Well a crappy instructor is better than no instructor, but if he's going to show up late and call the line the least disciplined he's worked with, he has no right to do that. If he can't be there on time or provide an explanation to the students or say to them that he will be late to every rehearsal, to me that shows he isn't disciplined and if you're not disciplined, how can you expect students to be? Lead by example.

As far as the phone numbers thing, I teach many of the students in my line privately, so its more than a rehearsal issue. Every parent gave them to me to keep open lines about lessons and cancellations and such.

It is a good point about numbers, though. Then again, if you're professional enough (or have common sense), you'll never put yourself in a remotely jeopardizing situation of any kind.

Nonetheless, there's no reason not to have staff phone numbers.

True, and I agree with you as well. But as Dragon was saying, Just trying to look at both sides of the story.

And staff numbers I have, like band directors, but right now I am the only Perc person at one school, and 1 of 2 at another. And I am professional enough, but with everything that has been going on and still being SOMEWHAT young. . . With what has happened in the past few months here in my state, I'm not willing to take that chance.

If I were to give lessons as you do, then that would be different. I do always have access to home numbers though, just in case I do ever need to get in contact with the member or their parents. But yes staff members numbers are always a must.


But I have agreed with everything you have stated, not looking to cause any problems, just trying to look at things from the other side!

Well, if he started out being late, then we have a problem.

But if he was doing his job and the kids were screwing up and being the least disciplined line he has ever taught, making him not feel welcomed or respected, then thats where my side of the argument comes into play.

I would say the best thing to do is prove him wrong with actions. Be warmed up when he gets there, soak up music and drill like a sponge (I'm not saying the time frames you're given are really enough, but it's possible to learn a show very quickly if not perfectly if you have the right mindset). If you take initiative, you'll leave no room for criticism. I bet if your line DISPLAYS the professionalism you seek, you'll get it. =0

Let me chime in on this... Not only is this "tech" one of the most respected people in the WGI/Indoor activity, but he also sits on the WGI Board of Directors, the WGI Steering Committee and holds a full time job in the music industry. If he was late it was because he has a "real job." Showing up to rehearsal without music learned, without drill books, without music, and then complaining about it IS complete lack of discipline. Talking back to an instructor IS complete lack of discipline. Learning drill two days before a show is not abnormal. I have seen groups where the staff set new drill and made major music changes ON THE DAY OF FINALS. They were still succesful. Quit whining about how hard the staff is, and show up to rehearsal prepared. Success comes when PREPARATION meets OPPORTUNITY.

Are you the person they're referring to? I ask because that is the only way you could be making excuses for lateness.

The group didn't have the music learned because the instructor never got it to them in a timely fashion... and because of that, the students have a lack of discipline?

Please, explain your logic, especially when an instructor's lack of timely preparation is the result of the student's lack of timely preparation.

I am not the person they are referring to.

I am, however, the head percussion director. I am the person that had to deal with them not having set books, not having music, not being prepared at rehearsal. I am the person that had to deal with their poor behavior ON and OFF the court. I am the person that had to deal with the transportation department after they trashed a bus on the way home from a competition. I am the person that had to rally this group from mediocrity to a 3rd consecutive state championship. This "tech" they speak of was hired by me and reported to me, not to the students. The students complaints of this tech being late are unjustified. They don't know the full situation nor do they need to know. They should be gratefull that they had a staff at all. Some groups have none.

I agree, we have none, even though we made superior ratings

Indeed, they should be grateful to have a staff. However, if your staff is creating feelings of animosity and discontent as mentioned in this thread, then you might want to reconsider your staff. At the same time, if they're having issues getting materials done in timely fashion, as you've indicated, you might want to reconsider your staff.

Perhaps proper motivation, instruction and guidance would have prevented some of the behavior and performance issues. After all, Proper Prior Planning Prevents PEE Poor Performance... and if the staff can't plan to get materials done on time, how can they expect students to learn it in a timely fashion?

"Lead by example" doesn't just apply to students. As an instructor, I make absolutely sure that I'm prepared. Music and charts are done early. Changes are made with enough time not just to teach, but to reinforce. I make it a point to be early to rehearsals and to stay late. The bottom line is that I know students learn from me -- not just musically, but in a lot of ways, including work ethic. If I don't give it my all, they likely won't, either.

Now, with that said, there are instances where things don't go exactly as planned. Like most instructors, I've got a day job and family commitments that occasionally cause me to be late. But I work hard to ensure those are very rare occasions and I give advance notice via phone calls to make sure my students have the change of plans. In the rare event I'm late or unprepared, I disagree with beedubya's assessment that the students "don't need to know the situation". I want my students to know the situation when it might seem that I'm not living up to the same standards I ask them to abide by. I use it as an opportunity to teach them how strong of a commitment I expect by showing them how critical a circumstance needs to be for it to be a valid excuse. A trip to the convenience store for an after-school snack isn't an acceptable excuse for being late, nor is detention since they should've been responsible enough to avoid it. On the other hand, giving a corrective dose of insulin to my diabetic 4-year-old is a valid reason for running a few minutes behind.

I don't mean to argue with beedubya or discount his experience or opinions. There's likely more to the story than can be easily discussed in a forum like this one. But it appears we disagree on at least a few things and I figured I'd throw another experienced opinion into the mix.