Region Band Auditions

We hosted the Region 3 Band Auditions today. There were about 2200 students that made their way through our doors. Things were set up physically Friday afternoon and evening but many hours of preparation went into it long before that. Ever;y audition room had to have a page to sign the auditionee in and then a monitor to help with the audition process in the room. This is alto of people. Things went very well. The only problems were with things out of our control. First, the school decided Saturday would be a good day to add another coat of varnish to the gym floor. Not a good idea. This resulted in heavy fumes being dispersed through out the building all day. Not very good planning since region band auditions have been scheduled for about 12 months. Then the network did print the results so all the results had to be saved to a flash drive and then individually printed. This took more time and effort than it should have. Then the heat or lack there of. Some rooms just didn't have heat. Although all of these problems were well beyond my control, I still feel somewhat embarrassed that they occurred.

Now for some good stuff. The band booster club performed very well and that is the way it should work. Things were taken care of and I could do the things I needed to do. Mr. Apple was a great help to me. It was nice to have somebody to help me with things I needed. And finally Howard, our worker, he was absolutely great. He kept up with everything and anything that came up through out the day.
As for results of our students, we may have as many as 20 students in region band from the high school. We also have several students that have moved on to the next audition for all-state band which will happen in two weeks. I am very pleased that we have students that had never made region before that will be placed in the band. It is no secret that we have had major problems with the feeder program and that problem will continue to affect that total program for years but I do finally see hope in this situation. We may be developing a team that has common goals and want to work with me instead of against. So although the number of students DF high has in region and perhaps all-state this year is not the most ever, it is good to hold our own while we get through a tough time.

Just give me a chance because none of you have seen the best I have to offer yet. I did not know getting into this job how much needed to be done but I enjoy challenges and I am certainly capable doing what it necessary to make DF the jewel of the midlands with regards to band. Just trust me, help me, and support me but most of all.. get to work. We need more help from parents and students alike. Students don't stop practicing. If you accomplished your goal, keep working and stay in habit of practicing. If you didn't get what you wanted, get it. Don't give up. Things that are hard are worth the work for the reward. I saw some new parents working with us Saturday. I want to see more of you.