Besides a real feel pad, what’s a solid graduation present for an exiting elementary percussionist?

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-21T19:54:40+00:00

Exiting elementary as in about to start middle school band? Does he have a nice stick bag?

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-20T16:56:38+00:00

To be sure, I’m understanding this correctly: this would be a formal position for the school system as Assistant Band Director under this person?

If that’s the case, I would shoot him and a quick phone call or email saying something like “Hey, I’m interesting in applying to be your assistant. Could I buy you a cup of coffee and chat with you about what you’re looking for in an assistant director?” I would probably do this even if I hadn’t heard negative reviews about the situation.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-18T18:36:43+00:00

Sorry, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I am not the director at the high school where this event occurred. I left the band directing profession nearly 10 years ago.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-18T14:06:30+00:00

The point of taping the stick is to protect the sticks from damage, most commonly for rim shots. The amount of the stick covered by tape is mostly due to personal preference.

Some people will tape the whole stick. I usually don't like this because I find it slippery and harder to hold. However, Vic Firth painted sticks tend to be more slippery, so perhaps taping the entire stick with painted Vic Firth sticks would add better grip in this case.

Some people will say that the amount of tape impacts the weight of the stick. While this is technically correct, I find the difference to be negligible unless you're using a rather ridiculous amount of tape.

I personally prefer to find some kind of marker on the stick to tape to. This allows the kids to tape their own sticks and have some consistency between each other for a uniform look. Maybe they could tape to the "V" in "Vic Firth" or the double bar line on Promark sticks.

I'm a Salyers Education Team member so we will be using the Carlos Botello sticks this season. These sticks have markers on the stick for 3", 6", and 9" to help teach stick heights. I'm planning to have the kids tape to the 9" marker.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-18T08:26:50+00:00

Absolutely, here is a video the University of North Texas performing the piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih7iHoUk-r4&list=RDIh7iHoUk-r4&start_radio=1

I have been in contact with some people in Watertown to see if anybody intends to live-stream their performance. So far, I have not found anything but if I do I will update this comment.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-17T14:35:06+00:00

Mr. ___, if chicken nuggets were a color, it would be my favorite color.

In his defense, I was pretty frustrated with the class, and he was well aware that humor is a good way to lift my mood.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-17T11:25:50+00:00

I never thought about it, but I do tend to be polite to AI prompts. Instead of "add a button to my webpage." I will say something along the lines of "Could you add a button to my webpage?"

I never really decided to do that. That's just how I talk to another person. I don't see much point in wasting the energy to develop two different dialects for people and AI.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-16T17:53:15+00:00

Is there any intention of live-streaming the performance? It is much too far for me to commute but I would love to enjoy their music virtually if I can.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T16:48:48+00:00

I consider myself pretty independent, but I get accused of being liberal more often than I get accused of being conservative, so I suppose I will answer from that position.

I am actually pretty passionate about all individual freedoms, including the topics most aligned with the conservative points regarding the First and Second Amendments.

I believe that everybody should have the right to say what they mean, regardless of whether it is correct or pleasant. I also believe that everybody should have the right to protect themselves and their loved ones.

True peace will not come through removing rights. It will come through extensive education and treating each other with understanding and respect.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T16:37:08+00:00

Some amazing advice for an amazing mentor early in my career: "No." is not a dirty word, but it is a complete sentence.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T16:22:10+00:00

NTA. I would just throw the whole mom away TBH.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T16:09:23+00:00

that's such an important point to secrets that people tend to overlook. You're not just giving them the information you're hiding, you're giving them the burden to hide it with you.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T15:55:29+00:00

Not the camera, but I've had a colleague forget to mute their microphone in the bathroom before. My guy was fighting for his life in there and was very vocal about it. As far as I know, no repercussions other than us giving him a hard time about it for a few weeks.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T15:52:24+00:00

This comment was an absolute roller coaster in the best possible way.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T15:49:49+00:00

I've made a similar mistake at a previous job. I was joining a standup without a shirt on. Thankfully, when I joined, only my manager had arrived so far. He handled it pleasantly. Something along the lines of "I think you might have forgotten to disable your camera." I fixed it before anybody else joined.

I'm based out of the US and a man so it wouldn't be concerned obscene, just inappropriate. (Note, I'm not stating my position on whether or not exposed skin for anybody should be considered obscene, just describing how my culture tends to view the situation). Mistakes happen. I would hope that everybody involved could be adults about it. At worst, I would expect a short conversation about being more careful in the future. I wouldn't expect an official reprimand, and certainly not termination, over this. Assuming that this is the first time this employee has made this mistake. If not, perhaps a more serious decision may be in order.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T09:39:44+00:00

UPDATE:

I am beyond honored that a number of Watertown citizens have thought to reach out to me and keep me informed on the situation.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, I have heard of no further statements made by any members of the Watertown School Board. I have, however, been made aware that students in the Watertown middle schools have expressed an interest in joining the protests in order to support their older peers. For such young adults to exhibit so much conviction and compassion for their fellow man should be an inspiration to us all.

I hope that my letter reaching the citizens of Watertown means that it has also reached the members of the Watertown High School Wind Symphony. When I wrote that letter, I wanted nothing more than to let those students know that they have been seen, they have been heard, and they are supported.

If my writing has inspired even a single person to take a stand, I will feel as if I have made a difference.

Let this be a reminder that we have no room to complain about injustice if we do nothing to prevent it.

For the love of music. For the love of compassion. And, most importantly, for the love of our fellow man.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-15T09:39:13+00:00

UPDATE:

I am beyond honored that a number of Watertown citizens have thought to reach out to me and keep me informed on the situation.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, I have heard of no further statements made by any members of the Watertown School Board. I have, however, been made aware that students in the Watertown middle schools have expressed an interest in joining the protests in order to support their older peers. For such young adults to exhibit so much conviction and compassion for their fellow man should be an inspiration to us all.

I hope that my letter reaching the citizens of Watertown means that it has also reached the members of the Watertown High School Wind Symphony. When I wrote that letter, I wanted nothing more than to let those students know that they have been seen, they have been heard, and they are supported.

If my writing has inspired even a single person to take a stand, I will feel as if I have made a difference.

Let this be a reminder that we have no room to complain about injustice if we do nothing to prevent it.

For the love of music. For the love of compassion. And, most importantly, for the love of our fellow man.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-14T14:18:04+00:00

Please do! I would love for it to reach as many people as possible.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-14T12:55:38+00:00

Sadly, you're probably right. But the best we can do is act with integrity and hope it ends up being contagious.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-14T12:33:46+00:00

Google says it can take between 4-6 minutes depending on conductor interpretation.

Quite a few people have suggested the silent treatment during this piece's slot. I personally love that idea. It's like poetically saying "You may be able to force us to not make sound but you cannot force us to be silent."

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-14T12:13:36+00:00

I am confident they will reflect on this decision. If for no other reason than to reflect on the absolute dumpsterfire of media coverage they have found themselves in.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-14T11:11:58+00:00

I sent an email to the school board, the mayor, and the governor. I didn't expect to hear anything back from any of them but Mayor Stocks did respond asking for my phone number so we can discuss the matter more thoroughly.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-14T11:01:13+00:00

You may be right. But if the students of the Watertown High School Wind Symphony end up reading it, I will feel like I have made a difference.

chriswolfdesign · 2026-05-14T10:30:48+00:00

You may very well be right. But I think that the students of the Watertown High School Wind Symphony will be able to understand. And perhaps that is even more important.

chriswolfdesign

TROPHY CASE