This morning was the annual area music educator's meeting. I didn't have to go, because I'm not teaching...but I wanted to, so that I could see friends and listen to Mark Lawley, who was the guest speaker. (Awesome, by the way!) John was going also, so...off I went.
I've always known there was a big difference between choir directors and band directors...everyone in music education knows this...but today, it was even more evident to me! Evident because I've taught both! With this being said, here are my Choir and Band director comparisons!
Choir directors: Organize themselves into oblivion.
Band directors: Hope that it's there on their desk ten minutes before they need it.
Choir directors: Will have a glass of wine.
Band directors: Will laugh at the choir directors drinking wine while they are pouring a glass of beer that they brewed themselves.
Choir directors: Will insist that everyone have their folders, robes, etc...for a trip, only to realize 30 minutes into the trip that they left their folder with the "check" in it on their music stand.
Band directors: Will insist that everyone have their uniforms, instruments, music, etc...for a trip, only to realize 30 minutes into the trip that they left the percussion section in the percussion room.
Choir directors: Will belabor a point.
Band directors: Is there a point??
Choir directors: Will have informational meetings where everyone is more confused afterward than they were before. (Hence, the wine.)
Band directors: Will have informational meetings that are quick, to the point, and if you don't know or understand something...they'll explain it to you at the after party.
Choir directors: Emote while conducting with their hands.
Band directors: Emote while yelling at the trumpet section to stop throwing the snare drummer's drumstick.
Choir directors: Always know who is in their room, who is supposed to be in their room, and who has been in their room.
Band directors: Walk into their room before rehearsal, bump into a kid only to turn and notice that he isn't a band member, ask the kid what he's doing there...only to get the response..."I'm Josh's friend, I got kicked outta my house and he said it'd be cool if I crashed here for a while. It's all good, man, I'm a drummer."
Choir directors: Plan concert music for the entire year.
Band directors: Plan concert music based on whether or not their top two trumpets will be out of jail in time for the concert.
Choir directors: Insist that everyone have a pencil.
Band directors: Insist that everyone have a pencil, and for God's sake...take your marching shoes home and wash them.
Choir directors: Ask permission to order new music.
Band directors: Order the music, then explain that it was on consignment.
This is all in good fun. For many of you reading this...your response is - "In 25 years of teaching, I've never forgotten anything on a trip!" That's great! But for the rest of you...I see that smirk! Some of you band directors are thinking..."she makes us sound like we're disorganized...and that's just not true!" Actually, band directors are the MOST organized people I know. It's just that when we're dealing with that many kids, that many hours a week, it's hard to keep up with every little thing. We are all music educators who love our students and do whatever we have to do to make our programs successful. It's an honor to do what we do...even though it doesn't always seem like it. Hang in there, my music educator friends! I hope you have a great, energized, musical year!! :)
I've always known there was a big difference between choir directors and band directors...everyone in music education knows this...but today, it was even more evident to me! Evident because I've taught both! With this being said, here are my Choir and Band director comparisons!
Choir directors: Organize themselves into oblivion.
Band directors: Hope that it's there on their desk ten minutes before they need it.
Choir directors: Will have a glass of wine.
Band directors: Will laugh at the choir directors drinking wine while they are pouring a glass of beer that they brewed themselves.
Choir directors: Will insist that everyone have their folders, robes, etc...for a trip, only to realize 30 minutes into the trip that they left their folder with the "check" in it on their music stand.
Band directors: Will insist that everyone have their uniforms, instruments, music, etc...for a trip, only to realize 30 minutes into the trip that they left the percussion section in the percussion room.
Choir directors: Will belabor a point.
Band directors: Is there a point??
Choir directors: Will have informational meetings where everyone is more confused afterward than they were before. (Hence, the wine.)
Band directors: Will have informational meetings that are quick, to the point, and if you don't know or understand something...they'll explain it to you at the after party.
Choir directors: Emote while conducting with their hands.
Band directors: Emote while yelling at the trumpet section to stop throwing the snare drummer's drumstick.
Choir directors: Always know who is in their room, who is supposed to be in their room, and who has been in their room.
Band directors: Walk into their room before rehearsal, bump into a kid only to turn and notice that he isn't a band member, ask the kid what he's doing there...only to get the response..."I'm Josh's friend, I got kicked outta my house and he said it'd be cool if I crashed here for a while. It's all good, man, I'm a drummer."
Choir directors: Plan concert music for the entire year.
Band directors: Plan concert music based on whether or not their top two trumpets will be out of jail in time for the concert.
Choir directors: Insist that everyone have a pencil.
Band directors: Insist that everyone have a pencil, and for God's sake...take your marching shoes home and wash them.
Choir directors: Ask permission to order new music.
Band directors: Order the music, then explain that it was on consignment.
This is all in good fun. For many of you reading this...your response is - "In 25 years of teaching, I've never forgotten anything on a trip!" That's great! But for the rest of you...I see that smirk! Some of you band directors are thinking..."she makes us sound like we're disorganized...and that's just not true!" Actually, band directors are the MOST organized people I know. It's just that when we're dealing with that many kids, that many hours a week, it's hard to keep up with every little thing. We are all music educators who love our students and do whatever we have to do to make our programs successful. It's an honor to do what we do...even though it doesn't always seem like it. Hang in there, my music educator friends! I hope you have a great, energized, musical year!! :)
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