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Post by Anthony G on Aug 30, 2008 3:32:36 GMT -5
I couldn't have said it better myself. I was eventually going to write up an identical one but I couldn't think of how to word it, but you got the job done. Now that I reflect on what was different about my freshmen year with Mote and my senior year with Mote, I realized we were challenged more. He required an audition (one where you would go into his office, play 12 major and 6 minor scales (and any additional scales you had memorized), play a technical piece of your choice, play a piece demonstrating musicianship (of your choice), play a bonus piece (of your choice), site read a piece of music selected by Mote, demonstrate your tonguing skills, demonstrate your double-tonguing skills, and demonstrate your tuning skills. This audition took place in one setting (not spread out like it is now), and it had to be done the week of band camp. It was required that you schedule an appointment one week in advance, and the audition would take place before or after school (or during band camp). The purpose of these auditions was to see your chair placement and see what music part you played for that marching season. There was also an audition for Wind Symphony and you had to get 250 points or more to qualify. I understand that we are still "auditioning", but there is no purpose to it. Mr. Mote likes choosing favorites, and if he wants (for example) Connor to play 1st part and Colleen to play 2nd part then he can do that. But with us auditioning like we did before, we could view the list of people's scores to see who really deserves 1st part/2nd part/etc. Also, there is less of a purpose to audition because either way you will get into Wind Symphony. I don't know why, but all of a sudden Mr. Mote thinks it's a great idea to include the Symphonic Band in everything the Wind Symphony does without an audition. Sure, the audition required lots more practice time, but by having us do an audition it weeded out the people that shouldn't be in advanced band. How is this good for us? This means no more wasted band classes listening to the same people fail over and over on TM or 150 (no offense to those people). We wouldn't even need to worry about TM or 150 because it is *the advanced band*. We would instead work on concert music. I stated before that the difference between past and present was that the amount of challenge has changed. How is challenge good? It keeps us occupied (or not bored, if you will). We'll all be less angry because: 1. Why are we angry? Because Mote wastes our time on speeches that most of us don't need to hear. 2. Why else are we angry? Because Mote spends time trying to perfect something that should have been perfected at home. So, by challenging us, it'll remove those people that make Mote angry (which ultimately make us angry), and we will all be less angry. AHAHAH We'll all be less sad because people will stop quitting BECAUSE all of the above has been/will be fixed. I'm not saying that simply bringing back the "real" auditions will fix the band, but fixing the band isn't going to change over night. We need to take one step at a time. This will take a while, and most likely we will all be graduated by the time the band will see any significant change (if we get this to work that is). When we do bring this to the attention of Mr. Mote, we must remain calm. We cannot raise our voices because that is once again approaching it the wrong way. We cannot give in. Mr. Mote can be manipulating and he is good at making statements that cannot be responded to (AKA blanket statements), so we must have all of this planned out. I suggest we think like Mote and think of possible responses he can give to us so we can be ready to counter his statements. Also, you stated that we need to approach this the right way. I SUGGEST SHORT HOP LAZURS  /jk |
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Post by Anthony G on Aug 30, 2008 3:37:20 GMT -5
I feel pretty good about myself seeing that I wrote that 4:30 in the morning and it's still somewhat logical and readable Didn't even have to edit my post ooooh right. |
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Post by Justice Bringer on Aug 30, 2008 9:06:58 GMT -5
you can never know what mote is going to respond back, because once you think you know he will curveball you in the face
and i warn you going in there is like somone choking you to death
its slow and agonizing
im all for helping the band, and i would join your cause
@anthony, if we had those auditions then we would only have like 10-15 people in there. which is sad but true
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Post by Anthony G on Aug 30, 2008 10:39:57 GMT -5
@anthony, if we had those auditions then we would only have like 10-15 people in there. which is sad but true This isn't true. People would rather audition than go to 4th period. For some people it's torture to be in the intermediate band. Besides, it isn't fair that we call 3rd period band the advanced band if people in there are still working on their basic rhythms. Plus, it'll give all the people in 4th period something to strive for. |
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Post by Justice Bringer on Aug 30, 2008 12:20:29 GMT -5
@anthony, if we had those auditions then we would only have like 10-15 people in there. which is sad but true This isn't true. People would rather audition than go to 4th period. For some people it's torture to be in the intermediate band. Besides, it isn't fair that we call 3rd period band the advanced band if people in there are still working on their basic rhythms. Plus, it'll give all the people in 4th period something to strive for. what i meant was there would be only 10-15 people who could PASS the auditions |
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Post by wolvy on Aug 30, 2008 12:29:07 GMT -5
Well, I think the reason for the psuedo-fusion is numbers, but we still could make Wind Symphony far more rigid.
Sadly we really need 3 bands, pre-intermediate for the freshman, intermediate for those who still need help but are excellent players, and WS for those who need not passing off; however, since we do not have 3 bands, we have to divide middle tier between the classes, which causes the problems Anthony has described. I really wish we could somehow get the lower people faster... if we only had two directors...
If we could come up with an effective plan to divide WS into Upper and Middle Tier, we could really make band a lot more exciting.
And when you said Mr. Mote works too much on stuff that should be practiced at home, it is because it is not practiced at home. I definitely disagree with strongly fixing specific parts on sightreading (unless it is a trainwreck on fire), but unless people step up and fix their own parts we will be trapped.
Finally, I like your "striving"-4th period scenario, Anthony (no sarcasm), for it really makes the underclassmen have to work to get in. Another thing, why are tryouts to get into WS when you are in the class and not when you are still in SB? If we could get that policy established, we could be really cooking.
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Post by Anthony G on Aug 30, 2008 14:22:37 GMT -5
Well, I think the reason for the psuedo-fusion is numbers, but we still could make Wind Symphony far more rigid. Sadly we really need 3 bands, pre-intermediate for the freshman, intermediate for those who still need help but are excellent players, and WS for those who need not passing off; however, since we do not have 3 bands, we have to divide middle tier between the classes, which causes the problems Anthony has described. I really wish we could somehow get the lower people faster... if we only had two directors... If we could come up with an effective plan to divide WS into Upper and Middle Tier, we could really make band a lot more exciting. Perhaps we can get anyone that is numbers 50 and below (in the 150 book) to pass off to Michael or that one Oboe girl in the ensemble room. Michael and the Oboe girl have enough rhythm experience to say that they can pass off those people. Besides, they don't do anything in class anyways, they usually just sit there listening to other people. I don't know how much Mote will like this idea though. This will get more people passed off though, and we will have more playing time rather than listening time. The people in the ensemble room passing off to Michael and Oboe girl could be considered "middle tier" band. Yeah, my point was that we wouldn't have to spend time practicing the things that should be practiced at home if we had a more defined advanced band. I agree though that we shouldn't be spending time perfecting something that is being site read. I'm not understanding this last statement. |
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Post by Anthony G on Aug 30, 2008 14:23:33 GMT -5
This isn't true. People would rather audition than go to 4th period. For some people it's torture to be in the intermediate band. Besides, it isn't fair that we call 3rd period band the advanced band if people in there are still working on their basic rhythms. Plus, it'll give all the people in 4th period something to strive for. what i meant was there would be only 10-15 people who could PASS the auditions Well then, that gives them something to strive for. Besides, those 10-15 people are the ones that are complaining so we should get the benifits. |
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Post by Justice Bringer on Aug 30, 2008 14:32:51 GMT -5
what i meant was there would be only 10-15 people who could PASS the auditions Well then, that gives them something to strive for. Besides, those 10-15 people are the ones that are complaining so we should get the benifits. yes, but you wouldnt have the instramentation to do anything the only low winds people that could pass would most likely be Rob and I. like adamczck and wes just switched to baritone they are still figuring out how the instrament feels and works. dont even get me started on josh and marcus you know what, everyone's problems would be solved if everyone practiced a 2 hour minimum outside of school |
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Mizagium
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Post by Mizagium on Aug 30, 2008 14:37:43 GMT -5
The thing is, Mote will not listen too us even IF we gather everyone in the band to speak to him in a "non-confrontational/we want to help to band too" kinda way.
Even if we are polite and see some of his points, he will STILL blow us off. Then he'll make a big speech to the band that we need to stop wining and do what he says. Then he will identify those who talked to him and forever not let them pass anything (including the class) or do fun stuff (like Wind Symphony).
This isn't a "I hate Mote" post, it's just the truth. He's a senile old man (not that there's anything wrong with that) who is set in his ways and refuses to see anyone else's point. That's it. Period.
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Post by Anthony G on Aug 30, 2008 14:47:16 GMT -5
The thing is, Mote will not listen too us even IF we gather everyone in the band to speak to him in a "non-confrontational/we want to help to band too" kinda way. Even if we are polite and see some of his points, he will STILL blow us off. Then he'll make a big speech to the band that we need to stop wining and do what he says. Then he will identify those who talked to him and forever not let them pass anything (including the class) or do fun stuff (like Wind Symphony). This isn't a "I hate Mote" post, it's just the truth. He's a senile old man (not that there's anything wrong with that) who is set in his ways and refuses to see anyone else's point. That's it. Period. Like Robert said, "You know what happens if you don't take the chance? Nothing." If we don't take the chance then we wouldn't know for sure. Besides, if Mote completely blows us off I think it's safe to say that we wouldn't want to be in band anymore. |
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Mizagium
Story Master
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Post by Mizagium on Aug 30, 2008 14:53:12 GMT -5
The thing is, Mote will not listen too us even IF we gather everyone in the band to speak to him in a "non-confrontational/we want to help to band too" kinda way. Even if we are polite and see some of his points, he will STILL blow us off. Then he'll make a big speech to the band that we need to stop wining and do what he says. Then he will identify those who talked to him and forever not let them pass anything (including the class) or do fun stuff (like Wind Symphony). This isn't a "I hate Mote" post, it's just the truth. He's a senile old man (not that there's anything wrong with that) who is set in his ways and refuses to see anyone else's point. That's it. Period. Like Robert said, "You know what happens if you don't take the chance? Nothing." If we don't take the chance then we wouldn't know for sure. Besides, if Mote completely blows us off I think it's safe to say that we wouldn't want to be in band anymore. I suppose, it just seems like he doesn't listen to us at all. But of all things, talking to him in a large group would probably work the best. But who wants to do that? (That was a serious question and not sarcasm, btw) |
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Post by Anthony G on Aug 30, 2008 15:14:43 GMT -5
Well then, that gives them something to strive for. Besides, those 10-15 people are the ones that are complaining so we should get the benifits. yes, but you wouldnt have the instramentation to do anything the only low winds people that could pass would most likely be Rob and I. like adamczck and wes just switched to baritone they are still figuring out how the instrament feels and works. dont even get me started on josh and marcus you know what, everyone's problems would be solved if everyone practiced a 2 hour minimum outside of school Just because someone has changed instruments doesn't mean their concept of rhythms has changed. Besides, Adamczyk is switching back to Sax for concert stuff. I know that's not the point you're trying to make, but I'll have you know that getting the 250 point minimum isn't that hard. When I was a freshmen, I got 257 points and I had no clue what I was doiing. I played 3 basic scales, got all my music from the essential elements book, and did some basic tonguing. Now, you are probably wondering what good an audition will do if it isn't challenging. Here's the good it'll do: 1. It'll make us all start practicing again 2. It'll start making competition within the band. If Geoff gets a higher score on his audition than me then you can bet that I would practice and challenge him for his spot. It is always good to have competition because it makes us strive to be better than our competitors. In return this will make more people practicing and more people wanting to get better. Also, Marcus has gotten a lot better. If Josh just stopped fooling himself, thinking he was great, then he would probably start practicing. Justin, that's where you come in. I suggest you start challenging him but only to the point that it makes him practice more, not to the point where you take his spot. |
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Post by Anthony G on Aug 30, 2008 15:16:50 GMT -5
I suppose, it just seems like he doesn't listen to us at all. But of all things, talking to him in a large group would probably work the best. But who wants to do that? (That was a serious question and not sarcasm, btw) I would do it, Robert would, Lucco would, Michael would, Adamcyzk would... basically anyone that has gotten fed up with Mote and is willing to talk it out with him instead of quitting. Maybe we could even convice Mote to talk to the band as a whole and get everyone's input. |
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Post by wolvy on Aug 30, 2008 15:45:44 GMT -5
If we don't try, nothing will happen. The voice of the entire band will sing louder than any individuals.
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Post by Justice Bringer on Aug 30, 2008 17:57:20 GMT -5
ok i think we have debated this enough its time to get organized
im all for talking to mote. these are the minimum things we need to have
1. a solid point
2. we need to be organised we need to stick together and act like a band. he can stomp one or two of us in the ground but he can stop a bad
3.we need to have a trumpcard in case he refuses to listen
idea's READY.........GO
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Post by Duke Nukem on Aug 30, 2008 19:39:47 GMT -5
Alright, time to crush everyone's hopes and dreams with a story about the truth.
The story starts last year. Everyone knows I was pissed about being cheated out of leadership by Mote, who put Hunter in a leadership spot instead (I am aware that I'm section leader now, so nobody call me bitter. I'll get to why section leader is a load of bull shit.). Everyone knows that I went in for a parent meeting with Mote and Stallings. What everyone DOESN'T know is what happened. Let me tell you EXACTLY what happens when you approach things reasonably with Mote, who is a megalomaniac (no joke, no exaggeration, he IS a power-loving bastard):
My mom and dad are in the office with me. Mote and Stallings are sitting in their respective corners and we're basically in the middle. My parents didn't want me in the office in the first place, but Mote insisted. After my mom talked for a while, my dad asked me to leave so they could talk to the dastardly duo freely. Mote stands and tells me to stay (AKA ordering me to disobey my father). This did not please my dad. My dad told me to go again. I left. About 5 minutes later, my dad left the office. Want to know why? Mr. Mote threatened to call security.
Now, those of you who've met my dad know that he's scary as hell. However, he did not do anything. After I left, Mote and my mom continued talking, and Mote got pissed because my mom was questioning him. My dad started talking, and the second he did, Mote put his hand on the phone. My dad ignored it, but every time he said something Mote put his hand on the phone. Finally, Mote told my dad to leave or he would call security. My dad asked why, and Mote said he was threatening him (he wasn't). My mom said he wasn't and my dad asked how he was being threatened. Mote pointed at my mom and said:
"Well SHE'S calling me a liar."
That is my dad threatening Mote. He left, and the meeting went on for about another 30 minutes. Long story short, Mote loves his power and panics whenever somebody tries to take it, or if he thinks somebody is taking it. After that meeting, Mote decided section leaders were leadership. Coincidence? I doubt it.
Mote will not listen if you approach him in an organized and rational fashion. He sees it as you trying to override his authority and nothing else, even if you're just trying to help the band. It does not matter if you have a point, it will always end the same.
On another note, Robert, you are full of shit. You haven't been screwed over by Mote or Stallings because your mom is band booster president. Sorry, that's the truth, even if you aren't willing to admit it. You can say that you just want the band to stay intact, but that's partly because you plan on being drum major next year. There's nothing wrong with that, I can't blame you for having ambition. I myself can never be drum major because Mote and Stallings hate me. You can because Stallings loves you and Mote knows nothing about woodwinds so he just takes Stalling's word on what goes on with them.
The band is slowly dying, and I say let it. Let me paint you a picture. It's a warm summer evening, a Friday to be exact. the crowd is excited, and both the home and vistiter's stands are packed. It's the night of the Woodstock vs. Etowah game. The succesful football team runs out onto our nice football field, while the crowd cheers from our nice stadium. Mr. Dunnavant is beaming, because Etowah has so many things to be proud of. Half-time comes around. The band marches onto the field. There are about 50 kids on the field, and you can barely hear the show. The only kids on the field are freshmen and marchers who are mindless enough to take Mote's crap without caring too much. We march poorly. Sloppy formations and wrong notes define our performance. The smile leaves Mr. Dunnavant's face. The Woodstock band takes the field. They have about 140 kids. Their band performs at a level of excellence that greatly overshadows Etowah's. Mr. Dunnavant is less than pleased. Mote is humiliated.
Tell me, is that not worth it? Is leaving the band run by a man we all hate really so bad if THIS happens? Mr. Dunnavant is not too fond of Mote anyways, so if he gets mad enough he can pressure Mote to retire. Tell me how Mote's misery is a bad thing for us when he brings it upon himself? This picture can be this year, or even next. If anything will reach Mote, it's an organized exodus of marchers. That will RUIN his show and his year, and how will it affect the kids that leave? They laugh. They have more free time. They KNOW that they got back at the man who made their lives difficult for far too long. Those satisfied ex-marchers can be us, people.
Now, I know Robert or someone else will say something along the lines of "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" or "revenge wont solve anything" but they are wrong. Mote is the most spiteful person I know. I've been saying that I would go out with a bang, and I'm asking you guys to be part of that bang. How good would it feel to strike back at Mote? Great, that's how it would feel. You can try to be organized and protest Mote's treatment, but it wont work. I guaruntee that. If you guys decide to do it, I'll help anyways. Hell, I'll take the lead on that just like in the leadership meeting (yes, I was the one who both started the argument and probably spoke most other than Mote in that meeting).
The point is, I'm just as willing as the next person to help the band, but sometimes helping the band is hurting it. If Mote is humiliated enough to lose hope and retire, the band program would be rid of it's greatest hindrance. FOLLOW ME, FELLOW BAND MEMBERS, TO FREEDOM.
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Post by Duke Nukem on Aug 30, 2008 19:40:33 GMT -5
You guys had better read that entire post word for word before you argue with me like I know you will.
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Post by Duke Nukem on Aug 30, 2008 19:41:07 GMT -5
Oh and Justin, the trump card is shock and awe. I can provide that. It could also be me saying, "I don't know, my dad may want to get involved in this matter. You remember him, right?"
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Post by Duke Nukem on Aug 30, 2008 19:47:56 GMT -5
Talking to Mote in a leadership meeting didn't change his mind, so why would it work again. He had about 10 kids (only about 10 kids had the balls to actually speak) asking him to not yell at kids in front of the band and he said no, go fuck yourselves. He then proceeded to tell us that we need to tell the kids to toughen up and take it. Roman agreed, even though he hasn't been on the field with us ONCE this year. They're both idiots. Why bother with them?
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Mizagium
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Post by Mizagium on Aug 30, 2008 20:02:11 GMT -5
I don't want to read it. You over exaggerate scenarios appertaining to the band.
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Post by Justice Bringer on Aug 30, 2008 21:07:10 GMT -5
i refuse to quit band, music is my life. and nothing or nobody could convince me otherwise. not mote not stallings not you
there are other ways, getting mr. dunnavent to pressure him into retiring is a good idea but ONLY if he doesnt cooperate
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Mizagium
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Post by Mizagium on Aug 30, 2008 21:13:13 GMT -5
Dunnavant won't do anything. He has more important things do to/doesn't really care than listen to a bunch of kids wine about heir teacher.
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Post by Justice Bringer on Aug 30, 2008 21:14:15 GMT -5
how bout a bunch of parents.........
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Mizagium
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Post by Mizagium on Aug 30, 2008 21:21:09 GMT -5
...That might work. But Mote will just deny everything. Also, whatever it is you guys are scheming, count me out.
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