2 replies to this topic

[bassman]

How does your school schedule band and orchestra classes in the block scheduling model? We alternate band and orchestra with the gym classes each day (M+W, band and T+TH orchestra. Every Friday alternates) during block 2 (see schedule below). Because of the alternation, band/orchestra and choir are all year long courses as well as gym for these students. These are the only 4 courses in the school that run as an alll year course.

THE INTENSIVE BLOCK SCHEDULE
DAILY SCHEDULE
Block I 7:45 – 9:12
Homeroom 9:12 - 9:22
Block II 9:27 – 10:54
Block III A 10:59 - 11:25
Block lll B 11:30 - 11:56
Block lll C 12:01 - 12:27
Block lll D 12:32 - 12:58
Block IV 1:03 – 2:30)

My principal would like to schedule band and orchestra by semester (2 semesters of each) but I am worried about instrumentation issues that probably will arise if this happens. His reasons for this are to have the student make choices between band/orchestra and honors or AP courses. He also feels this will result in better scheduling for the rest of the school population as well.

Currently, if a band students takes band for 4 years they will get 20 credits. If we run band by semesters, the same student could take 4 years of band (highly unlikely due to required courses, foreign language and other elective courses) the student would get 40 credits.

I am really worried that I'm going to lose kids if this goes to a semester basis. Please offer any suggestions you have or schedules that are currently running in your school that work well.

Please accept my thanks for any help/insight you can provide.

Bassman

[IgnatiusBands]

Had this situation at a previous school. I walked into a block schedule that had scheduled Band all year (80 minute block every day...sweet practice schedule!) to one where they could choose Fall Band or Spring Band. My first year, since it was new, we had 72 in Fall Band and 60ish in Spring Band. The next year, due to me, Fall Band shrank to 59 and Spring Band remained at about 60. The following years we increased numbers in each ensemble with more and more students taking Band all year. Maintaining a strong program and showing to the students and parents that the students need to remain all year was the key. Administrators see it as a plus to provide the students with more choices, but they don't realize that this will ultimately hurt the organization. I am in ANOTHER split Band situation and changing it to all year, this time we are on a 9 period day. Administrators need to understand that if you create a split Band, the ability-level will drop, due to the addition and deletion of members each semester. In other words, you basically have to 're-teach' or start over every July and January. As much as they demand we have ensembles prepared to play events of their choosing, they sure don't want to be embarrassed, which could happen. Another cog in the wheel is the other ensembles (i.e. Jazz, Pep, etc.) and how membership will be determined. My experience has shown that you generally only get those individuals who are in Fall Band to participate in these other ensembles. Contacting the Spring Band people is good, but being able to remind and push the students in class makes them the core of the other groups.

I would HIGHLY suggest you sit down with the Administrators and tell them everything, good and bad, about a possible split in Band. Yes...it is great for selections, but I have also seen where when they put these AP or Honors classes opposed to Band, you lose the best students. Doesn't help the situation...just throws another cog in the wheel.

Good luck!