Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 16:52     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


If you are in a Marching Band that competes in field competitions then losing kids is huge. Drill formations and movements are determined by the number of people on the field. If a member is unable to be there, they leave a gap in the formation and it can effect the kids on the left and right of the missing marcher because they learned to keep themselves in line with that person.

So yea, if a person commits to marching band and then drops out, it is a huge deal because it means potentially redoing to formation. And that is not easy.


This is my post. That said, there is no reason for screaming but I fully understand being upset and lecturing a kid sternly. You would probably discourage your kid from dropping out of their fall sport because they found something else they want to do. You would probably tell your kid they committed and that their team is depending on them so quitting impacts everyone.

Marching Band is the same thing. You are a part of a larger team that is working together to produce an amazing product. Some bands compete, our band won state and regionals when I was in high school. It was awesome. We spent a few years working to get to that level. Lots of summer practice and devotion after school.

Dropping out of Marching Band hurts the other kids and the band as a whole. I am not sure if kids should have to participate in Marching Band as part of a class requirement, that was not part of the deal at my school in the 80’s but I know my nieces and nephews had to for band. It does suck for the Director and Choreographer if kids drop out. It is hard to rework those formations.

Still there shouldn’t be shouting but scolding, yeah, I get it.


Exactly. In fact dropping out of band is worse than dropping out of a sport mid season since there is not a person that replaces you. Your missing now creates a gap that screws things up.


Because finding another quarterback is so easy.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 16:50     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Not a requirement at Marshall. I really appreciate the fact it wasn't. Kids shouldn't have to forgo arts to pursue athletics.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 11:21     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


I would have put a recoding on Nextdoor and youtube


If you could be a better band director, dealing with kids who don't practice and parents who have no respect for the band or music, then go do it.

Hmm?
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 09:54     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


If you are in a Marching Band that competes in field competitions then losing kids is huge. Drill formations and movements are determined by the number of people on the field. If a member is unable to be there, they leave a gap in the formation and it can effect the kids on the left and right of the missing marcher because they learned to keep themselves in line with that person.

So yea, if a person commits to marching band and then drops out, it is a huge deal because it means potentially redoing to formation. And that is not easy.


This is my post. That said, there is no reason for screaming but I fully understand being upset and lecturing a kid sternly. You would probably discourage your kid from dropping out of their fall sport because they found something else they want to do. You would probably tell your kid they committed and that their team is depending on them so quitting impacts everyone.

Marching Band is the same thing. You are a part of a larger team that is working together to produce an amazing product. Some bands compete, our band won state and regionals when I was in high school. It was awesome. We spent a few years working to get to that level. Lots of summer practice and devotion after school.

Dropping out of Marching Band hurts the other kids and the band as a whole. I am not sure if kids should have to participate in Marching Band as part of a class requirement, that was not part of the deal at my school in the 80’s but I know my nieces and nephews had to for band. It does suck for the Director and Choreographer if kids drop out. It is hard to rework those formations.

Still there shouldn’t be shouting but scolding, yeah, I get it.


Exactly. In fact dropping out of band is worse than dropping out of a sport mid season since there is not a person that replaces you. Your missing now creates a gap that screws things up.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 09:51     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


I would have put a recoding on Nextdoor and youtube
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 08:57     Subject: Re:Does every HS require this for band?


I probably shouldn't post as I'm not in DMV but thought I'd add that if the OP is unsure of requirements, they should check directly with the Band Director. In our area, it's literally a school-by-school decision for most of what's been discussed here but it's generally the opposite of the OP: to be in marching band, you must be in "band" (at any level) and some even accept any performing art (like drama or chorus). In recognition of all the work, MB is an honors-weighted one-semester course (that's not scheduled during the regular class day....it's just all the pre- and post-practices and performances).

I'll also second it is a huge blow for a student to start MB, then quit mid-season. Formations have been laid out with everyone in mind and without them (and it happens, esp during COVID and required quarantines) that they'd have to march with 'holes'. It's a LOT harder.

All that said, and despite all the hard work, MB has been a HS highlight for both of ours. We have an amazing young, talented, and extraordinarily patient and dedicated band director and the kids are quirky and cool, smart and friendly. They are a tight bunch, to be sure.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 08:05     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


Our HS band teacher is a screamer too, but puts on a real show for parents.


Growing up, I had two different band directors who were chair throwers. Now, as a parent of two kids taking band and strings and as an adult returner, I can see that anyone who chooses to be a music teacher is half crazy. Or full crazy. But they love music and the kids know that and respect it. Parents, sometimes, not so much.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 07:44     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


If you are in a Marching Band that competes in field competitions then losing kids is huge. Drill formations and movements are determined by the number of people on the field. If a member is unable to be there, they leave a gap in the formation and it can effect the kids on the left and right of the missing marcher because they learned to keep themselves in line with that person.

So yea, if a person commits to marching band and then drops out, it is a huge deal because it means potentially redoing to formation. And that is not easy.


This is my post. That said, there is no reason for screaming but I fully understand being upset and lecturing a kid sternly. You would probably discourage your kid from dropping out of their fall sport because they found something else they want to do. You would probably tell your kid they committed and that their team is depending on them so quitting impacts everyone.

Marching Band is the same thing. You are a part of a larger team that is working together to produce an amazing product. Some bands compete, our band won state and regionals when I was in high school. It was awesome. We spent a few years working to get to that level. Lots of summer practice and devotion after school.

Dropping out of Marching Band hurts the other kids and the band as a whole. I am not sure if kids should have to participate in Marching Band as part of a class requirement, that was not part of the deal at my school in the 80’s but I know my nieces and nephews had to for band. It does suck for the Director and Choreographer if kids drop out. It is hard to rework those formations.

Still there shouldn’t be shouting but scolding, yeah, I get it.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2023 05:50     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


If you are in a Marching Band that competes in field competitions then losing kids is huge. Drill formations and movements are determined by the number of people on the field. If a member is unable to be there, they leave a gap in the formation and it can effect the kids on the left and right of the missing marcher because they learned to keep themselves in line with that person.

So yea, if a person commits to marching band and then drops out, it is a huge deal because it means potentially redoing to formation. And that is not easy.


+1
This has a big impact on all the other kids because each kid has their own space in the formation and they have been working on learning all the formations since early Aug. It is really shitty to drop out mid season.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2023 21:00     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


Our HS band teacher is a screamer too, but puts on a real show for parents.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2023 18:45     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.


If you are in a Marching Band that competes in field competitions then losing kids is huge. Drill formations and movements are determined by the number of people on the field. If a member is unable to be there, they leave a gap in the formation and it can effect the kids on the left and right of the missing marcher because they learned to keep themselves in line with that person.

So yea, if a person commits to marching band and then drops out, it is a huge deal because it means potentially redoing to formation. And that is not easy.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2023 18:40     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Our HS band director was known for screaming at kids when she heard they were going to play a fall sport. Anticipating this, I told DD that if she made the fall sports team I would tell the band director myself in person. It was one of the most horrible teacher interactions I have had. I definitely got screamed at. I told her DD had never played the sport before (which was true) so we had no idea if she would make the team. I told her, "surely you have had others drop band. Maybe the family moves away. The kids break a leg, or something. Things happen." So much screaming.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2023 17:36     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
My son would say marching band was the highlight of HS for him. And MB was required for the higher level bands at his Arlington HS. Just like a sport, you make a commitment to the 'team'. Your absence makes the whole band suffer. I don't fault band directors one bit.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2023 17:33     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Marching band is treated like a sport in some ways, OP. Marching band students have to get in shape for the season, too. They do push ups. They run miles in the hot, summer sun. They do a "hell week" of 12-hour non-stop band practice.

It isn't a gimme, it isn't easy. And it looks damn good on a college application. Marching band helped our oldest get into a very competitive university. It showed dedication to something over four years, and band kids are the smart kids. You want your kid around the smart kids. High school sports are a dime a dozen, but there is only one marching band at school. Do it!


I've seen our school's marching band. You must have a very expansive view of 'in shape'


Your school must be doing something wrong, then. Any remotely competitive marching band will force a kid to get in shape. It's a lot of exercise -- marching around a football field for 8 minutes seems easy enough until you actually have to do it.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2023 16:41     Subject: Does every HS require this for band?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At Robinson, kids playing in concert 3 or above are required to participate in marching band. Is this the norm? My kid would rather do a fall club sport, but doing both would be impossible. It just doesn’t seem fair.

Unless things are changing for next year, Concert 3 does not require marching band participation. Just the higher bands.


OP here. I probably confused this. My kid is in Advanced Band now and required to do MB. They have done MB for a few years now.I was just trying to gauge whether this is the standard. Not trying to put down MB, and theydo like it, but they’d rather do something different next year.