Monday, April 1, 2019
Public schools are a great place to form collaborative bonds with people from other departments. You may be surprised by the wealth of knowledge that's available to you if you just reach out! Here are some great suggestions to make the most of the educational process:
Save big on repair bills. No doubt your school has some sort of shop/woodworking/auto-mechanic class full of students eager to "tinker". Why not let them have a go at that bassoon re-pad and adjustment! You've got nothing to lose except for an expensive repair bill from a "professional".
Sectional help may be in the closet down the hall. You may be surprised to know that your school custodian once played trombone (or drums) up through 8th grade. Don't hesitate to ask him to do some morning section work--he's there early anyway! He may be even able to sweep up a bit while the students wood-shed their parts to the amplified metronome.
It's always good to get off the podium. Sometimes the best place to listen to your group is from the classroom next door. The English teacher will always be delighted to have her class read quietly to themselves while the two of you evaluate your ensemble's performance. Be sure to leave any adjoining doors open and ask students to play super loud. (If you don't feel like she's qualified, just have her read quietly as well.)
Principals love to help out. Who knows more about how to run your program that your coach-turned-principal?! Take advantage of all that expertise everytime you get an opportunity. Put them in front of the group; all you have to do is watch and learn.
Be prepared to reciprocate. You'll no doubt be able to help out other teachers with their classes as well. What chemistry teacher wouldn't jump at the chance to have the band or orchestra director in their lab to create some impromptu experiments?! You can find lots of great ideas on the internet to demonstrate the reactive properties of different chemicals. (I recommend bringing the drumline to distract the class from staring at first-responders, if needed.)
Special One-Day Only! Discount Used Reeds!
When parents return those beginner rental instruments, they always leave all their "stuff" in the case, reeds included. We have quite a collection of "size two and a half" clarinet reeds. Some are a little chippy and gray, but they've all been play-tested by staff and have many good rehearsals left. While supplies last, we're discounting to half of retail price! Also, with every ten reeds, get THREE free squirts of Sani-Spray to use as you wish! Offer good on April 1st only!
Ask about our new DYI Repair Center! (At select locations)
Dads can save some cash by just fixing that horn themselves WITH OUR TOOLS!How long have you been with PMC, and what brought you to the company? I've been working at PMC for a little over six months. I was pushing my shopping cart past the OKC store one really cold day; Charlie invited me in. I've been here ever since!
Where did you grow up? Musical family? I've moved around alot, depending on the season. I'm pretty good on the Hurdy Gurdy.
Any pets? I have a couple of cats!
Any interesting hobbies? Collecting things. One woman's trash is another woman's treasure, you know. Also, I love to surprise my work friends with homemade treats!
Anything else to share? Fun fact: I once appeared on the show "Hoarders".
In next week's issue:
Instruments for Lefties!
Naturally you want to accommodate every student's special needs and wishes. Don't destroy a left-handed student's natural love of music by making them conform to the limitations of the same instrument every other student plays! Learn all the special techniques for playing these new reverse instruments. Also, a special feature on colored instruments for those students who don't like metallic colors!How to have an awesome silent auction from the Lost-and-Found box!
| (417) 882-7000 | (573) 256-5555 | (816) 792-8301 |
| (417) 781-3100 | (405) 896-8111 | (479) 464-8877 |
| (918) 286-1555 | (636) 229-1904 | (417) 882-7000 |