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Some version of this story (maybe not as bad, maybe worse) will happen to most of you at some point in your career as a band director.* If that prospect excites you, you may be on the right career path. If not . . .

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/24 ... lead_story" target="_blank

* If you don't want a career as a band director, don't major in music education.

Almost impossible to read this due to intrusive pop-ups.

Read through the grayed out popup.
This is very, very sad.
Perhaps the parents can complain to the HR departments of the companies that don't hire their "elite" students in a few years.

Marty "tired of hearing that every kid that stopped sucking his/her thumb is gifted and agenius

Imagine having to go to work every day in that situation.

MartyNeilan wrote:Perhaps the parents can complain to the HR departments of the companies that don't hire their "elite" students in a few years.

Which they will, not doubt, while complaining that they were NOT allowed to accompany their child on his/her job interview...

Hate to burst your bubble but the parents have a point. This school is less than a mile from my house. It is the most amazing band program you could imagine. I for one would NEVER follow Alfred EVER. He is the epitome of the dream I had 50 years ago when I decided to become a music educator and could never live up to. As for the lady in question, she unfortunately seems to be ill prepared to follow Alfred, as would 99% of the band directors out there. There apparently was some behind the scenes politics in her hiring, some of it at very high levels. I understand how the kids and the parents feel, but who do you hire to replace a legend. It would be kind of like following Bear Bryant at Alabama. She was doomed before she started. My advice to aspiring music education majors, " Sell insurance." How would you like to compete with this: http://lassiterbands.org/index.cfm?pID=6997" target="_blank

In answering "how do you follow a legend", the model from some church organizations is to have an interim pastor (teacher) for a year or so. That way the memory of the legend is not so fresh. Also, when I was young, we had a legend for a band director. He continued to teach part time for a couple of years while the new people were brought in so the transition was smooth. As it turned out, the new guys were better than the legend.

opus37 wrote:In answering "how do you follow a legend", the model from some church organizations is to have an interim pastor (teacher) for a year or so. That way the memory of the legend is not so fresh. Also, when I was young, we had a legend for a band director. He continued to teach part time for a couple of years while the new people were brought in so the transition was smooth. As it turned out, the new guys were better than the legend.

I think the above is exactly what they are trying to do. Ginny taught at this school under Alfred for 5 or 6 years a few years ago. Alfred is still around and conducts the Cobb Wind Symphony who rehearse every Sunday afternoon in his old band room. He is probably more dismayed with this current uprising than anyone. Don't know that she was handpicked by Alfred to succeed him but I wouldn't be a bit surprised. This is an upscale area both financially and education wise. These band parents are comprised of CEO's, presidents and big time shakers and movers for sure. They don't understand. "Sit down, shut up and let us do our job!", which is what they are hearing form the school. They wanted a "National Search" which ain't gonna happen. It is a mess that I'm glad I'm not involved with.

Yeah, she must REALLY stink, they only won a Bands of America Regional according to their website.

I remember going to an interview at a high school a long time ago. When I saw the president of the band booster club in the interview, I raised my eyebrow. When she started asking questions, I knew I was not taking the job if offered. I was in the position to be able to do that as I had a job, but that was a major red flag.

No, she doesn't stink but Regionals are kind of expected over there. They have won Regionals 11 times since 1995, and 2 Grand National Championships. Alfred set the bar real high. He even caught some flack when they finished 3rd at Regionals one year. There is no way for her to win. She just has to outlast them.

I never got too involved in the band boosters at Sprayberry when my son was there just after their legend (on of the founders of Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps and uncle to Chris Martin, if my memory is close to correct) retired, but it seems as though they went through a couple of directors in fairly short order also. And since I no longer have kids in band there, I don't know if it has settled down, or how they are doing.

This too shall pass.

So the band parents got their noses out of joint when they didn't get to pick new band director. Other than having a kid in band - what qualifies them to make such a decision. While having no knowledge of the situation other than reading the link the OP listed, it would seem the new director was more than qualified for the position by both education and past experience.

I think this would all go away instantly, if the so called living legend past director stepped up to the plate, did the right thing by giving the new director his blessing/vote of confidence and then told the band boosters to knock it off and start acting as grown ups.

The living legend director is probably well advised to keep his mouth shut and stay away from this one. This is about to get uglier I am afraid, despite the efforts of a bunch of folks to diffuse it. Both sides now have attorneys according to the newspaper. This is so sad. There is a potential liable suit because Ginny's husband Gary was the School District's Director of Music when she was hired and is currently the BOA chief adjudicator. It seems that this small group of parents has publicy made some very disparaging remarks, quotes, about the political relationships involved. Of course the newspaper, which in my opinion has a history of stirring this kind of stuff up, sells more papers. "And that's all I'm going to say about that." to quote Tom Hanks.