Not to bum you out with a dose of reality or anything, but that's how it works for the person in charge. The director calls the shots. That's why they're called directors. They direct. Let's look that up...



Note that doesn't say "to ask subordinates what they want to do and act accordingly". Of course, he could solicit your input, but if his mind is already made up, why bother giving you a false impression that you've got any input in this case?

If you want to handle this in a positive manner, work to find solutions that are acceptable to you and him. Orange tape, maybe? Making a big deal out of something like the color of your sticks or staging some sort of mutiny could come awfully close to looking like a tantrum.

Of all the things you could possibly be upset about, you choose the painting of sticks? If you were my student I would have already shown you the door.

Jesus, this thread still exists?

As an update:

Our director has given up on it as a hopeless cause, especially after I took off the orange tape that he had put on the snare sticks(our tape but without telling us) and put on white electrical tape and double taped it.

It may sound hmm, what's the word? Arrogant? Rebellious?

You can use those words if you want...

At Cadet311: He's threatened me with (several times) it but he won't make a move... When I asked to drop band when he said that he told me no that I couldnt.... Needless to say I was confused...

I must agree with warboy that this topic is, for the most part dead... I second the notion to close


Thanks for all the replies,

baseman_matt
~your friend in Andalusia, AL

That was a pretty dog move man.

Your band director knows more about band than you probably ever will. You should have respected him and gone with it. I guess maybe in a few years when you get a reaql you might figure it out.

the TLDR version:
grow a pair and get over it. Respect is cool yo.

I wish I could remember how many times I've considered emailing your band director a link to this page, so he could weigh in.

Until you start teaching, you have no idea how much think-they-know-it-all students get on an instructor's nerves.

One day, you will grow up, look back at this, and think abut how childishly you handled the whole situation.

If you're looking for a word to describe it, try asinine.

Your original problem was that the sticks were to be painted, yet when he settled for taping them orange instead, somehow it is still a crisis to you. I feel like I'm missing something.

my percussion instructor performed in that show lol. 5th bass dave jackson

I guess I just have different experiences but for all those who been saying this director knows more then this student. I really can't figure out how you know that. First, just because he is the band director doesn't mean he knows what he's doing. I worked with many incompetent band directors in my time. And some I do respect personally but have had absolutely no idea on how to run the band. And yes the students know he has no idea what he is doing. I know more then my fair share of egotistical directors that make poor decisions that effect the band. So to all those that are telling this kid to shut up he knows more then you, find a new argument. you don't know the details about this guy. if you go through life sucking it up and not standing up for a matter of principle the so be it. but that's not everybody. I can't imagine not standing up for a matter of principle. sorry this isn't meant to flame anybody. But I have a director now who consistently tells the pit to watch the drum major and NOT to listen back to the battery. he actually tells the band to not listen to the battery and has stopped the battery from playing so the band doesn't listen to them.. Yet wonders why nothing lines up. that's just an example.

Now its HIS sticks. He has a right to not paint them. whether he has 18 pair or 1, whether he can afford more or not. That is not the point. It is his property. What if he told the trumpet players to paint their bells orange? I have to agree with the Matt in this matter.

I also disagree with it being "his" band. its not. Its the students band. He as been appointed by the school district to be in charge of it. Without the students, there is no band, without the commitment and desire of the students to be involved, the band will fail. Yes its true the design of the program is his. But if directors/instructors explain and discuss some decisions that upset the balance of the band, things run smooth in the end.

Lastly it does sound like he tried to compromise with the guy. The director wanted it his way only. So from the information I have at hand it does sound like Matt was trying at least. Maybe more could have been done but a step was made. And in the end the director lost out. It's sad it had to end that way.

If he wanted them painted. he should budget for them plain and simple. As some people said they are only 8 bucks. A small fundraiser can pay for them.

As I said I don't mean to come off flaming anybody. I have had many many experiences where I had to stand up for myself of something small. the end result always was more positive. in fact those directors/teachers/bosses respected me more. to me that was the life lesson.

I only want to chime in from a logistical standpoint:

You as students must buy your own sticks for the line?

What happens if you break/lose or your sticks are stolen? Do you just not play? Is that OK by your band director and or instructor?

Do you pay a fee/dues to do marching band? Shouldn't that fee cover incidental supplies like sticks/mallets? I know it does where I teach...

In addition, you have never mentioned why (from a possible design standpoint) the director wanted the sticks painted? Was it to fit the show, a theme, what?

I am curious, because this sounds like only part of the story is being told.

NL

Just a quick answer I can provide. The student stated the band director wanted the sticks painted so they would stick out.


To the student: You crossed the line for me to support you any farther. From the sounds of it, your director offered to compromise with you by only having you tape the sticks. You even suggested this to your BD. I'm just using logical reasoning here but I'm assuming seeing how your BD taped your sticks that he said it would be ok to just tape the sticks. Why did you not do that? There is no reason to object to taping your sticks orange. It's not permanent and you haven't given any reasons against it, in fact you suggested it. What you did was just stupid and contradictory to your effort.