DON'Ts & DOs for New Directors

As a young director (or even one with a few years of experience), moving into a new job at a school with an established program can be an exciting, but, at the same time, scary proposition. Following a director who is beloved by the students and community only increases the potential for issues to arise. After eight years of teaching, I had the opportunity to move to a program that had just such a scenario. Looking back on the first couple of years of that experience, I wish I had asked more questions and sought out advice from colleagues and mentors. Going into that position with some experience, I had some preset ideas of changes I wanted to implement. But still being young and eager to get the ball rolling, I believe I created more problems for myself those first couple of years than positive changes.

With that experience in mind, and having had the opportunity these past several years of working for PMC and visiting new band directors on a weekly basis, I believe there are some definite DOs and DON'Ts for any director walking into that new position. I've called on my colleagues and fellow Ed Reps for their sage advice and below is a summary of their observations:

DON'T come in with grandiose ideas of all the changes you want to make, but DO evaluate everything that first year and make plans to slowly implement changes that need to happen. Many students, parents, and community members will be resistant to change, so don't pick 'hills to die on' those first couple of years.

DON'T ignore established traditions, but DO begin to formulate ideas about traditions you would like to start. Find out what has been the norm in regard to performances, competitions, and other events that the band program has done in the past and don't try to change these immediately.

DON'T overshoot in your musical selections that first year, but DO make the music you select appropriate and fun for students. You want to develop a culture of success and trust, so make sure you pick music that is well within their ability to perform technically and musically. Err on the side of too easy.

DON'T turn a deaf ear to the comments and concerns of students and parents, but DO listen with empathy and respond with kindness as you development their trust. These two quotes are from Matt Carmichael, Ed Rep in our Springfield store:

DON'T try to go it alone, but DO lean on your mentors and colleagues for feedback and advise. The old saying, "No Man Is an Island" is definitely applicable for new directors (and old). All of us have respected mentors and friends whose advise we can trust. Don't forget your Educational Representatives, who have experience with your program and in most cases are former band directors. If you don't have these relationships, then begin to develop them.

DON'T ignore or make adversaries of your staff, counselors, and administration, but DO work to establish good relationships and make them your allies. Engaging in power struggles with colleagues will most likely result in more hardships that successes. Be a positive advocate for your program and work hard to bring them over to your side.

DON'T try to be the new Mr. or Mrs. Smith, but DO strive to be the best version of you for your students. Most of all, don't try to be somebody else, be yourself. Each of us is gifted with a unique personality. Constantly comparing yourself to the previous director, or other accomplished directors you know, can be counterproductive if we approach it in the wrong way. Growing personally and professionally is always a priority, but do it with the talents and abilities that you have been blessed with. BE YOURSELF!

If you are in that first couple of years or just preparing to move into a new position, I hope these thoughts are helpful. A great resource that was suggested to me is a book entitled, "So...You're the New Band Director: Now What?" by Phillip Wise. Click HERE for more resources.

Rob Goade grew up in Granby, Missouri and attended East Newton High School. He holds Music Education degrees from Southwest Baptist University and Central Missouri State University (now UCM). Rob taught instrumental and vocal music for thirty-one years in Missouri schools. He served as Band Director grades 5-12 in the Morgan County R-2 School District, Versailles from 1977-1979, High School Band and Vocal Director in the East Newton School District, Granby from 1979-1985, and Band Director grades 5-12 in the Boone County R-6 School District, Centralia from 1985-2009. After retirement in 2009, he served as a part-time instrumental music teacher in the Columbia, Mo school district and has remained active as a clinician and adjudicator in the northern Missouri area. He is currently working part-time as an educational consultant for Palen Music Center in the Kansas City area.