Life of a Substitute Teacher

random rant about pep band

Well, today went really well. SCT managed to get most of the lessons scheduled with the exception of the few who will need to go either before or after school, although I think some will need to go during a class period.

Something that I really noticed today was that I was really analyzing what was going to happen throughout each rehearsal. I've learned in my music ed classes that the times that the students are not playing an instrument are the most dangerous times for behavioral problems to pop up. One of the main times for behavioral problems is during announcements. I've never seen a band teacher keep full attention of their students during announcements, ever, and I'm seeing it again today. Also, I'm noticing more that students wait for that cadence in our speech structure to talk. No matter what, if you give them information, and there's a pause/cadence, then those students will begin to talk and miss what you said.

I'm really glad though that SCT is as organized as he is. I've asked him questions about organizational things and how he's changed them over the years, and have always recieved helpful responces. I cannot see how to improve his methods for myself unless technology improves or becomes more cost-effective. He's shown me how to keep track of lockers/locks, rental instruments, lesson schedules, and even a back-up on grades and attendance. He's shown me some other ideas about sorting music as well, however, I've learned a lot of them already that work for me from being a music library aide at the university.

I'm enjoying these last few days as well that we don't have lessons yet. We start teaching lessons on Thursday of this week, and I am looking forward to it. I still need to learn SCT's grading policy, but other than that, I'm ready to go on teaching them. I've been teaching private lessons on my own now for two years, and really have a good idea of what I'm doing; the only thing I need to work on there is pacing.

Well, over my soon to be nonexistant lunch break, I got a chance to go shopping. I had been debating about buying a shirt with school colors for awhile, and as I greatly value my safety and bodily health, especially come homecoming, I decided to actually break down and buy a t-shirt. It's really nice; the shirt is the more colorful of their school colors with the team name in the other color embroidered on. It moves really well for conducting as well; I'm looking forward to being able to use it.

(Warning - this next section contains a rant/rave about marching/pep band)

The band finally played today!!! I am so happy that I finally got to hear music, even if it was only sightreading, and pep band music. I am really looking forward to playing serious music though. I went into teaching music because I have a love of good classical music that I want to share with others. Even though I enjoy other types of music, it is easier for me to "rock out" to Copland or Rachmaninov than it is to whoever is popular these days (if you're randomly reading this and don't know who these composers are, GOOGLE THEM, most of the readers of this blog already know all about them). This is one thing that worries me - how do I leave my little world of classical music and adapt to popular music? I know that at one time the music I know and love the most was the popular music of its day, however, I cannot stand most of what is played now!

I'm worried that as a teacher I will try to teach too much of the classics. So many programs nowadays are saved by the fact that they are in existance as a pep band or marching band; cut that marching band and you might as well cut the entire program. That worries me. Yes, there are somethings that can be taught by focusing only on marching/pep, however, it is lacking so much good taste. It's like going to McDonalds all the time to eat rather than experiencing other types of food. It just disturbs me to have to teach to standards set in the curriculum, but then serve the fast-food of music with it. How do kids learn about eating healthy? They have to eat healthy. How do kids learn about good music? They have to play good music, and it's extremely rare to find a piece of rock music that fits into the state's dictated curriculum. It's possible, but it really doesn't fit my philosophy, which I'll have to post at some point.

I was looking for jobs this weekend and came across a middle school band teacher's position that focused on marching band. Marching band! I could not believe it. I know that there are high schools that have their main focus on marching - but how can you teach the basics of music if the kids are stuck outside in something that had its roots in military tradition? You can't. I know that there have probably been some good things to have come out of the military - like wind band - however, it has evolved from there into a serious concert medium. There is so much that needs to be taught about making sound musical decisions that cannot be taught or discussed via marching band. It's fun? Yes, it is, and that's a start. But the word "fun" won't save a program when it's on the budgetary docket.

Okay, I could really go on for a long time with that argument, but I need to force myself to get back to topic. Eighth graders finally played today. Winds sounded good, however, percussion cannot count. We stopped three or four times to get the percussionists in-line with the music. Finally, I went to the back and stood with them counting out the rhythms for them to hear and copy. Someone needs to teach them how to count, and it's going to be SCT and me this semester. They couldn't even play simple rhythms that they were taught in sixth grade (when they first started band). So, on Thursday, I'm bringing my sticks and mallets and playing with them. Yes, I'm a flute player, but I'm a pretty good percussionist as well thanks to many teachers along the way.

posted by Amanda @ 3:32 PM