Monday, February 15, 2021
When honor band auditions or festival performances come along during the school year, the first question I ask my students is "Why not you?". Follow that same way of thinking when any opportunity to showcase your students on a regional or statewide stage comes along.
In nearly 40 years of attending our state music educators conference, I've heard a common refrain from directors of honor ensembles: "Send in a tape!" (OK, cassette tapes were the only method of submission way back when...nowadays, it's mp3.) All agree that the performance is a thrill, but the lasting growth of the group comes from the journey.
No two schools throughout the PMC universe are currently in the same teaching situation. It's difficult to anticipate the next quarantined section leader, the "code yellow" temperature days, or a cancelled activity, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Look past just getting through this year and think ahead about how you can maximize your current activities for a better 2021-2022.
Our MMEA Conference, like many in the region, went virtual this year. Aside from some reading band sessions and demonstration clinics, the opportunity to share live music wasn't part of the program--but if all goes well, that opportunity will come again. Why not your group?
Entry deadlines and recording requirements vary by state, so consult your state music association's website for details. In any case, don't wait until the deadline to get a good recording! Here are some tips to get ready:
1. Record every day (or as often as possible), and don't wait until conditions are perfect. I can count the days of having a full band on two hands at this point in the year...but you work with the group you have, not the group you wish you had. It's healthy to let the band hear when the ensemble is incomplete, to reinforce the importance of every player. You're also trying to build their comfort level with 'going on record' each time they play, and not just for the one time there are optimum conditions. Keep up the journey, you'll get to an enjoyable destination.
2. Record as often as you can to get a stable process in place, and consistency in the quality of recordings. (Your PMC rep can help you with some inexpensive but effective solutions to daily recording.) The goal is to create consistent conditions for your students to grow and make musical progress together. You will no doubt learn a great deal about the best practices for recording in your band room as well. Students will enjoy the challenge of reconfiguring the group to get the best result.
3. Don't reinvent the wheel in your rehearsal day, or refill your folder. You've worked on selections for virtual or live festival events, and they're obviously pieces that are chosen to bring out your band's strengths. If you catch lightning in a bottle with your festival performance, use it! You aren't required to record these all in one session, but (in Missouri) you do need to provide programs or festival entry information to show that they have been performed. No splicing within a selection or other audio enhancements are allowed, just as many of you have experienced with district honor band auditions already this year.
While it's hard to promise any group the ultimate goal of a performance at the conference, the process is educationally based and does help you to zero in on needed improvements. Your group is playing to a standard AND competing for a spot on the conference schedule. It is a challenging process, but everyone in your ensemble will grow!
Your state association's honor ensemble coordinators are eager to hear your group! Send in a tape!
| Marvin is a small-town band kid from Albany, MO who has taught in Missouri public schools for the past 35 years. He is a graduate of Central Methodist College (now University) in Fayette, MO. Since 1993, the bands at Stockton High School have consistently earned Division 1 (Exemplary) ratings at the State Festival and have been active representatives of the school and community through parade performances and the State Basketball finals at Mizzou and MSU. Marvin is active as a clinician for honor bands and adjudicator for MSHSAA, MSSBA, and area festivals. He has served MMEA as Historian since 2008 and SWMMEA as District President, Band Chair, and Mentoring Chair. The Stockton Band was selected to perform among ten school and university bands as an honor ensemble at the Missouri Music Educators Association's 2018 annual conference. |
The 2020-2021 school year has certainly been one to remember. Almost every director I visit is working hard to negotiate the in-person/virtual world of instruction. They are tired, worried for the students, worried for their program, and uncertain what the future will bring. I want to remind you that you have this! Whatever you are doing is the right thing for YOUR program. Don't stress; take it one step at a time and keep going. The biggest concern I have heard from directors is that they want to make sure their program succeeds in the future. These words have especially resonated the last few weeks, and reminded me of a reading included in the PMC Summer Student Leadership Program. What we are doing today is building for tomorrow. What will the band of the future look like? That is up to you. I hope you find this reading helpful.
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house...my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude and the choices you make today help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, build wisely!
-Author Unknown
 |
Melissia is from Willard, Missouri. She performed and taught for years with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corp. She was the 1992 Percussive Arts Society International Keyboard Champion. She graduated from Missouri State University and has teaching experience in Missouri, Illinois, and Las Vegas Nevada. Melissia has achieved many things as a director including leading top level band programs at BOA and WGI. As well as directing her concert band all the way to the Missouri Music Educators Association State convention. Ms. Goff's professional affiliations include Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Bandmasters Association, MENC, Phi Beta Mu. Throughout her time at Palen Music Center Melissia has instructed Student Leader Workshops throughout the summer. |
 |
Cooper Wingo PMC Broken ArrowCooper Wingo started dabbling in instrument repair while still in high school, until it eventually became his full time job in 2017. Mainly repairing brass instruments, Cooper joined the Palen team in July of 2018 and has enjoyed it ever since. His hobbies include cooking, visiting local restaurants, cinema, hanging out with friends, but his passion will always be music. He loves playing guitar, bass, and saxophone and also enjoys writing music, going to concerts, and playing shows with his band, Enslaved by Fear.
|
| (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 |