An Alternative to the Traditional Class Period During a Pandemic

 

To say that this year has been different would be an understatement of biblical proportions. At Camdenton High School, we made the decision to cancel the competitive marching season on July 13, 2020. This decision, while incredibly difficult, proved to the correct decision for our ensemble and for our school. While we did put together the most educational and productive performance for our community, it came with many challenges. At any given time, we would have at least 20 members out due to either a positive Covid test or a mandatory 14 day quarantine. At one point in our season, we had 60 members out. The challenges were great, but we persevered and made it!

So what do we do when at any time we have 50% of our group out...

Because our marching show consisted of only 3 1/2 minutes of music and drill, in-class marching band rehearsals were not necessary. The time before and after school was plenty of time to keep the abbreviated show at an acceptable level in spite of massive absences. The transition to concert band occurred at the beginning of September, but, again, what do you do when at any time we could be missing 25-50% of the ensemble?

There were decisions to be made. We could hang our heads, feel sorry for ourselves and just play "Among Us" all day, or we could figure out a way for our students to improve without the stress of teaching and learning one day--only to have to re-teach and relearn the same material when a new group of students return or leave.

We decided that the best alternative was to read music...and read a lot of music...and then read even more music.

The Goals

• 6 weeks of continuous sight-reading
• Wind Ensemble: sight-read 70 pieces by October 23
• Symphonic Band: 45 pieces
• Concert Band: 25 pieces
• We are about to hit all of these goals, and then some!

The Process

• It is as simple as passing out a piece of music, run it and turn it back in. Sometimes we will spend a few minutes with pre-discussion or we might take another run at a certain section, but for the most part...pass it out, play and return.
• Wind Sections would change their part assignments daily. If they played 1st trumpet on Monday, then on Tuesday they would play 2nd and continue to cycle through different parts daily.
• Percussionists were assigned a daily pod to be changed every day...not between every piece. Percussionists stay on the same equipment for the entire class period and change the following day.
  Pod A: Snare

  Pod B: Bass

  Pod C: Cymbals

  Pod D: Aux

  Pod E: Timpani

  Pod F: Keys
  By assignment daily pods, there is no need to switch instruments between pieces. No need to sterilize equipment until the end of the period AND each percussionist will have the opportunity to play every instrument every 7 days.

The Outcome

The Difficulties

• That's a ton of music.
• It takes A LOT of music. Every day after school, we are pulling 3 to 5 charts for every class. Making sure that there are enough parts for each section...especially for the percussionists.
• There is a ton of paper movement: passing out, collecting and putting back into score order.

Assessments

The Surprises

• Students love it!
• It is fun.
• As directors, we too, have grown. We understand scores better. We recognize all the same things the students recognize. AND...We really know our library better than ever!

I would have given anything to have had a normal marching season. I miss the grind. I miss the mental exhaustion that comes on a Sunday after a weekend of marching band. But the reality is: We must continue to have band in the midst of a pandemic. We have to find ways to make our classes work, to make our kids improve, to make our time productive and fun. We must resist the urge to give up when our band members are gone. We cannot allow the difficulties to get us down. We MUST come up with a plan that fits us! We must have Band! I need it! YOU need it! And the KIDS really need it. Figure out a plan that works for you and your group. Whether it is sight-reading or some other plan...If it works for your group, then it is the right choice. But in the end, make sure you have BAND. Your kids deserve it!

If you have questions, or just want to talk band, feel free to reach out! pbaur@camdentonschools.org.

Paul Baur has served as the Camdenton High School Director of Bands since 1996. At Camdenton, he is responsible for two concert bands, two jazz bands, the 205 member "Pride of the Lake" marching band, basketball pep band, beginning low brass, beginning flutes, and assists with the 8th grade band. Mr. Baur received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters of Science in Education from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Mr. Baur is a member of Missouri Bandmasters Association, Missouri Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Phi Beta Mu, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Mr. Baur was the recipient of the 2017 Missouri Band Director of the Year Award, the 2008 Teacher of the Year for the Central District of the Missouri Music Educators Association. In 2001 and 2006 his peers chose him as the Camdenton High School Teacher of the Year. Currently, he is the MMEA Central District Past President.