Hey guys. I'm new, I just found out this site. I still attend high school in the state of Maryland. But I already know I want to be a band director. I love music, and I know it's what I want to do. My talent is above average, but not quite cream of the crop. I am first chair at my school, and I have made All-Shore around my area but never quite All-State. I wast just wondering..
Do I realistic have a chance to make it into a college band and fulfill my dream of becoming a band director?
Whats the best college to attend when wanting to persue this occupation>
Thank you all
0
Hey everyine!
Started by Guest_BandDirectorWannaBe_*, Jul 10 2005 11:48 PM
3 replies to this topic
#2
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Bandmaster
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Posted 11 July 2005 - 04:51 AM
I can't think of any schools at the moment. Can't fall alseep tonight so the brain is a little worn out. I'll get some names though!! I wouldn' worry about making it into the college band, you should have no problem from the sounds of it. Obviously if you go to a bigger school you chances are lessened then going to a little bit smaller school. The first thing you want to look at is do you want to go to a school with a really big music program that is good or do you want to go to a smaller school that has a good program? Do you want to teach in the state you live in now or do you not really care about where you end up? That can make a big difference. I got my degree in Maine and moved back to NY. It's taking my a while to get certified. If I went to school in NY it would be a little quicker and easier. D you want to concentrate on instrumental, or do you mind being taught to do instrumental and vocal? Some schools don't have a difference between vocal and instrumental, you all take the same classes. Where I went we could go a vocal track or instrumental track. We had to tack a couple classes in the other track just so there is some familiarity but it was seperated for the most part. Start working on your conducting now, especially if you want to teach HS. The better your conducting the better your chances when applying. Obviously there's more to it then just conducting but it's ahuge aspect. Hope this helps a little. More so this is just things you need to think about!!
Adam W. Metzler
Central Aroostook High School & Fort Street Elementary School Instrumental Music Teacher
Central Aroostook High School & Fort Street Elementary School Instrumental Music Teacher
#3 Guest_Sara_*
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Posted 01 August 2005 - 10:58 PM
First of all, many of the best directors I've known have not necessarily been the best performing musicians. Do you need a certain degree of success on your major instrument? Yes...do you need to be symphony level? Not necessarily.
The desire to teach is the most important aspect for a "band director wanna-be" ;-)
As far as schools -- that partly has to do with how far you're willing to travel from home to attend college. A former private student of mine contacted multiple schools she had an interest in, additionally contacting the professor teaching her instrument. So, start checking schools out on the internet and contacting people. Also post on message boards you find.
Good luck -- believe me, we need people in the profession who have your enthusiasm!!
The desire to teach is the most important aspect for a "band director wanna-be" ;-)
As far as schools -- that partly has to do with how far you're willing to travel from home to attend college. A former private student of mine contacted multiple schools she had an interest in, additionally contacting the professor teaching her instrument. So, start checking schools out on the internet and contacting people. Also post on message boards you find.
Good luck -- believe me, we need people in the profession who have your enthusiasm!!
#4
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Posted 02 June 2006 - 08:24 AM
QUOTE(BandDirectorWannaBe @ Jul 10 2005, 11:48 PM) [snapback]425[/snapback]
Hey guys. I'm new, I just found out this site. I still attend high school in the state of Maryland. But I already know I want to be a band director. I love music, and I know it's what I want to do. My talent is above average, but not quite cream of the crop. I am first chair at my school, and I have made All-Shore around my area but never quite All-State. I wast just wondering..
Do I realistic have a chance to make it into a college band and fulfill my dream of becoming a band director?
Whats the best college to attend when wanting to persue this occupation>
Thank you all
Excellent choice for a great and rewarding job. Do your best and most of all, enjoy the music. My advice to aspiring band directors is NOT to get caught up in a music monopoly. This is where a single company will have you under it's thumb. Once you start overseeing a band drive at your school, make sure there are at least two good companies at the drive that are competitive and can give quality repair service. If your school doesn't allow more than one company to display the band drive, insist on two or more. Single company band drives rasies serious ethical questions concerning "perks" for band teachers. If you have multiple companies on site. the customer service steadily improves as your band moves forward. Again, enjoy the music and the kids will love you and in turn, you and your band will win. If you turn into the band teacher that is hateful, gruff and abrasive, the good kids will drop band the following year. In turn, mad kids dont win at contests.
