That's right! Flippin' incredible! I was in total shock yesterday when the saxophones tested on the parade tune and FIVE, count 'em, FIVE students could not play the required measures. Not due to lack of practice but because their instruments were not in working condition! That's incredible! It's like going to take a test in class and forgetting to bring a pencil! And I'm sure there are similiar problems in the flute and clarinet section. Within 10 minutes I had all but 1 of the saxes up and running again - small problems! How can you sit in class day after day with an instrument that does not work and do nothing about it! Everyone wants to win - everyone wants to be the best - everybody thinks we get shafted - yet we proved yesterday that many of us do not know how to be champions. People are griping that we are testing - they're gonna quit - they hate concert band - it's boring! But next summer - whoa baby, we want to be the best! Well ya know what, in the words of legendary band director Dave Humbert "Everyone wants to go to Heaven but no one wants to die!" If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen! We don't need you if your best is a broken horn and a half-baked attitude! Anderson Highland used to have over 200 kids in their band and were moderately successful. Many quit when Mr. Fletcher came along because he held them accountable for their ability to play their instruments in a correct and musical fashion. The numbers are steadily increasing and guess what - they won State Fair last year! If our summer marching program is what you consider to be your be all and end all of bandom then suck it up and start working now! This is a class with a state mandated curriculum and standards and as long as Mr. Smeltzer is in charge it will be run according to those standards. If it's too much work then, again, in the words of Mr. H, "don't let the door hit you in the butt!"
Talk to me, I'm
Daddy "Steamin Mad" V
Talk to me, I'm
Daddy "Steamin Mad" V
i totally agree....i am in the saxophone section and the peoples saxophones who were "broke" are the people the section has constant problems with. A sectional in the saxophone section accomplishes absolutley nothing! it is a waste of time because people think they are the best at everything and that they dont need practice, Although they are the ones who cant play the part. There are some of us who try to excel and those who dont and those who dont should not be in band because your holding the others back and that is the exact reason that we don't win!!!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Krysten! These kids need to be held accountable for their lack of responsibility. They are not only hurting themselves (which, frankly, I don't think they really care about), they are hurting the group!
DeleteYeah. If you don't really like band, then get out! It's that simple! I mean if you honestly don't like what your doing then why the flip are you doing it?? Your obviously not benifting your section or the band so get out. And don't give the crap "well my mom or dad made me do it". No one can phsically make you sign up for something you don't want to do. So think about it before the next quarter or year before you sign up if you really don't want to do.
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