DCI Chief Judge Gary Markham's wife in the hot seat

[oldsoprano]

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/24199093/article-New-band-director-at-Lassiter-spurs-ire-from-parents--pupils?instance=home_lead_story

[HockeyDad]

She has a master's degree in music education and about 15 years experience. But yeah, some snot nosed prima donna kid knows more about tone quality and balance. Heaven help the band director. The parents wanted to be involved in the hiring process? Wow. Thanks but no thanks.

[zachariaswmb]

Yeah, this is absolutely ridiculous. Was the old band director there excellent? Yes. Is the new director different? Yes. That does not make her bad. It just means she's a different person. These kids need to get over themselves. She doesn't have the expertise needed to talk to you? She's okay as a band director, as long as she's teaching a band that doesn't want to be good? Get over yourselves, or life is going to be very difficult and confusing for you.

[Peel Paint]

I don't know any of the people involved, but it's always tough to succeed a legend. Sounds like some wouldn't have welcomed any new director let alone a female one. When key members of the ensemble will badmouth you to a newspaper and parents will meet over bowls of chili to discuss your perceived shortcomings instead of leading to accommodate a new style and build support, you've got problems. Oh I'm sure they can say they tried and were rebuffed, but I've seen this before; there are people who want her to fail, and unfortunately they're using their leadership skills in all the wrong ways. If she can hang on for a few years to get her new students and parents on board, she'll probably do very well. But it's going to be a bumpy ride for a time.

Of course the principal can't discuss the hiring process except in the most general way--get a clue, parents.

Edited December 11, 2013 by Peel Paint

[CANDRUMMER]

I pity the poor guy who came to the Marine Band after SOUSA!!

Since when did PARENTS have a say in hiring practices? Just another instants of parent meddling. Grow up kids and hey parents too

Life is about change, challenges Get over it!

,

Edited December 14, 2013 by CANDRUMMER

[RContra]

The fact that this article exists in the first place mostly just indicates she clearly isn't a public relations specialist. I can't claim anything about UGA or Illinois, but I know when I went through my M.Ed program, we were told very explicitly that classroom management also means parent, admin and community management. Whether she changed things or not isn't the issue. With her experience, I'd assume she knows her stuff, and I really hope she ends up successful. What's disappointing is that along her many years of experience, no one apparently taught her the PR side of things. If you want to run an effective classroom, you've got to master the whole game, not just your content area. Sounds like the kids and parents smell blood in the water and are starting to circle faster. Scary situation for the director to be in. Wish her the best.

[jonnyboy]

My old director went to a new school after a legend retired. In the east coast circuit TOB, my old direct would win his chapter every few seasons and routinely come it 15th-20th place at the championships, the retired legend won his chapter every year and routinely place in the top 3 at championships. The new guy quickly dropped his new band to new lows, even failing to make the championship weekend. It seemed the kids just disappeared when the new guy didn't measure up. The parents weren't happy and caused a minor stink. I was on staff his fifth year, when only one kid (who marched in 8th grade) remembered the old ways.

It's hard to follow a great director, coach or teacher, especially one that has competitive success. Give it a year or two and the the current upperclassmen will be gone, and things will settle down. In four years there will only be bitter resentment by a few vocal people. I feel for the parents and kids, but this is a life lesson, things change.

You know, I kinda feel sorry for some of these band programs that have been built up so grand that anything less is a failure. Kids are pretty much the same everywhere, and these kids should feel lucky they had such a great director. It is your right to a great education and good teachers, if you are lucky enough to have had one of the top 1% of teachers (or coaches) in any subject you should be grateful and not bitter.

[JimF-LowBari]

She has a master's degree in music education and about 15 years experience. But yeah, some snot nosed prima donna kid knows more about tone quality and balance. Heaven help the band director. The parents wanted to be involved in the hiring process? Wow. Thanks but no thanks.

Not ot mention how long to warm up the members..... *sheesh* like every instrument and person is the same.....

[chaos001]

The kid who said she doesn't know half the curriculum had me rolling. Apparently Paganini knows more than his well-educated and experienced teacher. For crying out loud.

"The customer's always right" mentality has got to go.

[JimF-LowBari]

The kid who said she doesn't know half the curriculum had me rolling. Apparently Paganini knows more than his well-educated and experienced teacher. For crying out loud.

"The customer's always right" mentality has got to go.

I'm seeing this as problems with change due to new leader. Chruch I used to go to had two previos ministers that had been around total of almost 50 years and they had the same low keyed style. New guy comes in and not afraid to open his mouth on things. Everything he did that was "different" was seen as wrong in lot of peoples eyes. Mainly people who had been arond forever and had gotten used to the "old way of doing things". Current church had a long time minister retire and new guy is.... kind... of ... young.. (DUH!)... and it's just so hard for people to change their perceptions on things.

I can just hear "That's not how Mr... would do it. What's wrong with her?".

Edited December 11, 2013 by JimF-LowBari