THANKLESS TASK
Thankless Band Director Task
- Fill in all required fields.
- List your thankless task in the assigned text field.
- Your task does not have to be stand related. It can be any task you do that goes unnoticed (Do you lug the uniforms to the cleaners? How about cleaning up after your band?).
- Once you submit your taks, we'll review it and post it with your first name and last initial. We will not post your full name or school name. We don't want you to have any issues with your administrators.
The Thankless Band Director task contest is a way for you to let off a little steam and have a chance to win Hamilton Symphonic stands for your bandroom.
Here's how it works:
Good luck!
Enter your Thankless Task!
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Thankless Task Entries:
"Spending a weekend every quarter tightening all my stands. Some would begin to wobble almost as soon as I tightened them. We actually gave some to the shop class to weld the bottoms together. My advice on that is – don’t do that. Anyway, it was a weekend day out of my life each semester and sometimes more that no one knows about. The worst part is after a few days in the band room it was as if I’d never tightened them. A lost Saturday…every quarter."
Michael D. - Middle School Teacher - NY
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"I'm in my 6th year as band director at a small Catholic University in Iowa that has one of the dirtiest/filthiest/unkempt theater backstage areas I have ever seen in my 24 years of teaching. Every time I have a dress rehearsal, performance or guest ensemble in the hall, I have to clean up the performance area so that the space is usable by whatever ensemble needs the space (the space is also full of safety and fire hazards!) Last week I had a guest high school band that was coming to use the hall and the stage was still filthy with dirt, trash, etc. leftover from our Christmas performance. There were even pine needles from the wreaths/garland from our Christmas Concert on the stage that had been there for over a month. My secretary and I spent an hour sweeping the stage and attempted to make the performance area presentable for our guests (potential future students) who were playing a concert that evening. I'm to the point where this happens so frequently that I have given up trying to remedy the situation and just do the work to solve the problem (can you believe I'm the chair of the department?). I got my PhD in music education ten years ago and often joke to myself when dealing with tasks such as these...PHD really does mean "Piled Higher and Deeper"!! Thanks for the opportunity to VENT!!! :-) gb"
Gene B. - College Educator - IA
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"Serving as a music store for supplies since the nearest one is 50 miles away! "
William F. - Middle School Teacher - VA
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"A THANKLESS TASK WE KNOW Cleaning and repairing instruments are a thankless task we know Staining a shirt or tie with valve and slide oil we show, 'Busting' a knuckle or two, to remove a mouthpiece we must; Or pulling a slide that is all corroded and covered by rust. Replacing a valve string is a relief - it can't be denied In repairing that horn I am 'fit to be tied' A task that must be repeated o'er and o'er Makes me think ' I just can't take it no more Whether repairing woodwind or brass or percussion we note 'It's part of the job' - my professor I quote But alas, the sweet sounds of the music once more Helps me forget about that thankless little chore! Through each little task no matter how small I hope you won't find yourself climbing the wall But rather relax and be glad for each right note Then I hope that my little poem will get your vote! "
Allen H. - Middle School Teacher - VA
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"I hate the photocopier. Did you make 5 extra of that worksheet you handed out yesterday? Do you have 37 extra alto clarinet scale sheets? What, you didn't print them the first time? No, Snare Drums, I don't have 3 copies of your winter drumline show. Yes, I'll make the copies, I'm too scared to give you the masters. What's that? You need another calendar? The ones I mailed to your house, posted on the web and hung in the band room didn't take care of you? No, I'd love to make another set of All-State band audition music for you trombone player. "
Charles M. - High School Teacher - MO
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"I will try to focus on only one... I love teaching kids music = best job on the planet! I love their hugs and hellos, and how excited they get when they play well! What I hate is the time involved in organizing music for them! I normally keep the music in stacks of what we have chosen to perform for the forgetful ones who say, "I Forgot My Music Today," or "I Lost It Again," or the shoddy music with the ripped and abused accordion look that the kids don't keep neatly in their folder but pulled from the bottom of their backpack and half folded into a paper airplane, "My Dog Ate It," or the two kids sharing a stand in the same section point at each other and say, "I didn't bring it because I read off of her music." Worse yet, just before we walk onstage for a concert, "Mr. M, I don't have my music!" ...Yep, I love the kids but I hate the eternal music maintenance! "
Chris M. - Middle School Teacher - WA
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"My students perform countless gigs and shows to gain exposure in the community. I spend hours and hours organizing these events, and I am present at every single one, yet never receieve so much as a "thank you" for all my efforts. Thanks to all the phone calls, meetings, and conferences, my students have begun making a name for themselves. But I know when they've gone on to stardom, they won't remember that it was me who gave them the head start in the first place! "
Steven M. - High School Teacher - FL
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Thankless Task Contest - Please fill out all fields.
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