I was recently asked to speak at a luncheon honoring a colleague who’s a middle school band director. I came up with The Ron Drotos Method Book For Being a Successful Middle School Band Director. Here it is, along with the hypothetical teacher’s handwritten ‘notes’, written in the margins:
Lesson #1: Come to work each day ready to share your love of music with the whole world.
Note to self: Order replacement instrument for the kid who lost her tuba.
Lesson #2: Produce impressive results with all students, even those who have never seen a band instrument before.
Note to self: Remind flute section that whoever doesn’t practice will make an appearance on The Weakest Link.
Lesson #3: Plan amazing concerts full of fun and varied pieces.
Note to self: Pull trumpet plunger mute out of upstairs toilet.
Lesson #4: Enjoy yourself, even when things get crazy.
Note to self: Isn’t it amazing that spitballs can find their way through the length of a French Horn’s tubing?
Lesson #5: Instill a love of and appreciation for music that your students will carry with them for their entire lives!
Let’s give 3 cheers to all the music teachers who work tirelessly to keep music alive in our world!!!
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Love it, Ron!
Thanks!
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