[TPIN] RE: TPIN Digest, Vol 17, Issue 4

[D. Michael 'Silvan' McIntyre]

On Tuesday 04 July 2006 1:10 pm, John Cooper wrote:

> want to play at the end of the day.  But, I'm a firm believer that if I
> can't do it, then I shouldn't teach it!  Just my .02 cents!

Just out of curiosity, does that mean you can play flute, clarinet, sax, oboe, 
trombone, French horn, tuba, xylophone, etc.?

That gets to an interesting question about whether a band director should be a 
strong player on one specialized horn, or a jack-of-all-trades type who can 
knock out an elementary level melody on anything.

I'm more likely to fit the latter bill, honestly.  I've settled down to a 
stage where the trumpet is the only mistress I care about, and I'm letting my 
other instruments collect dust, but I've always been best at being able to 
get a melody out of anything you thrust into my hands than at playing like 
any kind of competent musician on anything.

What do you have to do to become a band director anyway?  I've been thinking 
lately that's really what I'd like to do when I grow up.  My son's band 
director is out pretty regularly with various health problems, and they 
always get some nimrod in to sub who sits the band in front of a Walt Disney 
movie.  I've been contemplating offering to sub for her when she's out, and 
maybe trying to parlay that into a future as a band director someday.

(I majored in foreign languages, but didn't get certified to teach high 
school.  I was going to go on for a PhD, and become a professor/professional 
student, but instead I kind of wound up driving an 18-wheeler to keep the 
roof over our heads.  Long story.  My relationship with music has been 
growing steadily ever since I got out of school, and I feel like I missed my 
calling somehow.)

-- 
D. Michael 'Silvan' McIntyre  ----   Silvan <dmmcintyr at users.sourceforge.net>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek;  registered Linux user #243621

Author of Rosegarden Companion http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/