5 answers
Riley
Student
North, VA
1
Question
Updated
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What can I do as a middle schooler (almost high schooler) who wants to be a band director?
I am a middle schooler going into high school soon. I would greatly appreciate advice on band directing and teaching music. Also, a few fun facts : I play flute currently, and one day I would like to learn violin. #music
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5 answers
Achyutha Rao
2
Answers
Updated
Achyutha’s Answer
Hi ! Hope you are doing good!!
Myself being a musician for more than 3 decades, all I can tell you is to first learn the art of music in the maximum possible depth and not just get into the world of fame and name without even achieving the basic essentials of being a musician.
You have mentioned that you currently play flute - thats very good. Go on to learn the flute by having a classical flautist as your guru and learn flute playing to the maximum possible depth. Also, you can learn similarly the art of Violin playing (since you love that) - but again, i would tell you to first master one instrument before embarking on the next one.
Once you have a great amount of knowledge as an instrumental musician, make your ventures into learning the art of composing techniques either thru enrolling to a professional sound engineering course or learning from a guru who has mastered the recording/arranging/programming/synthesizing techniques.
I would recommend this to be the most powerful combo - that of being himself a musician and a composter with sound recording techniques.
Once you are in the realm of both these worlds, am sure there will be no looking back in your life. Success is all yours. Be a band director or a music teacher..your knowledge levels will be sufficient to chose whichever you feel perfect at that time in your life!!
Myself being a musician for more than 3 decades, all I can tell you is to first learn the art of music in the maximum possible depth and not just get into the world of fame and name without even achieving the basic essentials of being a musician.
You have mentioned that you currently play flute - thats very good. Go on to learn the flute by having a classical flautist as your guru and learn flute playing to the maximum possible depth. Also, you can learn similarly the art of Violin playing (since you love that) - but again, i would tell you to first master one instrument before embarking on the next one.
Once you have a great amount of knowledge as an instrumental musician, make your ventures into learning the art of composing techniques either thru enrolling to a professional sound engineering course or learning from a guru who has mastered the recording/arranging/programming/synthesizing techniques.
I would recommend this to be the most powerful combo - that of being himself a musician and a composter with sound recording techniques.
Once you are in the realm of both these worlds, am sure there will be no looking back in your life. Success is all yours. Be a band director or a music teacher..your knowledge levels will be sufficient to chose whichever you feel perfect at that time in your life!!
Lisa Famularo
Career Coach
16
Answers
Hartford, Connecticut
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Hi Riley! I am not a band director currently, but I was very involved in music when I was in middle and high school. Like you mentioned in your post, I think it would be great for you to start to learn other instruments, especially some that are significantly different from the flute. As a band director, you don't need to know how to play every instrument that is part of the band, but playing multiple can be helpful when you are trying to give feedback to students who play different instruments.
Also, you could consider ways to get involved in music outside of school. For example, I became a camp counselor at a music camp when I was in high school and taught viola (my instrument) to elementary school kids. I also had some friends who provided private lessons to elementary school children. I hope these ideas are helpful!
Also, you could consider ways to get involved in music outside of school. For example, I became a camp counselor at a music camp when I was in high school and taught viola (my instrument) to elementary school kids. I also had some friends who provided private lessons to elementary school children. I hope these ideas are helpful!
Jeremy Daniels
Networks Engineer Intern
3
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Jeremy’s Answer
Hi Riley,
I am not a band director, but I was heavily involved in marching band, wind ensemble, and other branches in the band for middle and high school. Besides honing the skills of your own instrument, I would suggest trying to learn more about basic music theory. I played euphonium (treble clef) through high school and had to learn how to transpose for the people in my section who played bass clef. Through that I learned so much about treble clef instruments and bass clef instruments. I took AP Music Theory in high school and learned how to recognize chord progressions and basic compositions. Before starting Violin I would suggest Piano, this is the basis for much of what you'll learn as a band director.
Best Regards,
Jeremy
I am not a band director, but I was heavily involved in marching band, wind ensemble, and other branches in the band for middle and high school. Besides honing the skills of your own instrument, I would suggest trying to learn more about basic music theory. I played euphonium (treble clef) through high school and had to learn how to transpose for the people in my section who played bass clef. Through that I learned so much about treble clef instruments and bass clef instruments. I took AP Music Theory in high school and learned how to recognize chord progressions and basic compositions. Before starting Violin I would suggest Piano, this is the basis for much of what you'll learn as a band director.
Best Regards,
Jeremy
Daniel Cantor
Music Producer/Composer and studio owner at NOTABLE PRODUCTIONS. Music Educator
7
Answers
Weston, Massachusetts
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
I am not a band director but I have been a music director and concert music producer and album producer. All those require organization, focus on goals, working with diverse and artistic people. Learning to be a good person who can inspire people to action is a big part of it. Also Lisa is right! Learn a handful of instruments. Most of my friends who are band directors can play most of the instruments competently and do well at reading scores. They understnad the music and how to conduct a group to push and pull them through the piece with dynamics and the right tempos. They learn to dissect the music and break down the sections into playable parts to rehearse the band.
My elementary music teacher was a huge influence on my career! I would say tell your band director that you want to learn and help them. Ask if you can become the assistant and ask them what would help them concentrate on the music. It will likely start with organizing the parts and counting them before and after rehearsals. I would also learn to conduct.
Learn about leadership and how to motivating children is also on the list!
Good luck!
My elementary music teacher was a huge influence on my career! I would say tell your band director that you want to learn and help them. Ask if you can become the assistant and ask them what would help them concentrate on the music. It will likely start with organizing the parts and counting them before and after rehearsals. I would also learn to conduct.
Learn about leadership and how to motivating children is also on the list!
Good luck!
Ragon Linde, PE
Sr Manager - Network Assurance
10
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Ragon’s Answer
Band Directors are such awesome and special teachers! Participate in your schools music activities as much as you can. Learn to be very organized. It can be a challenging job but the positive impact you will have on others is worth it!!