Three Tips for Surviving Marching Season

Three Tips for Surviving Marching Season
by Josh Garoutte

Folks, its busy season in the music world and its crazy busy for all of us out there. Sometimes, in the middle of craziness, we need to be reminded of what we are doing, how to be a bit better, and why, so here's my $.02:

#1: Make a list.

Many times in the heart of marching band season, I (or a student!) would think of something important and write it down for uJse later. Between the extra hours in rehearsal, shopping for the band's meals, requesting purchase orders for those last minute items, or grading assignments, the grind of marching season can take its toll on your ability to be the best educator you can be. If you're anything like me, a few missed hours of sleep can be all the difference between super teacher and physically present mental zombie.

Your lists could involve your daily tasks to complete, things to pack for the trip to the competition, literature ideas for an upcoming program, or just reminders for the students to keep in mind. Taking these items off your mental laundry list can free up time in your crazy Thursday schedule, give you a visual reminder to talk to someone, or just help you unwind and go to sleep at night. Whatever your program, students, or your personal sanity requires, write it down and make it visible.

Speaking of sanity...

#2: Enlist parent and student help!

Students and parents are a frequently un- or under-utilized resource in the band world. Why? Because most teachers are self-reliant, self-supporting go-getters who are used to making great things happen despite difficult circumstances. This drive to succeed is a good thing, and I believe it is a main contributor to the tremendous success that music programs have in educating students, not only in music, but in effective life skills.

If I had to guess, I would venture to say that many of the people reading this article have at one time been used to working alone and with others, but not necessarily used to asking for assistance and leading other people through the task delegation and completion process.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran used to delegation or just starting out with your own program, it is completely normal to feel apprehensive about handing some of your "responsibilities" to others. After all, in what other profession are professionals required to wager the success and future of their careers on the whims and feelings of a bunch of 13-18 year olds! Asking for and receiving help from the parents of said adolescents seems to me like a great way to involve those that have skills and abilities to make your life easier.

Your students and their parents will appreciate your willingness to let them help you in building success in your program. Need a backdrop built? Pants hemmed? Cooks for the meals? You would be surprised how many parents and students will jump at the chance to come up with materials, participate in the process, or help finish the product.

A great example: I needed a set of racks for our pit percussion, and our budget simply didn't have room to make the purchase from a company. Instead, I sent out a mass email and a letter with the kids simply asking for help with a couple of projects. Within the week, I had three parents offering their services to help us out.

The best part: one of my students at the time was, under the supervision and guidance of his father, able to hone his computer skills programming his parent's CNC machine. In addition, the student learned how to powder coat while helping his dad in assembling and finishing our brand new, custom made heavy-duty steel percussion racks. The student and parent got to spend time working together toward a common goal, learning and revisiting skills, and all for the benefit of a band. Sounds like a win-win situation to me!

What this all boils down to is: don't be afraid to ask for help, as it can not only free up mental and physical energy for you as a director, it can also lead to building better relationships with your students and their parents while helping your program.

And finally...

#3: Take care of your people.

I say people, but I really mean YOU. Yes, you---the director sitting at the desk before anyone else in the district is even awake---checking emails and chugging coffee just to be able to stave off the ever present threat of total mental exhaustion. I also mean YOU---the type to roll in just before rehearsal, and stay until your car is the only one in the parking lot and you wonder how "easy teacher hours" must feel. Maybe you're both, depending on the day.

I'm talking to you as well.

You MUST take care of yourself, otherwise that well labeled "Human Resources" will run dry and your health, home life, and program will collapse from sheer exhaustion. This means that you officially have permission to play some video games, take a walk, sit and stare blankly at the wall, eat healthy, binge watch Netflix, enjoy a massage, or destroy a triple cheeseburger, cheese fries, and a milkshake and not feel guilty. Figure out whatever works for you, hit that reset button in your brain, and spend a little time taking care of the director. After all, without the director, who will lead the students, focus the seemingly unlimited energy of the parents, and make sure that music changes lives each day?

That's right---your responsibilities to others are great and numerous, but your responsibilities to yourself make the importance of your work possible. Now take a moment, breathe, and get back to work--you can do it!

Josh Garoutte Educational Representative - Palen Music Center, Springfield, MO joshg@palenmusic.com   A native of southwest Missouri, Josh Garoutte attended Missouri State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Educational Administration degrees in 2006 and 2014 respectively. Mr. Garoutte taught in Missouri public schools for 8 years, the last 7 of which were with Spokane R-VII Schools, where he was responsible for all aspects of instrumental music as Director of Bands and also served as the District A+ Program Coordinator. In his time teaching, Josh was honored to be a faculty member of two Missouri Gold Star Schools, a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School, and has served as an adjudicator, clinician, arranger, private lesson instructor, and drill writer for bands in the area. His professional association affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Missouri Bandmasters Association, National Education Association, Missouri State Teachers Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. Josh currently resides in Ozark, MO with his wife Ashley and their son, Rhys.