Count Down To Success!

South Carolina Band Directors Association

SCBDA "Team Members"

"The Power of Observation"

Things We Can Learn From A Dog

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout . . . run right back and make friends.

observation \Ob`ser*va"tion\, n. 1. The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything. 2. The result of an act, or of acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment.

What can I say? For those in attendance at the March 13, All-State Meeting, it was my intention to relate to you several observations that I have made during my two years as the SCBDA President. Unfortunately, when the time came to deliver my last message to you the emotions were running too high for me to express myself. I hope that some of the following comments will relate to you the vision I have for this association.

Commendations

Dedication To The Cause Consider the hours we work and the weekends we devote to the children of this state! We give more time to our students than anyone; more than the coaches, administrators, or classroom teachers. Where can you find the "Best Kids on the Campus?" . . . . . Hanging out in the Band Room! We as directors teach much more than music. We also provide a positive environment that fosters a sense of family. We teach values that these adolescents will carry with them throughout their adult lives. The "Trench Coat Mafia" does not exist in the band room!

Music Education - It is "Happening" In South Carolina We should really be proud of all we have accomplished. The quality of our programs is improving rapidly. We are also experiencing record levels of participation in every SCBDA event. Unlike many areas in this country, our band programs are not in danger of being cut or phased out. In fact, many programs are adding additional staff members because of increased student involvement. In addition to the local success, we now have bands representing us all over the world. Many of our programs are recognized among the nations best. We are no longer known as only a "Marching Band" state! Instrumental music is thriving in South Carolina.

Public Relations We are beginning to understand the "necessity" of Public Relations. The perception the world has of Band Directors and of Instrumental Music Education will never change until each of us truly embraces the concept of self promotion. The SCBDA has made tremendous strides in this area in the past several years. Consider the development of our logo and slogan, "Music Is Instrumental To Success!" The "Band Counts!" campaign is also helping to bring the entire Band Family back together. This database is growing steadily and will someday possibly link everyone that shares the "Vision;" music education is "Life Long." The statewide newspaper campaigns we conducted before the Marching Championships have generated literally hundreds of articles and helped keep us in the public eye. Another wonderful opportunity will occur this summer with the statewide airing of our All-State Band Concerts over Public Radio.

Recommendations

"Share the Vision!" Music is "Life Long!" Instrumental Music Education begins when we put the instrument in a child’s hand and it should continue throughout their life. Our association needs to work to develop opportunities for everyone, young and old. How many of our students do not continue playing while in college? Are there enough Community Bands available for these musicians to continue during their adult lives? Can an adult with no previous musical experience find a place to learn? These beginners we recruit go on to become musicians (both amateur and professional), audiences for future performers, parents of the next generation of musicians, and supporters of music as voters, taxpayers, and government representatives.
Communication There are wonderful things happening in our state. We have many great teachers that would be happy to share their experiences but most of us just don’t ask. Why are we willing to sit and "recreate the wheel" when we would all benefit from an exchange of ideas? How many of us don’t attain the performance level we hope, but will not ask anyone for advice? Most of us will not attend the performances of our colleagues. Since we know that most learning comes through observation, why don’t we take full advantage of our opportunities? Do we invite others into our rooms to benefit from a "second set of ears?" Our college and university music faculties are exceptional. Many outstanding experts live only miles from our schools, but they will not enter your school unless you ask? If we truly "Share The Vision" then we don’t have any secrets to hide. Helping each other become better "Music Educators" does not mean "giving the trophy away!"

Public Relations This is without a doubt the most neglected area of our individual programs. Most of us are content to wait until someone will notice what we are doing. Waiting for someone to notice will not recruit students to the program, secure an equipment budget, build rehearsal and performance facilities, or get you a pay raise. Does your Booster Club have a highly motivated Public Relations Chairman? Do you advertise your performances? Do you invite everyone to your concerts? Do you send written invitations to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members? Has your program had a picture in the local newspaper recently? If you play a magnificent concert to an empty auditorium, who cares? How many of your students go on to college? How many of your students receive scholarships? How many of your students score well on standardized tests, like the SAT? How many of your students do other things in the school and community because of the success they have had in the band program? Does anyone really know what happens in the band room?

Compensation We work long and hard in this mysterious occupation, but most of us are not fairly compensated. As President of the SCBDA I receive requests for salary information several times per year from directors and principals trying to get their pay scales "In Line" with everyone else. What often happens is that we are compared to other directors in the state when attempting to establish our "value" or "worth." What is our "worth" to the students we serve? Research is proving what we have known all along; that music education is of major importance to the development of the brain and its function. With that in mind, our job becomes vitally important to the educational process. If we want to improve those, often referred to, SAT scores then we need to make our "value" known. I firmly believe that we are the biggest bargain in education. What should we as professional educators do to improve ourselves? First, start a diary or log book of your music activities. Keep accurate records of every minute you spend in service to your students and the band program. Break your list into actual instruction time, preparation time, public relations time, organizational time (Booster Club Meetings too), fund raising time, professional development (so that you will become a better teacher), etc. Also record the number of days you work more than 10 hours. Create a record of all performances given by your students; concerts, parades, sporting events, church performances by individual students (they developed their talents in your classroom), etc. Determine to the penny what the efforts of you, your students, and booster organization bring to the program beyond the funds provided by the school district. When you have gathered at least a year’s information, then develop a profile of what you do for your school and community. DO NOT attach a dollar figure to your request. Simply show what you do and have the School Board assess your "Worth" to the district. Is your "Worth" to the school and community equal to or greater than that of other teachers or coaches? What is the "Primary Mission" of your school? For example; the Mission Statement of Lugoff-Elgin High School is as follows: "The mission of Lugoff-Elgin High School, a safe environment where individual differences are respected, is to prepare all students to be positive, contributing citizens by providing challenging, innovative educational experiences." A year long effort in the band program far exceeds the goals stated in the mission statement for a greater number of students than any other class or activity. Should we be compensated for our time? Do we make a difference to the school and community? Do our students take the "values" they learn in the band room to other academic environments? Are the scientific findings relating music performance to brain function clearly demonstrated in your school every year? These obviously rhetorical questions are the foundation for our request. Are we and our programs "Valued" as much as other members of the faculty? If so, let the School Board announce that publicly when they develop their Salary Schedule.

My two year term as the SCBDA President has been the most memorable experience of my life. It was a position that I sought because I had hoped to repay this association for all the wonderful experiences that it has provided my students and for the impact those experiences have had on my career. I truly believe in the "Value" of what we do and of the importance of this association. We are blessed to work in a profession with such wonderful people. I will always remain a servant to this association and its members.

And now, just as Phil McIntyre passed the gavel on to me, I now pass the honor and responsibility on to my very good friend, Robert Wertz. I am sure that we will continue to grow and improve as we follow his leadership into the next century!

Let’s "BAND" together! We do make a difference because "Music Is Instrumental To Success!"

Glenn C. Price, President
South Carolina Band Directors Association