nafmeadmin.
nafmeadminWe are looking to do away with an Elementary Band concert in the spring with recorders, which is grades 4-6 (the concert lasts like 30 minutes max). The elementary choir also shared this concert with the group as well, and the choral director was wanting to add them with the secondary vocal groups for their own concert as well. Instead, we were looking to put those groups with the secondary bands to have one entire instrumental music concert for grades 4-12. Unfortunately the administration, particularly the high school principal, does not seem to like the idea (who has not been supportive for many teachers as of late, including ripping up detentions written by teachers). The superintendent as well as the elementary principal are fine with the idea. Any thoughts?
nafmeadminThat seems odd. Why does the HS principal even care? What does it take away from the HS?
nafmeadminHe believes that it is too wide of a grade span. Mind you this is a small private school. He also seems to believe it will be too long of a concert, and that anything over an hour, even 30 minutes more, seems to be too much.
nafmeadminIf you could keep it within about 90min(120 tops) it will be no problem with kids and/or parents. If he’s the only one against, I say do it. If it bombs, then you won’t do it again; although I think it would be a great demonstration of the students growth!
nafmeadminI can understand your administrators reluctance because of the length of the concert. We as music educators are used to long concerts, but many parents are not used to such a marathon event. With that said here is what I recommend.
1. Tell him that the directors will work hard to try to keep the concert to a max of 2 hours.
2. Find out if there are any other reasons that he does not like the idea. Than find supporting information that will eliminate his worries that will be meaningful to him.
3. Point out that it is a great recruiting and retention tool to help inspire the younger musicians. It can also be helped to push the older kids to improve their overall musicianship.
4. Consider making it an “every 2,3,4” year event so he doesn’t see it as a 3 hour marathon every year
5. Go in and present your information to him as well as some of the other directors and possibly even the other administrators. Have 3 or 4 different groups of people talk to him about the issue
6. Invite him to a recorder band rehearsal as well as other rehearsals to show him that while it is not HS level it is enjoyable to listen to.
Just some thoughts that could help you along. In my mind you don’t want to bully him into it because he may retaliate. In fact when you meet with him and after you have presented your arguments for your event ask him if he has any suggestions. Tell him What you would like to accomplish and Why, he may come up with a solution that will work and than he feels part of the process.
Christopher M. Johnson, Professor of Music Education and Music Therapy, is currently the Chair of the Music Education and Music Therapy Department and Director of the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. Johnson earned his Ph.D. from the Florida State University.
Since his arrival at The University of Kansas, Johnson has taught courses in Instrumental Conducting, Teaching Instrumental Music, Managing Behaviors in the Music Environment, Psychology and Acoustics of Music, and Research Methods in Music Education and Music Therapy. Johnson served two terms as the editor of the International Journal of Music Education: Research, the research publication of the International Society for Music Education. He is currently serving his second term on the National Association for Music Educations Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. He also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Research in Music Education, and one earlier term as the Chair for the MENC Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. Johnson also served as the Chair for the Research Commission of the International Society for Music Education.
Johnson’s research interests include applied research in music education, and basic research in all aspects of the psychology of music. He has published articles in many journals including the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, the Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Band Research, Contributions to Music Education, and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, among others. Johnson has also been an active member and contributor to the Research Seminar of the International Society for Music Education and World Alliance for Arts Education.
Johnson received a university teaching award – the Ned N. Fleming Award for Excellence in Teaching and received the recognition for Graduate Teaching Achievement from the Center for Teaching Excellence. Johnson was also awarded a lecturing & research award as a J. William Fulbright Scholar and recently received the Ella Scoble Opperman Citation for Distinguished Achievement from the Florida State University College of Music.
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