I just started in a program in the South where the previous director had just retired after teaching for twenty some-odd years. It's a great program with a tradition of high quality performances (I think they hired me because I'm less expensive than someone with their master's degree and experience). The problem I'm having is that the parents are so used to how the previous director ran things that they are constantly hounding me when I try to do something MY way. It's not only the parents, but the students are also being stubborn about change. I know this kind of thing happens all the time with new directors, but what can I do to help this program change? Some of the things the previous director was doing is simply outdated and needs to change. How do I convince people of that?
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Parental Support
Started by Guest_BandroomBum_*, May 11 2004 03:21 PM
4 replies to this topic
#2 Guest_Nicholas Yip_*
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Posted 12 May 2004 - 01:29 AM
What needs to change? How is the group?
In any event, change happens slowly, it perhaps may take about 5-6 years before anything noticeable happens. Be patient but keep trying.
In any event, change happens slowly, it perhaps may take about 5-6 years before anything noticeable happens. Be patient but keep trying.
#3 Guest_BandroomBum_*
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Posted 12 May 2004 - 08:30 AM
The group has been getting top ratings at most of the festivals over the past 15 years. Now that I think of it, the first 5 or so years the previous director was there, he struggled a bit building the band as well. The things that need changing are really quite basic - they way they count rhythms out loud, the way they mark time during marching season, the drum cadence is really old and crusty, they way they handle auditions for concert season... all of these types of things have become "tradition", and I feel bad sometimes trying to change it, but not all "traditions" are good ones. I probably need to expect change more slowly, as you say.
#4
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Newbie
Posted 13 June 2004 - 02:00 PM
understand what you are saying. When I got to college, the band director was in his 3rd year and the students were trying to do everything that old way which made the freshmen do things like the upperclassmen. Then one day the band director a sign up that everybody didn't have a choice but to read it. After he explained it to us we totally understood it and things started to change. The sign was:
[SIZE=14] [COLOR=red]TRADITION IS THE HANDICAPP OF PROGRESS
[SIZE=14] [COLOR=red]TRADITION IS THE HANDICAPP OF PROGRESS
#5
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Newbie
Posted 30 August 2004 - 11:37 AM
Quit trying to change everything all at once...pick one thing this year...the thing that annoys you most...spend time concentrating on that and that alone...leave everything else run as before...they have been successful at it, so it obviously works...next year, change the next thing on your list...maybe two...nevertheless, change happens slowly, so dig in for the 5 year plan and then the program will be yours...good luck
