I Love My Job

I once had a respected teacher in my graduate program make an offhand comment about starting one's career in beginning band then later on "moving up" to jr. high or high school. This broke my heart a little. For as much emphasis there is put on starting students with a strong foundation, there sometimes seems to be less respect for those who teach the little guys.

I did not let this comment or others I have heard get to me, because most days I absolutely love my job. Here's why:

1. Every single day I make many students appreciate music on a higher level.

2. I do teach those foundations, but I also help students fall in love with playing an instrument a little more each day. If I don't do my job well, those jr. high and high school programs would never have any students!

3. I get to TEACH. So much of the teaching older students (especially high school) is more directing rather than traditional teaching. Now before any feathers are ruffled, I know some phenomenal high school directors who do teach, but the job includes so much management and performance expectation that sometimes the in depth knowledge goals can be lost. I believe a strong elementary band teacher tends to slant more towards the comprehensive/general music philosophy when teaching.

4. I teach a subject students choose to participate in. Yes the glow can sometimes fade, especially for students who do not follow through with practice or effort. Overall though, students are so enthusiastic to come to my classroom.

5. I get to play everyday. I play with all my students, I play instruments all day long. How cool is that?

Of course in any teaching we have our challenges and frustrations, but overall in teaching beginners there is a least a little portion of pure joy every day.

Fellow band directors, what are some of your moments of joy?

Practice records vs. Assignment sheets

Oh practice records! They really are the bane of a band director's existence. I necessary evil you might say. Having kids watch a clock and count the minutes to try to accomplish an arbitrary minute goal is proven not to work. Not only do kids tend to fudge the numbers, but they aren't necessarily practicing efficiently or effectively.

I made a change a change five years ago after a session at The Midwest Clinic. The presenter proposed giving more specific detail oriented Assignments vs. the traditional practice record. I developed my own version, it's gone through many versions but it has been far more successful in student progress and growth.

Even the students who are not so great at turning in those assignments still have guidance for their home practice. If you want to check out my version of the band assignment sheet go to this link here.

Welcome to Joyful Noise! I'm hoping to share the joy that is teaching beginning band. The start being squeaks, squawks and other occasional unpleasant sounds but also pure joy in children exploring the wonderful world of music. I hope to share some strategies that I have found successful in my 16 years of teaching beginning band.