Reviving a Small School Program

Panama -- Yes, it's the name of a pretty good rock song. No, it's not in the country where the famous canal is located. It's a very small Oklahoma town stuck between Ft. Smith and Poteau.

I don't know how it happened. Maybe it was determined administrators, divine providence (I think so), or maybe having a huge soft spot for the rural school in my old stomping grounds, but after being retired for nearly 2 decades and in the middle of dealing with my parents failing health...I took the job! Or did it take me?? After 7 band directors in 9 years, I walked into a band room of 25 students, and judging by their faces, this wasn't going to be easy. Fortunately, being old had given me a lot of experience.

Now four years later, it has been a wonderful ride. Tiring on these old bones? YEP. Feeling that I might be making a difference? ABSOLUTELY. Frustrating? Sometimes. Challenging? EVERY DAY. But totally worth it! And here's how I pulled it off:

1. Give your students a sense of stability as quickly as possible. My mom passed away a month after school started. When the principal walked into class to tell them, one blurted out, "Is she gonna leave us too, now that her mom's gone?" They need to know that you are jumping in with both feet. Kids aren't stupid; give them security. Many of them don't have it at home.
2. Get on the good side of your Booster Club. I was lucky; through several rough years, they continued to raise money. Let them do their job because you will NOT want to. Just don't be passive; make a wish list, keep it current, ask politely for what you need, but be firm. It's your program now, but smile when you say that.
3. Start rental meetings. When I mentioned my (first) rental meeting, I thought my principal and boosters were going to pass out. But I never knew anything different! Every school I had taught at, we had rental meetings. And I just wasn't going to change. Parents and students should be responsible for an instrument. It's about priorities and taking ownership of their future. If they can afford new cleats, shoulder pads and helmet every year for peewee football, they can afford a horn that could last their child's entire playing career. Yes, I do have a few instruments that I loan out because some parents can't afford it and I don't want to lose that child.
4. Get to know your people. The thing I love most about my small school is that I know EVERYONE. If I take the time to know the grade school teachers, they will encourage their students to try band, and stay in. The middle school and high school teachers will help my kids keep their grades up. I joke around with my support staff, so they'll be willing to fix my toilet, leaky roof, and have buses and drivers ready for school events. I make an effort to say nice things to the cafeteria ladies so when the times comes, they are eager to prepare meals early for band kids. Don't lock yourself up in the band room all day. Get to know your people and find common interests. Around here lately it's all about hunting deer and hogs. I really do hate hogs.
5. Rome wasn't built in a day. If you must wait until your second or third year to start competing at contests, that's okay. I did. Don't embarrass the kids, don't frustrate yourself. Let them mature musically and physically before competing at the larger contests. Don't expect Superior ratings at first, because if you do and you fail, the students feel they have failed you. I'm in my fourth year and it was time to give them their first taste of success, and it changed their world!! But we're still not there. We have got a long way to go. What I have gotten is a growing program whose young kids and community are excited about BAND!
6. Make good choices. Choose music that fits your bands' strengths. It's okay to pick easy music, easy drill, easy pep songs that fit the talent of your students. A bad sound does NOT do you any favors. For example: find a Star-Spangled Banner arrangement that works for your band, because EVERYONE knows it. Make it as beautiful as it can be.
7. Make the students participate. Nearly 80% of the kids had never helped in raising money for their spring trips. The boosters had been paying the entire amount for every student, regardless of their participation. That stopped. We now document every event, whether it's a car wash, a dance, or parents working the concession stand. If they don't work, they either have to pay, or don't go. Stop the cycle.
8. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I am so lucky to have a lot of old friends! As a young woman in a man's world many years ago, I learned fast to ask men questions. I hung around with the best, and I gleaned a LOT of good information. For example: the "Podium Rule" by Steve Campbell. Off the podium, they can talk, and you can talk leisurely. When you step onto the podium, it's all business and NO talking. Don't let your pride get in the way; listen to the people you admire. And use the OBA Facebook page to ask stupid questions -- I do!
9. Read the board! EVERYTHING IS ON THE BOARD. So, when they ask, "what time are we leaving?" I just point (Refer to #11). It cuts down tremendously on wasted time. Plus, with so many split homes, I will have the kids take a picture of the board and send it to BOTH sets of parents. And I'll post it on GroupMe. Yes, this old mare learned how to do GroupMe! Thanks to the kids, of course!
10. Be positive!! Nothing ruins a band program more than a disgruntled director. My job is not perfect; I have a horrible excuse for a band room with a very leaky roof, an AC that can't keep up during Summer Band Camp, very little storage space; the list goes on. If I am always negative, the kids will mirror that attitude. YOUR personality truly defines your destiny. YOUR PROGRAM WILL NOT GROW if you are ineffective. And as Dr. Lautzenheiser says, always end your rehearsals on a positive note, even if it's "I sure like your new haircut" to the last chair flute player!
11. Above all else -- PLAY! Nothing is worse than you talking during class time. Not your students..YOU! Dr. Buzzy Green would come into my Western Oaks band room and using his stopwatch, TIME my playing vs. talking. It changed my rehearsals forever. Nothing makes better players than playing. Repetition, sight reading; it doesn't matter. Shut up and let them play!!