Aubrey

Indecisive.

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 13:49:08 GMT

A lot of not so good things are going on.

The administration is seriously waiting until the last minute to decide on a director. It's bad. Very bad. We don't have our show picked out yet, and there's three days of school left. I can't even begin to explain how uncomfortable I am going into summer with NO ONE having the music... I'm veryyyyy apprehensive.

I've been working a lot in the library lately... since I'm librarian. Hah. Everything's clean. Everything's in it's proper cabinet... but I need to alphabetize all the songs & print off lists. I don't think it'll take that long... I'm not too worried about it. The only part that I am a little worried about is actually taking everything out and putting it all back in. That'll take awhile.

I had a leadership meeting with everyone on Wednesday morning-- basically to talk about whether or not they wanted some little lesson classes over the summer. Obviously, I'll be the one teaching. So, I just have to write all of my lesson plans out. Woo. That's gonna be fun. I can do mostly all of the lessons out of the top of my head though, so it's cool.

Everything just has to go like clockwork this summer. I have to make sure I get everything done when I say I will... I have to be efficient and I HAVE to have the section leaders help me out... ahha. I hope everything works out well.

These last few weeks.

Sun, 27 May 2007 21:02:50 GMT

Drum Major workshops were on the 16th and 17th, and try-outs were on the 18th, and our band banquet was on the 21st.

The workshops were a lot less rigorous than I expected them to be. All of the candidates and Mr. Asberry sat together and talked about what being a Drum Major means, and he had us make up some scenarios and tell what we'd do if we were in the middle of it.

Try-outs consisted of our essay, conducting, teaching techniques and an interview with Mr. Asberry, Kyle ('06-'07 DM) and Cara ('05-'06 guard captain). All of it was a lot simpler than I thought it was going to be, but I did my best regardless. I was actually rather disappointed that none of the other candidates brought dress attire for their interview.

The banquet was really great, though. I was excited to give out all the band council/parent awards and I was excited to find out who all the new student leaders were, of course.

To keep it short, Rachel and I received the John Philip Sousa award... heck yes! We were so excited and in disbelief... it was awesome!
Ray and Stephen received Drum Captain.
Candy received Guard Captain, Katie received Co-Captain.
I received Drum Major, Gus received Assistant.

We took our first leadership pictures and all... it was great.
I'm so ready to be Drum Major.

Our new director interviews are finished, as well. There were eight applicants, and the top three went back for a second interview. Mr. Smith, Mr. Crystal and Ms. Tranowski (or something close). The job was offered to Mr. Smith... and if everything comes out fine, he's our new director. :]
We'll know for sure this week, and I'll be sure to update.

Concerns.

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 01:08:53 GMT

As you might know, our group's getting a new director at the end of this year.
There are two possible people: one director who is experienced and who knows what he's doing, and a young, straight out of college new director, who is an alumni of the district. (She went to our rival school.)
Everyone is really concerned that the district office doesn't have an accurate perception of what it really is that our program strives for, and a lot of people feel like they're filling the position with incorrect biases.
So, a lot of kids asked me if I would talk to Asberry for them, and if I wouldn't mind setting up a meeting with our superintendant or going to the district office for their next board meeting and speaking on behalf of the band.
Before I made any decisions about what I should do, I decided I would talk to Asberry about it. So, I did.

His thought was that everyone who can be on our side is on our side. We're a huge marching program and we really strive for excellence in marching season. And, he thinks that, with a new director, they won't come in and want to ruin the program... they'll come in and keep the program going the way it is with only a few changes here and there. And, if she tries to change our program, no one is going to let them... there's too much pressure on them to keep being excellent and to keep us active at pep rallies, games and of course, at the huge number of competitions we go to. Most bands only do three, four, five shows in one circuit every season. We do 10 competitions and host our own, in three different circuits. So, needless to say, we're always busy, we're always practicing, we're always learning and we're always at the band room. Hahaha. But, point being, with so much expected, she wouldn't come into the job willingly if she didn't already know the expectations.
And, if they decides not to do marching season, which is a rumor... everyone will quit. We're all in concert band to stay sharp for marching band.

So, after relaying it back to most of the kids, they're a little more confident about next year, which makes me more confident. It's been a hectic week, and I'm glad everything's going to be settled soon.

Essay.

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 19:10:08 GMT

Oh, I'm so happy. Last night, I just sat down in my room, with nothing on, no iPod, no distractions & I pretty much got through my whole essay.
And it's good, too.
It's everything I could really want it to be so far.
I'm so proud of it.

Only about thirty or so days until tryouts...

Writer's block.

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:50:00 GMT

I tried to start writing out stuff for my Drum Major essay last night... and I can't think of anything to write.

I know what I want to put into it, but I really don't want to seem cocky and I don't want to boast my experience.

I guess the biggest challenge of this whole thing is figuring out how to write it calmly, persuasively, honestly and humble.

It's not even due for another month and a half. But, it's never to early to start thinking about it. :]

First post.

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 21:15:02 GMT

First entry of what should be a long journey. I'm excited to share it publicly, as I'm not used to making journal entries public.

So, I'm on Spring Break at the moment. School starts Monday, and so does band.
Over this entire break, I've been searhing for shows (and I found the perfect one), checking out potential sponsorship places, practicing (obviously), and making a recruitment video.
I've been asking as many band kids as possible to listen to the show & give me some feedback-- whether or not they like it and if they think we'll be able to do it. They all have the greatest comments and they seem excited, so I'll be going and talking with Asberry about it on Monday.
He's set on Phantom of the Opera, which has great music, but it's not appropriate for us this upcoming year. Honestly, out of all the kids in band, I know of only two or three who really like it as much as everyone else likes the show I picked out.
We'll see, though.

We're also getting a new director at the end of this year. Our band's been through about seven directors in the last five or six years. All of the juniors, like myself, are really hoping that we find someone who will stay, because we all know stability is an important part of any good band.

Until next time. :]