Reply To: They think I am Superwoman….

[nafmeadmin]

First of all, I’m sorry for your stress and for being stretched so thin. I often feel the same way, and try to remind myself that it is better to do less things better than to try to do everything and have the result be mediocre. If that means cutting down your number of performances, tackling less music for each, or limiting each group in some way in order to stay sane, don’t feel bad about it. Being stretched across all programs was not your choice but a budget issue – do the best you can with the situation to keep as many kids as possible involved in music, but also set reasonable expectations for yourself and your program in this new role.

In regards to the marching band, the first thing I would do would be to try to identify some student leaders and see if there is any funding (or a grant from the boosters or PTA, or scholarships?) to send a few of them to drum major or band leadership camp over the summer. United Spirit Association has put on great camps across the country for a long time (I attended one as a high school student) and will give them a great foundation to lead as students, run drills, and teach marching basics. That puts more of the work in the hands of your students, allows them to rise to a leadership position, and takes some of the work off your plate. I would also rely on marching music and drill that is packaged and ready to go the first year – don’t try to write your own right off the bat, you will have enough to be working on the first year! Get a summer marching rehearsal/camp schedule out ASAP….and then go step-by-step from there.

Good luck, and keep us updated!