Page 5 - 2017-BMR-December

“If You Build It, They Will Come”

Roland Sandoval, 2017-18 TBA Treasurer

“If You Build It, They Will Come” …a great adapted line or spend a few minutes with each
from the movie A Field of Dreams. In that movie we learn student even if once a week or
the more time, attention, effort, and thought you apply to once a month. Use technology…a
an idea the more likely it is that something can and will lot…this generation lives it! Play
come of it. Now there are certainly no guarantees but at music and recordings of world
least planting the seed and tending to it increases the odds class musicians, bands, orchestras
that it’ll grow something. So, BUILD away! PLANT away! and jazz ensembles. Show them
We have so many challenges with the academic demands EVERY summer band camp flyer
on our band students. We must be great “farmers” and that is mailed to you. Take them to concerts…MS to HS…
create unique musical crops that our students simply can’t HS to local university or community band. I like the idea of
resist. The more comprehensive program you build (and being like a great college or university program: They offer
plant a variety of musical opportunities) then you increase a great concert band program, marching band program,
the odds of them coming and STAYING. We’ve all been to jazz program that even includes combos, percussion
those farmer’s markets where we think “I want to try that… ensembles, winter guard, woodwind & brass choirs,
and that…and that!” mariachi program, steel drum band, chamber ensembles,
The inverse, however, has more certainty. If you pay no full orchestra (if you do have a string program), musical pit
attention to an idea and make no effort to manifest it, you and they perform, perform, perform.
decrease the odds of it materializing. It does mean extra Students and parents also appreciate a fair, logical,
effort and time if you are by yourself or a fantastic team achievable assessment tool that is clear and allows for
effort from the entire band staff if you work on a team. personal growth and development.
So, what does that look like? Offer as many musical On top of striving for a comprehensive program you
experiences that you can for the individual student then must detail what you can and do offer. For instance,
musician and your ensembles. From the beginner to the a passion for me is to offer a great jazz education for my
senior you want them to have wonderful musical moments students. So, within that genre we teach jazz vocabulary,
that make them feel proud, successful, accomplished, theory, ear training, rhythmic dictation, improvisation,
appreciated and a part of the community they represent. jazz language & symbols, articulations and ensemble skills
Have a plan with short-term and long-term goals. Build pertaining to just jazz. We listen to jazz, show YouTube
something unique to just your program…traditions that recordings of great jazz performances and have guest artists
beginners have, 8th graders do, Seniors serving in a Big and attend jazz festivals…whew…variety!
Brother/Big Sister program etc. Have a focal point for each Where do you get these seeds to plant and build a
grade level. Develop leadership opportunities at all grade great comprehensive band program? That’s where the
levels. Create variety in your daily routines…if your students Texas Bandmasters Association can and should have an
are challenged and thinking in their fundamentals it takes important role in your career and impact the musical lives
the monotony out of routine. Bring in guests/mentors if you of your students. The excellence of Texas Bands comes from
can…even more variety for students and staff. directors sharing their knowledge either at our annual clinic/
Give them opportunities to perform in a variety of convention or at our outreach programs throughout the state
individual and ensemble experiences in class and concerts. and school year. Every July the musical farmer in you should
Beginners to seniors should be exposed to Solo and want to get in your car or a plane and make your way to San
Ensemble, District, Region, All-State auditions, Youth/ Antonio, Texas to pick up your new packet of seeds for the
Community Wind Bands and Orchestras. If you can, feature new school year. “If You Build It, They Will Come.” It is such
small sections or families (WW, Brass, Perc) at concerts an honor for me and my family, Jackie and Nathan Sandoval,
between songs or bands. Have a private lesson program to serve TBA and your band family. See you in July!

Bandmasters Review • December 2017 3 Texas Bandmasters Association