There is this underground world of band directors and they all know each other. My cousin Kelly, who is a band director herself, sits with us at a contest or two each year and gives me the scoop 'cuz she knows all these guys and knows who's strong in percussion, horns, who is good, who isn't, etc. It's amazing--I don't know of many occupations that have such a network.
While we have a team of people who assist our band director with colorguard, drumline, visual and musical style, and logistics, he will still call on his colleagues for some thoughts on our show. One in particular comes each year--and the kids dread it. The show usually looks a lot better after he comes, but it is a whirlwind of a storm that he rides in on, leaving a trail of tissues in his wake.
I don't much agree on the method, but this guy comes out and rehashes every minute detail of the show--from the music to the visual. He demands attention, precision, and absolutely no distractions. It is not a nice day when he shows up and there are horror stories of the things he says to the kids. There is typically more than one kid in tears by the time he is done. The parents dread his coming as much as the kids because we have to pick up the pieces when he goes home. It's not fun.
Our show is okay this year and we have done fairly well, but not what we are used to. Judging these contests is a mystery to me--what I look for in a good band isn't necessarily what the judges are looking for, so I can't tell you what is wrong, but we aren't scoring nearly as high as we usually do. After last weekend's performance, Joe said "I think it's 'Lemont Guy' time", referring to the dude who comes out to help our director.
And while Joe isn't usually the prophetic type, sure enough, Em came home and announced that tomorrow is "Lemont Guy Day". Uh oh. That's today.
While I may have to deal with a nasty kid tonight, I'm guessing the show is gonna look mighty different come Saturday.
22 comments:
Did I tell you about the time a friend of mine put me in charge of the Wilmette community theater play in her absence? No? Good. When the gay director came out waving his hands yelling WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE? 5 mins before the play was due to start and no one was in their seats...well I'll save you the blog post on that one.
Lemont Guy sounds like our band director!!! LOL
Seriously, I love our director but she has been known to say it like it is....but, sometimes, that is totally what is needed! And, I very much understand what you mean by picking up the pieces...been there, done that, and continue to do that! ;)
*sigh*....isn't being a Band Mom Great??!! :)
Helene, you really need to do a blog post on that..... ;)
And yet. We softies who "don't much agree on the method" have to admit it gets results. Sometimes hardcase coaches do produce better results than do the sweetness-and-light types. "Ours not to reason why..."
Is the proverb "no pain, no gain" appropriate here? Ouch!
Hang in there! Good thing it's only for one day. Give Em a hug for me. :)
This guy sounds like he should be accompanied by some Darth Vader theme music!
Oh dear...I hope all goes well. But, I guess it is a necessary evil.
Fresh eyes can be a good thing and if someone is there just for the moment perhaps it's necessary roughness to make folks pay attention.
During my last two years of high school, my guard didn't have an instructor. Instead, our band director taught us our routine and the captain would then supervise with one of the adult assistants who's experience with colorguard ended at marching. Still, he was definitely a trooper.
So glad that we never had an outside guy come in and shake things up like that.
I am really torn about this. I understand the need but I am not crazy about making kids feel badly. I guess I don't have the competitive edge.
I'm more of the "no Pain, no pain" kind of guy. Maybe you'll need help from Spongebob?
There has to be a way to do it without all of the angst.
Well I don't know much about all this band business, but for me, the main priority would mainly be "what the band sounds like".
As a former band geek I've had the same experience having the "Lemont Guy" come in. Ours was a band director from the neighboring town that had once been our director and was a "legend" at producing award winning bands in the area. The older kids in the band that had marched under him told horror stories of stands being thrown and marching high mark time until your calves bled. So you can bet when he spoke we listened. Honestly looking back I don't remember why we took things so seriously. I think band directors are as put upon as coaches to produce championship winning bands, but really how many kids are really going to even have a music career? Marching bands used to be about half time shows and parades. Alas I know I won't be doing the marching band parent thing as our town (not even that small) doesn't have a marching band due to lack of participation, maybe it's because of band directors like "Lemont Guy"
OH my gosh, yes! We had a guy who would drive in from Detroit and rip the show apart. It was CRAZY!!! (but usually highly effective)
Wow...harsh, but if needed, I guess OK. I remember the prof. I learned the most from in college was like that...it was kind of a joke in the department about who Carole had made cry. But I'll tell you, she got respect, that's for sure. And we quickly learned to take the personal out of our art so we didn't cry so dern much!
Oh no, hope it doesn't go too bad! It kinda sounds like every day with my boss though. She's negative against our work every single day. *sigh*
I'll keep my fingers crossed that everyone survives the day
Helene--Oh, no, I want to hear about that one!
A.Marie--Oh, our band director is like that too. I think it is a band director trait--or at least a good director anyway. This guy is beastly though and I think he goes too far sometimes. That part I do not like.
Vanilla--I'm not keen on it when you go for the jugular--or the kid who is already down on his luck. When you come in as a visitor, you don't have that knowledge of who can take it and who can't. I can't see someone belittled for the sake of a win. Ever.
Rebecca--Em actually came home saying he was good today. I think that is because he doesn't say much about colorguard. ;)
Melodie--I like that! Hahaha!
Mary Ann--I dunno. I guess I'm better off not seeing or hearing it. I don't like it when he picks on a kid who already gets picked on too much. But I guess he doesn't know that, right?
Grace--I think it is good to have someone else give their opinion as they might just tune out the voices they hear each day. I think they are afraid of this guy. I hope it helps.
Silverthoughts--Band is tough now because everyone has assistants who specialize in the different captions--drumline, colorguard, winds, visual, music, etc. The bands that don't have assistants really show it. I've noticed a lot of "miked" instruments for solos now too. I think that's sort of cheating though.
Anne--Yeah, I'm like you.
Chuck--I'm sort of like that too. I mean, I like the neutral eye, but not the mouth that goes with it. He got Colin one year and I was madder than a wet hen. That kid had enough to deal with--he didn't need that guy dumping on him too.
Pricilla--I don't think so. Band competitions are tough and I think it's good for the kids to step it up, but at what cost? I guess it's best for me not to hear what is being said at rehearsals.
Hot Rocks--It's complicated because it is music AND visual in these contests. So, you have to have many eyes and ears to judge you and to help you improve on all levels. This band stuff isn't for sissies!
Winnie--Oh, things have changed since then, Winnie. Bands use parades and half-time for rehearsal--it is competitions every weekend until the end of October for most of us. It is wicked and even more difficult than a sport--although most people don't want to believe that. While it is a lot of work, there is also a lot to be learned from marching band--like friendships, teamwork, competing, winning, losing, and having fun together. They are a family like no other. I wish you had a band for your kids to join. And you'd be surprised how many kids go on to college bands--with scholarships. Our friend, Ted, is at Boston University studying performance on a full ride.
Violet--I guess this isn't as uncommon as I thought. Poor band kids!!
Beaded Tail--Oh, that is not good. Once in awhile I can see it, but ALL the time??? Nooooo. Not good. I'm sorry to hear that. Em said today wasn't all bad. But that said, he doesn't discuss colorguard.
Ann--I'm sure I'll hear more as the week progresses. Right now, Em said it wasn't bad.
Like Ann, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everyone survives the day. Sounds like a teacher we had in primary school (grade school). She was a nun and a very mean one!
WEll I am glad to hear that it went all right. I learned that from your comments.He does sound like a not very nice person. Take care and have a great day.
Veronica--I think he means well and wants the band to succeed, he just has a tough-guy persona. Em said it wasn't too bad, but then again, he doesn't say much to colorguard.
Marg--He may be nice, but I don't think he curbs the comments when it comes to perfecting the show. Maybe that is why they get better after he shows up. ???? I'm just glad I'm not there to see and hear it!
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