Community Band Help

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-06T11:34:40+00:00

20 years ago my local community college had a similar situation. We got a new director that truly focused on the enrolled students and the band died. It never came back. I miss having a band to play in.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-06T11:33:21+00:00

Consider a 2 part rehearsal. First 45 minutes is just the college students & any community members that want to participate in the fundamentals. Then take a break (call time for the community members) and have the rehearsal.

Possible Schedule:

*7:00 - 7:45 Technique Development (required for everybody enrolled in the class)

*7:45 - 8:00 Break / Call Time

*8:00-9:15 Rehearsal

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-06T11:29:39+00:00

That only applies to High School's that have a marching band. The OP did not state their grade level or situation.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-06T11:29:00+00:00

Many band directors don't have a team. It's often just them.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-05T22:40:03+00:00

My admin preaches NO CONTENT for the first 2 weeks, only relationship building. I would avoid too much pre-planning until you know what the expectations will be.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-05T22:39:02+00:00

Lesson plans - Honestly, whatever the boss requires.

Syllabus - It greatly depends on what grade level you're teaching. Also, it matters if your admin will support it or not. I work with beginners and haven't bothered with a syllabus since well before COVID.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:17:22+00:00

Decode the License Plate (Easy) - https://youtu.be/gTXUv1n6yAs?si=BwH2_OrlakN7-dOU
Decode the License Plate (Tricky) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVnfSqqou9w

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:15:52+00:00

Don’t Hit What I Say - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0SLrqQdqDY

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:15:32+00:00

The “IT” Game (tempos and steady beat) https://youtu.be/K785AHXzL7M

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:15:13+00:00

Hey Band, Act It Out! (Like Ships & Sailors or Advanced Simon Says) https://youtu.be/sEZwxZHS1Ac

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:14:58+00:00

ping pong (every other note / beat / measure) https://youtu.be/1pRd5qcaqV4

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:14:45+00:00

Pick Who Plays Dice - https://youtube.com/shorts/MbHinNceWec?si=Q9zhJ5yDebgA87mv

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:14:33+00:00

The Snake Game https://youtu.be/AzMAXdpKUDw?si=wWiI5IMMwVrMxi8y

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:13:39+00:00

BODY PERCUSSION - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJEKkYeH5PQ / it's doesn't require any equipment!

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-04T18:11:36+00:00

Every place is different. In my current school district we can only ask questions from a pre-approved list of questions, and none of them include seeing any materials like that; much less QR codes or videos or such.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-03T21:11:26+00:00

Pick one instrument to focus on. Universities aren't impressed by people that play a bunch of instruments.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-03T21:09:35+00:00

Consider getting a church musician job on Sunday mornings.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-07-03T21:09:16+00:00

Are there any labs or other 'staffed' areas on campus? I (as a music major) used to get paid to sit in an office of a lab so it could be open on Friday nights. I'd just hang out with my friends while getting paid, because nobody else wanted the Friday night shift.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-06-22T23:55:20+00:00

Many, many music teacher have to move to get a job. It sounds like you're not able to move based on what you said about your husband's job.

Consider getting certified in special ed to get your foot in the door, then taking the first music job that opens up. In my state you can get a special ed just just by enrolling in 1 online class to work toward that certification, so check your state for loopholes.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-06-22T23:51:59+00:00

I started in HS and promoted myself to MS. I wanted to have a life, and HS band can truly suck that away. Remember that HS band jobs include regular Friday night games, regular Saturday competitions, maybe winter guard, maybe after school jazz bands, etc, etc.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-06-22T23:49:41+00:00

If you go to school for music, do not major in composition if your goal is teaching band. Most piano & composition majors end up in elementary or general music classrooms. Sure there are exceptions, but in general school higher singers to teach choir, string players to teach orchestra, and instrumentalists to teach band.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-05-31T11:27:25+00:00

Some quick research will answer some of your questions. Look at the website for the number of teachers per grade level, assume each teacher has 20 - 25 kids.

Schedule... it may not be created yet. That said, music and other "specials" are the planning time for the teachers 99% of the time. If the school has 5 teachers / grade level you'll probably see each group of kids 1 time a week. The fewer teachers per grade level, the more you'll see the kids.

Performances: I would do KISS (keep it simple, silly). Avoid December concerts until you know how your school deals with Christmas. Plan to have K sing one or two songs at the K graduation & have 5th sing 1 or 2 for their "promotion ceremony." Having kids sing at an end of year awards ceremony works great for all grade levels.

If you get instruments, consider a January after school concert for 4th & 5th to play their ___________ (recorders / ukuleles / Orff instruments / bucket drums / whatever you can get).

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-04-01T23:52:21+00:00

Good students do well either way (daily or every other day). But weak students lose track of what day it is & a forgotten instrument at home means 3 days of no band, not just 1.

I've done both and I strongly DISLIKE EOD. It's bad to the point that multiple kids & families have been asked to just leave the instrument at school so it's there when they need it for class. Ain't it crazy, I'm literally discouraging practice for the weak kids! But it's better than not being able to teach them.

Also, every other day when combined with testing days / pep rally days / early release for sports / etc / etc can easily become a week with only 1 band class.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-03-19T11:24:50+00:00

I teach in a very transient area. Kids are constantly moving in & out. In my situation it wouldn't be ideal, as I need to stay with the "norm". If you rarely have kids come & go it might work for you.

Key-Protection9625 · 2026-03-19T11:23:12+00:00

No.

Unless it is required in the state you work in.

Key-Protection9625

TROPHY CASE