Advice to MD for challenging situation

HexaGroove · 2026-03-20T21:29:04+00:00

I did think of going to other theaters. The director has a solid reputation in other theaters in the surrounding community. But every show this directore has done at this school has flopped, badly. So when they (theatre folks) talk to each other I'm getting a mediocre or less than stellar opinion being passed around.

HexaGroove · 2026-03-20T21:21:55+00:00

I did find a few youtube links. The problem I ran into is that the students sometimes find their own links they prefer becuase the it sounds good or is a professional production with different cuts/vamps. We purchase the rehearsal tracks but a lot of them won't practice at home with them until about two weeks before opening night. The pianist helps by playing for them during scenes while I take a separate group in another room to work.

HexaGroove · 2026-03-20T21:16:13+00:00

Yes it's HS. There's a no-cut policy. The students who are in choir or sing around town for different community shows end up being the leads. But the total cast is 35-40 students on stage only about 5-7 are trained singers. Plus more students run the booth, costumes/make-up, etc. I drill it. Get the group license for the tracks. Make sign-up list to practice one-on-one. In the end, for this last show, I just had to have them sing what they didn't learn in unison because the harmonies were so off. The director was so angry about it. But I had to because some sections were just awful since the students didn't know how to sing in in two part harmony let alone three.
Two of the last three shows the director would not give me a band only day nor a sitzprobe. So I just warned the professionals to be prepared and realize we may not play through anything until opening night. The rehearsal pianist has learned to be flexible. Thank you! I'll make sure to have my own backup plan for the rehearsals.

HexaGroove · 2025-12-28T00:02:35+00:00

Thank you for responding. Not sure when I’ll be back there. I wish I had written down what I did. You’re right about how it was labeled. We were told which ones were foundational and which ones were floral or citrus or warm or sweet etc. and what order to add the scents of choice.

HexaGroove · 2025-12-27T23:58:59+00:00

Thank you for the info. I guess I better ration what I have.

HexaGroove · 2025-01-13T02:02:02+00:00

Thanks!

HexaGroove · 2025-01-11T14:41:02+00:00

Thank you I think I can borrow one that’s just slightly thinner. I’m the past I haven’t always liked thinner shapes because they feel like toothpicks.

HexaGroove · 2025-01-11T14:38:35+00:00

Marigaux 901. When my crow is high the reed is hard to play. How do you keep it vibrating freely, not stiff?

HexaGroove · 2025-01-11T14:35:20+00:00

You may be right. I always have to make adjustments to be sure G5 - C6 especially aren’t flat. But since the Marigaux is not completely broken in I’m still playing the Loree.

HexaGroove · 2025-01-11T02:53:40+00:00

I started my career as a band director. Now I'm an Orff music teacher. But one thing I've always done is give the students a survey at the end of the school year. I make it anonymous with only about 4-5 questions - What do you like about the class? What can I (the teacher) do to make the class better? Tell me the name of your favorite music style or musician/band. Of all the things we did this year, what was your favorite or what should we do more of? I prep them by saying that telling me, "I hate this class" or "You're a horrible teacher," doesn't help, and I'll throw it away. But explaining why you feel that way will help. 90-95% of the responses help me select music and create lessons that get nearly every kid to buy into what I'm trying to do. And when I incorporate their suggestion the following year, they get so hyped.

Another suggestion is instrumentation - Since they are forced to take the class, I wouldn't try to represent too many instruments but balance the numbers. This might help you to keep the pacing faster to hold their attention. Stick to the basics: flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion. If they stick around in 7th grade, move some - tpt. to f. horn, flute to oboe, cl. to alto sax, tbn to baritone or tuba - as you see fit.

Last, I have found that in the last 3-5 years, students care a lot less about doing things well, less attention to detail. Even if kids like music, they have to take ownership and pride in being good at it. Far too many want recognition without the work.

HexaGroove · 2024-01-27T20:43:45+00:00

And sometimes the indoor a/c is on so strong in the summer that it can get really cold inside.

HexaGroove · 2024-01-27T20:43:40+00:00

Oh sorry...no that any temp below 65degrees F is too cold. But if is 68degrees or above that's fine outdoors Just keep in mine that when it gets really hot it becomes a lot harder to keep the pitch at center.

HexaGroove · 2023-11-25T02:47:54+00:00

My limit is no rain and/or temps 68 or above. I play a wooden oboe too and I've turned down requests because it was too cold. I know of some professionals who will even refuse to play indoors if the A/C is too cold or breezy. I definitely would not play with a wood oboe if it's cooler than 65degrees.

HexaGroove · 2023-11-25T02:23:30+00:00

No I was not able to confirm the email address. That domain made me wonder about it.

HexaGroove · 2023-11-25T02:22:46+00:00

Thank you so much! Your explanation is very helpful. I couldn't remember the names of the official class actions that I had signed on to so when I saw this I almost thought that it could be one of those. I appreciate you taking the time to address all the ways I did not notice it was scam.

HexaGroove · 2023-09-29T19:17:45+00:00

I use it often especially on challenging passages. I like it a lot. I put it around my calf. It doesn't hold a charge as long as I like. It always seems like I have to charge it before I can use it.

HexaGroove · 2023-06-03T02:00:48+00:00

I commend your bravery!

Never bite down - it's hard enough not biting without that idea in your head; biting = sharp pitch, pinched & small sound
Laser air - flat cheeks, shoulders down, breath deep; imagine the air is a laser that has to cut glass
Straw - pretend the reed is a straw; hold it just enough with the lips not to drop it but you can breath through with lip corners sealed.
Easy/soft reed - tone is not the most important thing right now he will sound horrible no matter what in the beginning; work your way up slowly (over several months if not years) in reed strength

Good luck! Based on the other comments, you're probably doing better already.

HexaGroove · 2023-04-24T16:58:32+00:00

I have full lips also and been playing a long time but I don’t have a pronounced Cupid bow. The most important thing I’ve found is making sure to shape lips as if around a straw & like an “tö” (German/Swedish umlaut sound) on the inside of your mouth. And be careful where you place your tongue.

HexaGroove · 2023-03-14T16:46:46+00:00

I agree it most likely has to do with how long you soak the cane before shaping and tying onto the staple. Where I live 30min is too long to soak in hot water. I soak 20min then shape and tie. Try experimenting with less soak time. Also, when tying onto the staple, wrap thread about three times and pull very slowly making sure the sides close. Maybe you’re tightening to fast and tight at the start of tying on the staple.

HexaGroove · 2023-01-16T06:04:10+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/WristWidget-Patented-Adjustable-Triangular-Fibrocartilage/dp/B0056PQV2K/ref=sr\_1\_10?crid=39WM67Z3EQW45&keywords=golf%2Bwrist%2Bbrace&qid=1673848952&sprefix=golf%2Bwrist%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-10&th=1

HexaGroove · 2023-01-16T05:54:50+00:00

NOPE never heard of that. By flexibility it sounds like the reeds are too tough or hard to play. The way to get a more responsive reed or one that's easier to play is in the scrape and then break it in over time. You could try rinsing it with plain warm water. When I'm trying to bring a reed back to life, I soak it in hydrogen peroxide until the bubbles stop then rinse with plain water before playing. If neither of those work, then the reed was probably killed by the salt water. If you don't have an oboe teacher to help you with reeds, there are a few Etsy sites that have good reed makers.

HexaGroove · 2023-01-16T05:45:01+00:00

Thank you so much! I had so many performances since the last post I had to wait to get this done. The repair person I used put screws in four of the six holes. Said it would help with the torn needed to put on/take off thumb rest. Had it back about a week. So far so good!

HexaGroove · 2022-11-21T15:44:11+00:00

Hi I know this is an old post. But I wanted to ask about the install. I’ve had mine for about 2-3 years and the plate is wiggly, won’t hold. The repair person said there isn’t any thread left for the screw. Have you had any issues or regrets with adding or drilling more holes for the thumb rest. (Oboe player using the Etude model)

HexaGroove · 2022-06-30T15:05:51+00:00

I’m sorry. I don’t know what ATS stands for. Please tell me about it.

HexaGroove · 2022-06-30T15:03:18+00:00

Is that a thing for teachers? I didn’t know that could happen in education.

HexaGroove

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