wtnhunt Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 Yesterday our oldest daughter was supposed to march in a parade. She plays flute in the middle school band, and we are very proud of her. I was kind of skeptical about the weather, but the band director told our daughter that they would march in this parade rain or shine, so this was what we expected. The radar showed rain, and there was absolutely no question that they were going to get wet. Also kind of raised question in my mind about this rather expensive new flute she just got for Christmas getting soaked. Don't know a lot about these instruments, but don't really think it could possibly be good for the springs and other parts to get soaked. So in the light drizzle with our two younger daughters we get to a good spot near the judges booth, where the bands should have stopped to play, and we waited. About 45 minutes after the parade was supposed to start one band played in the rain. We stood in the rain for over an hour and a half waiting and finally another parent standing with us borrowing one of our umbrellas got a call from her daughter telling her that they played inside of a school up the road a ways and that they were done and ready to be picked up. Our younger two daughters had gotten cold by this time. Needless to say pretty disappointing standing waiting in lousy conditions and not getting to see our daughter play, was a bit irritated that the band director did not make alternate plans ahead of time and pass those plans on to parents with knowing the conditions and tell parents they might end up playing inside. The weather conditions were pretty obvious and well in advance. Turned out that several parents got called on their cell phones from their kids and they were able to watch the inside performance. We missed it all. Our daughter has one more year in the middle school with this director. The wife has been involved in some of the band parent functions(she is a band booster), and she knows the band director pretty well, they went to school together and were in the band together. Would you as a parent call or email the band director over this or would you just let it go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 I'd ask. What can it hurt to let them know that you'd prefer better communication? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 William - both of my daughters were in Marching Band all through Middle School and High School. We had a very strong parent/band support group and we never hesitated in letting the Band Director hear about any problems we noticed with regard to communication issues. If the lady sharing your umbrella had not received that call from her daughter none of you would have had any idea where your children were to be able to pick them up. We had a phone tree in place for just such situations and there were always several parents "embedded" with the band to start the phone tree when plans changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doe-ee Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 IMHO It's the perfect time to voice your concerns. From what little I know about you and your wife, I feel certain that it would be done in diplomatic manner. Besides you may have two other musically gifted girls there. I wouldn't want to miss a minute of that either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkV Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 I would definately express my dissapointment in the lack of planning and communication William. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 Yes you might do a little constructive criticism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 That'd tick me off, I'd tell the guy how you feel about it for sure William. I'm sure other people are too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskybnd Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 yea i think i too would have to have a little constructive criticism with him, and make the point that you sat in the rain waiting to see your daughter play, and becouse of lack of planing on his part, got wet and still didnt get to see your daughter play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 IMHO It's the perfect time to voice your concerns. From what little I know about you and your wife, I feel certain that it would be done in diplomatic manner. Besides you may have two other musically gifted girls there. I wouldn't want to miss a minute of that either. Yeah, what she said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 yea, william, you have the gentle mannerisms to get a solid point across without hurting anyone. the teacher should have communicated better, simple as that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookieee Posted May 3, 2009 Report Share Posted May 3, 2009 yea, william, you have the gentle mannerisms to get a solid point across without hurting anyone. The teacher should have communicated better, simple as that. ditto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Thanks for all the input here. Put a lot of thought into what I wrote to the band director and said what needed said without being ugly, and she replied simply with a "thank you for your comments and time". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Definitely a case of poor communications. The band director really needs to work on that, but it was probably a wise decision to move indoors. A light to moderate rain on an entire band's instruments could do several thousand dollars worth of damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Nothing wrong with communication William--as long as it's civil. I'd probably call. Had a similar situation with my youngest son's soccer coach. This lady was a good coach, but horrible at communication. We were sitting at one of Matt's last games, and the coach started handing out team pictures. My wife and I were confused because we never even got notification about when the pictures were to be taken. I went up to the coach and asked when the pictures were taken and she said "about 2 weeks ago." I asked her why we weren't notified she just shrugged and said "you were supposed to get a call." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 That is pretty bad! I'd give the band director an earful in a respectful manner, of course. Our school and state for that manner are backwards in most regards, lol... but they have a new system now where you register your cell phone or home phone # and get automated messages about storm closings, absenteeism, and things of your nature too. Would be good if they implemented the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 but they have a new system now where you register your cell phone or home phone # and get automated messages about storm closings, absenteeism, and things of your nature too. Would be good if they implemented the same. They do utilize a similar system here for closings for weather and stuff like that. Will see if she takes my constructive criticism to heart. I strongly urged her to come up with a plan for future performances and to pass it along to parents in advance and suggested she take what happened Saturday as a learning experience. The kids are supposed to perform in another parade this Thursday in the morning, we just found out about that yesterday. There is rain in the forecast for Thursday(highly probable it will rain) so she should have ample time to come up with a plan and pass it along to all parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelund79 Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 I would politely mention your displeasure with the communication-especially since you were there to see your daughter perform and had to miss it while getting weathered on with the rest of your family.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.JPG.e4aeeaecf1627f3d2bb808d741339ae7.JPG)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.