Random Thoughts for the End of May

INSTRUMENTATION
For the most part, I’m pretty happy with our instrumentation for our Midwest performance. Although I do have guidelines for the numbers I’d like in each section, I try to keep them flexible depending on the ability level from year to year. Since virtually all of our 7th and 8th Graders are in the Symphonic Band each year, I think of instrumentation in two-year cycles. Let’s take our euphoniums for example, next year we’ll have 1 in eighth grade, 1 in seventh grade, and 2 in sixth grade. This means that we HAVE to have at least one fourth or fifth grader start on euphonium, or one of our current fourth graders will have to switch. I’m constantly looking two or three years ahead so we don’t get caught with a problem down the road.

Instrumentation is so crucial to getting a characteristic ensemble sound. It’s just not possible without a good distribution of the instruments. So it’s something I’m always keeping in mind when I’m thinking of recruitment and retention type issues.

I had this conversation with a sixth grade kid about three months ago. I’ve changed his name.

Brian: Hi Mr. De Stefano, have you seen Mrs. Lehner?

Me: I’m not sure where she is, can I help you with something?
Brian: No, I just had a question for her.
Me: Okay. I’ll be sure to let her know you were looking for her. What’s your name?
Brian: Brian Smith
Me: Thanks Brian. Hey, are you Kristen’s older brother? Why aren’t you in band?
Brian: I don’t know, I’m taking piano lessons…
Me: Well, you look like a born trombone player, feel like trying one out sometime?
Brian: Sure!

I’ve had similar conversations many times, and they almost always end the same way…with a smart, talented kid playing an instrument that we need. I’ve gotten a couple really good French Horn players this way. “Brian” from above has progressed faster than any kids I’ve ever had, basically finishing Book One in six 15 minute lessons. He couldn’t be more excited about playing trombone. His parents have gotten him a private teacher, he’ll do extra work with me this summer, and I went ahead an placed him in the Symphonic Band a year sooner than I thought he’d get there when I “recruited” him. This chance meeting improved our instrumentation, but it could have been another random conversation with a kid had I not taken the initiative.

In general, I let kids play whatever instrument they want when they’re in fourth grade. It’s one of the benefits to starting them so young…we have lots of time to work out instrumentation issues. Obviously, I strive for balance in the beginner band as well. If a kid expresses any interest in a color instrument I work with them for a little bit on that instrument to see if they can find some early success.

All this being said, I’m probably the last person that needs to be writing about recruitment. Our numbers have been slowly but steadily dropping the last 6 years. Not that it’s all bad, I was running around like mad when our numbers topped 210. Things are certainly more comfortable and less frantic at our current numbers, I do wish we were starting another 20 – 30 more kids per year though. I’ll be changing some aspects of our recruiting in the fall. If it feels appropriate, I’ll share in the blog when we go through that next year. If I’m not mistaken, next year’s beginner class will be in eighth grade the next time we apply to perform at Midwest.

CHAIR PLACEMENT
I hate chair tests. I won’t go on a rant here, but the further in my career I go, the more I deemphasize the chairs. Anyway, we have one chair test in the Fall on the material for our IMEA District Honor Band. That’s it, no challenges, no additional chair tests, etc…

We rotate parts. It’s something I knew was the right thing to do, but was always hesitant to try. Last year, we performed at 45 minute concert at the MENC North-Central Conference in Ann Arbor. We did some part rotation simply to help endurance because of the length of the program. Even that little bit sold me and we aggressively rotated parts this year. Think of it as a kind of “smart” rotation. Kids were never put in a position where they’d fail. I’d say about 35% of the pieces we played this year were in the kids’ official chairs, the rest were rotated in some fashion. Sometimes it was one section, sometimes it was the whole band. I loved it, I think the kids liked it too. It’s here to stay in our program, and we’ll definitely rotate parts for our Midwest performance.

We don’t do grades either. So, what’s the secret to motivation? Quality music played well.

GRADUATION
We’re a K-8 district. So when the kids finish 8th grade, they actually graduate from our district with a ceremony, diploma, Pomp and Circumstance…the whole deal. I used to think it was a bit goofy, but now I kind of like it. It puts a nice sense of closure on the year, especially since it is the last time the band performs each year. Graduation, which is later tonight, also tends to be the largest audience we perform for each year.

MOVING AND PACKING
McCracken is going to be closed this summer for asbestos abatement and some minor renovations. As if there’s not enough to do already, the whole music room has to be packed up! Anything dealing with Midwest, and stuff we might need this summer is being moved to our elementary school.

JUNE MEETING

This Saturday is the Midwest meeting at the Palmer House. I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we’ll get an interesting post out of it too!

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