new policy- no unexcused absences. Only way to be excused is to be absent from school due to illness, note from parent on the day prior to rehearsal, participation in a sporting event (game or meet- not practice), or a death in their family-their own!
Absenteeism is WAY down and the kids who show up are committed to playing... Those that aren't committed, aren't missed (by me, at least).
So far, both bands sound great (best ever!) and no complaints from parents.
Try it, you'll like it!
#4 Guest_bandgeekdrumfreak_*
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Posted 28 March 2004 - 01:01 AM
im just a normal bandgeek, on of the dedicated ones grant you(due to my stumbling on to this site). Im not a director nor do i have ne degrees to show but as a student i know what intensity will get kids to focus and what will just make them not care.
BE HARSH, kids are always looking for a soft spot that they can push to weasle themselves out of nething, so dont have one.
DONT TRY TO BE FRIENDS, you are educators not buddies, first be the boss then if the bond grows then it does if it doesnt then your still getting the job done and the kids will thankyou for it, eventually
BE ENERGETIC, lets face it we, as students only spend one class period staring at a stand while you go home and stare at your score and come back sometimes to 7 class of Band. Be enthusiastic, dont let the kids see your growing tired
SMILE, even if you dont want to, smiling at someone can give a boost to their confidence and if you make someone feel good their more likely to listen to you
COUNT SECONDS, kids waste time, i admit, but with a constant reminder of you wasted 30 sec or at the end of rehersal hold them over for the amount of time they wasted. It will become a game to waste the least amount of time, thus making it fun for the students productive for you, a win win situation
HAVE NO TOLERANCE, as a artistic teacher your grades arnt objective but subjective, tell students that wasting time will lower their grade. And definately give them the scare of zeros for major class disruptions
TAKE AWAY WHAT THEY WANT, a band student is their to play their instrument. They may not like the music they may not like you but if you take away their instrument, the thing that connects them to the music that fills their heart they learn quickly the result of their actions.(this can help or hurt you depending on a students desire)
PLAYING TESTS AND LEADERSHIP, use playing tests to keep students on their feet. If they know that at ne given moment they could be called out to play something solo they will study it a little harder. Also reward those students that do well. Greed, though and evil, can be used to your atvantage here. how you award your students is your personal desicion.
MAKE THE BAND ROOM THEIR HOME, make the band room a place they fill comfortable. If students like the class they will enjoy the class. If the band room gives off that same feeling that the math class they had last period does then they will give you just as much attention as they did pathagoras' theorms.
sry that was so long but i think it is important sometimes for directors to see students points of view. (by the way, these ideas work over long periods of time and with most students, some of these tactics will not work with some students but it should work with mosts
BE HARSH, kids are always looking for a soft spot that they can push to weasle themselves out of nething, so dont have one.
DONT TRY TO BE FRIENDS, you are educators not buddies, first be the boss then if the bond grows then it does if it doesnt then your still getting the job done and the kids will thankyou for it, eventually
BE ENERGETIC, lets face it we, as students only spend one class period staring at a stand while you go home and stare at your score and come back sometimes to 7 class of Band. Be enthusiastic, dont let the kids see your growing tired
SMILE, even if you dont want to, smiling at someone can give a boost to their confidence and if you make someone feel good their more likely to listen to you
COUNT SECONDS, kids waste time, i admit, but with a constant reminder of you wasted 30 sec or at the end of rehersal hold them over for the amount of time they wasted. It will become a game to waste the least amount of time, thus making it fun for the students productive for you, a win win situation
HAVE NO TOLERANCE, as a artistic teacher your grades arnt objective but subjective, tell students that wasting time will lower their grade. And definately give them the scare of zeros for major class disruptions
TAKE AWAY WHAT THEY WANT, a band student is their to play their instrument. They may not like the music they may not like you but if you take away their instrument, the thing that connects them to the music that fills their heart they learn quickly the result of their actions.(this can help or hurt you depending on a students desire)
PLAYING TESTS AND LEADERSHIP, use playing tests to keep students on their feet. If they know that at ne given moment they could be called out to play something solo they will study it a little harder. Also reward those students that do well. Greed, though and evil, can be used to your atvantage here. how you award your students is your personal desicion.
MAKE THE BAND ROOM THEIR HOME, make the band room a place they fill comfortable. If students like the class they will enjoy the class. If the band room gives off that same feeling that the math class they had last period does then they will give you just as much attention as they did pathagoras' theorms.
sry that was so long but i think it is important sometimes for directors to see students points of view. (by the way, these ideas work over long periods of time and with most students, some of these tactics will not work with some students but it should work with mosts
#5
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Posted 26 July 2004 - 08:47 PM
I simply have a regiment that is cut and dried as far as grades are concerned. It uses instrument specific books that the students must play for me weekly.A student can make an A in my band only if they play 8 lessons in 9wks.(We use 9wk grading periods),6 for a B, 4 for a C, etc. If they miss every extra rehearsal, I don't punish their grade. It keeps them from lettering and performing at the current event. I always had a problem attaching grades to activities outside the classroom. The system is set up to keep students and parents informed as to where their student stands at any given time. I listen to lessons for every student in my band every week. (before and after school, In class once a week). I find that if my students receive attention personally every week it solves alot of discipline problems. You lose the students who doesn't want to work. 
#6 Guest_SPaine_*
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Posted 07 June 2005 - 11:05 AM
[I]I've been sifting through questions and responses for helpful hints as we finish one year, and are already thinking about the next year. I assume the original question is directed at after school rehearsal times. I hold jazz ensemble every Tuesday night from 7:00-9:00PM. Students may only miss for sickness, family emergency or sporting event (game or meet). If a student's game or meet ends early, they are expected to come to rehearsal. If there is a sport practice, the coaches and I have worked out a deal where students must attend half of the practice and half of my rehearsal. It's not ideal, and during track it kills us as it's right around trip and competition time, but it's as fair as we could make it. We're a very small school and some kids are involved in everything. Compromise is always the best way to handle co-workers. Hope this helps...
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Posted 14 November 2006 - 01:21 PM
Well, luckily my concert band is all done in class. However, I have had very simlar problems with students missing after school rehearsals, especially marching band. In my two and 1/2 years here I have really tried to get the kids to enjoy the group and find a pride in the group. Starting next year, I am going to be much more strict on this issue. I am going to have an "Excused absence" form. To miss a rehearsal the student must turn this in 24 hours in advance to have a CHANCE at it being excused. For a performance it must be turned in at least 2 weeks prior. The form has a place for the student to explain the reason for absence and a place for the student to sign it along with the parents. It then has a place for the student to meet with their section leader. The student and section leader must write down a date and time when they are going to make up the missed rehearsal time...then it must be signed. With all of this work needing to be done, my guess is that the "weak" excuses (such as, i'm tired from retreat and don't feel like staying) will be gone. For unexcused absences: 1 is a warning, 2 is a one performance suspension--stand on the side line at attention, no 3rd quarter break, and a 3rd is dismissal from the marching band. For unexcused performances, 1 is a 1 performance suspension and the 2nd is dismissal from the marching band. I hate to be this much of a jerk, but it has come from the students and parents themselves that the only way to get this group to be dedicated is to go through such measures.
