Fall is here!

And then there was the time that I had Saturday high school football games to attend. Sorry, guys, but not really missing that yet! I am playing in an adult band at Hartt School of Music - challenging music, lots of great players/fellow music teacher friends. Lots of fun sitting on the other side of the conducting baton! A little odd, but can definitely get used to it! You'll be glad to know that I am trying very hard to be a good band member - no talking to my stand partner, no doing homework, no texting (well, maybe during break), and definitely marking and working on my part while other sections rehearse. Lots of fun!

Some things I like about fall -

-clean air
-picking veggies from the garden
-eating veggies from the garden
-not getting up early on Saturdays to drive to football games!
-walking
-putting on and taking off the sweater, cuz the weather is changing
-the changing weather
-the leaves changing - (the best!)
-visiting the scarecrow contest
-apple and pumpkin pies

Vacation over!

Yes, it is true, vacation is over - Prague visited, Berlin visited, Maine visited, step son married (great time!). Pictures will be forthcoming. I guess I will work this week on getting a rhythm - a perhaps a new song! I'll keep you posted on things as they happen, but let's just say for now that (sorry to all my former students--)I really did not miss band camp!

Busy times ---

This is usually the time my stomach starts to tell me to get stressed - busy times ahead. Well, this year it is a little different 'busy'. I used to prepare for band camp (remember 'one day, at band camp?) - sending schedules and notes to students, preparing music, cleaning up the band room, figuring out the fall football schedule, getting the instruments in order, etc. Now I am happy to say that I haven't thought about any of that until just now (that's the big part of the job I won't miss). Instead my 'busy' will be preparing for trip to Germany (during band camp, yay!), my stepson's wedding, cleaning house for other stepson's visit, and making plans for daughter's wedding! The internet is my friend!

To those of you thinking about band camp - good luck and have fun! It may be your last! I never really thought about it being my last, but I can now say, that I won't miss it. I always felt cheated that I had to spend part of my summer preparing for it, and go back to school early to set things up. But there are so many things about the actual teaching that I enjoyed, that I always felt it was a balance. Once the students were on the scene, it was all good!

So while many of you are home hunting down the band shoes, t-shirt and valve oil, warming up the old chops, preparing the instrument (who am I kidding!), I will go on the internet and investigate a trip on the autobahn. Sehr gut!

Music and Baseball

Follow me through to the end of this one, fans, especially if you are Red Sox fans - there WILL be a quiz!

All of you know that I am a big Red Sox fan (remember the day we watched the replay of Red Sox beating the Yankees on the overhead screen in the band room during theory class? (oops, don't get me fired!) I come from a huge baseball family - immediate family, in-laws, outlaws, etc. My two brothers both pitched, coached, one was an athletic director/coach, minor league player. I excelled in softball (well, I played).

My brothers used to (and still do) give me grief about my chosen profession ("it doesn't take much to be a music teacher, just put the recording on at the beginning of class, and that's it") My argument always was that music is involved in almost every aspect of your life - even the passing chime at school was pitched to E, right, Zach? And that without music, life would be very boring, etc. I still got grief. This post is my attempt to prove my point within the area that my family can identify with - baseball and music.

There is of course, the playing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during a baseball game - which I could never understand because aren't you already at the game when you hear this??? And then there's the National Anthem, of course, which I won't get into the many terrible renditions I have heard at ball games. Most people don't really notice, but it is a very difficult song to sing and that is why it is sung so poorly many times, and why the melody is changed around by many people - primarily because they can't hit the notes as written!

There are many other music/baseball relationships, but the one I like the most is the singing of "Sweet Caroline" in the middle of the 8th inning at Fenway Park. I'll admit that a big part of it is because the whole crowd is singing to me. But I also like the idea of the whole crowd connecting through music at one of my favorite past times. And especially the part where the music director turns off the music and lets the crowd sing alone (that's called acapella, for you non-musician types). And for you DHS band geeks, this is what I had in mind when I pushed for resting the instruments and having part of "Buttercup" be sung by the band during the football games.

I rest my case - for now!
Good times never seemed so good!


Legend has it that former Red Sox public address announcer Ed Brickley requested the song to be played as a tribute to the appropriately named newborn daughter of Billy Fitzpatrick, who worked in the Fenway Park control room for 20 years.

In reality, the song got its start at Fenway Park thanks to Amy Tobey, who was the ballpark’s music director from 1998 to 2004. She was responsible for choosing the music to be played between innings and picked Sweet Caroline simply because she had heard it played at other sporting events.

At first, Tobey played the song at random games sometime between the seventh and ninth innings, and only if the Red Sox were ahead. Tobey considered the song a good luck charm and it soon became something the fans anticipated.

But it wasn’t until 2002, when John Henry’s group bought the Red Sox, that Sweet Caroline become an official Fenway tradition. That’s when the new ownership requested that Tobey play the song during the eighth inning of every game.

Today Megan Kaiser is the person who chooses the between innings songs at Fenway Park, with the 8th inning exception.

Kaiser did add a slightly new touch to the playback of Diamond’s tune, as she turns off the sound during the most popular parts of the song. Red Sox fans know the words by heart now so they don’t need much help with the lyrics, and the song has become an important part of the ballpark atmosphere.
- Song Lyrics -
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

Where it began
I can't begin to knowin'
But then I know it's growin' strong

Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along

Hands, touchin' hands
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would

But now I look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin' runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when I'm with you

Warm, touchin' warm
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
I believed they never could
Sweet Caroline

Retired, revamping, reorganizing

Yeah, it is all I can do but take a bulldozer to most of the rooms in my house. Every day as I wander through, I keep saying, "How did this happen?" There is so much junk to get rid of, so much stuff to reorganize, so many trips to goodwill, the town farm, and the curb to make. Anyone out there interested in about 3,000 cds and video cassettes, books, clothes, computer equipment, just stuff! I am trying to reorganize, one room at a time. So far, the family room and closet look great - new furniture, and actually room for coats in the closet. I came across my high school yearbook and that stalled the organizing - I had to look at my skinny self in the band, at the prom (who did I go with???) and being a cheerleader with the flip hairdo! It was cute, then!

I have found some great stuff in the junk drawers too - 47 AA batteries, 65 votive candles, clarinet reeds, my old mouthpiece and ligature, and enough loose change to pay the mortgage next month (I wish!) But seriously, I recommend cleaning out those junk drawers once in a while. You are bound to find at least a couple of things that you didn't know you had that you had just gone out and bought two more of - before you cleaned the drawer!

I am, in general, being very annoying to those people who either live here (which is Scott) or who happen to come by - "can you help move this, would you like this, how can I get rid of this, etc." Also, I have given Scott fair warning - anything that is not nailed down - watch out! He is scared.

Hello???

How come the only comments I get about this blog are from my friend, Bev? I thought you all wanted to hear the meanderings of a retired band director/crazy person? I bet you all thought that I would write a couple of things and then let it drop. Well, that may very well happen, but not yet. Although I will be going silent probably from Germany in a couple of weeks. Although, you never know, it may be boring in Berlin and Prague and I won't have anything else to do. In any case, I am not feeling enough love about this blog! Forgotten so soon, huh?

More bandtrip goodness

One more band trip story- one of the best places to take your high school band is Washington, DC. It has everything, really. Plenty of history, interest, flowers,beautiful buildings, walking, pools, amusement park (okay, so you have to drive a little), etc. It is wonderful to have students visit our nation's capitol. I always learn something there. And there are hard lessons too - like the time one of my student's backpacks was scanned going into a tour of the capitol, and he was caught with liquor in it! Now, tell me, wasn't he just a little stupid to have that in the backpack? Shouldn't it have been hidden back in the hotel room? The guard alerted me and what could I do but call his parents? I mean, really? At that point it couldn't be ignored, right? And then we had to search his room when we got back to the hotel, right? And he had to be upset the whole rest of the day, because, of course this was the first stop of the day. And of course, he tried to tell me that someone must have planted it in his backpack! I mean, really, he must have thought I was a novice at the whole band trip thing. Tough lesson, indeed. Any of you bandees reading this - don't do this!

Band trip goodness

And then there was the time that I was 7 months pregnant with my first daughter (yeah, I know, a long time ago!), and I was conducting a sit down concert with my Ridgefield High School Band at Sea World in Florida. We were all hot (but not as hot as the band at the Lincoln Memorial in my last post, we were at least in lighter clothing!), but enjoying playing in front of this lovely fountain right on the main drag into the dolphin exhibit - prime real estate! I don't really remember how well the band played, but it must have been really good cuz I do remember the thunderous applause at the end - or was that because my entire trumpet section, took a little leap backwards afterwards into the fountain pool to cool off? That was also the concert where, when I got back to Ridgefield, CT, I received a note addressed to the "Female Band Director". Inside was a picture of me, very pregnant in my blue sun dress, conducting the band at Sea World, with a note that said, "I think a little one might enjoy this someday." The picture still resides on my refrigerator and has survived many moves!

A short reminder about band trips

First of all, let me say up front - I really like band trips. I liked them when I was in school, college, and when I was a teacher. Admittedly, they were much more work when I was a teacher, but the benefits always seemed to outweigh the work in the end. Not to brag, but I always planned a really great band trip!

The reason for this post actually is I was reminded of decisions you have to make when planning a band trip. I was in Washington, DC over the 4th of July and witnessed a really bad band trip decision. I was sweating (I mean, really sweating - remember the heat that weekend?) on a walking tour of the monuments. When we wound our way around to the Lincoln Memorial, I heard the distant familiar sounds of a Disney medley. I have to admit, my first thought was not how good the band was playing. My first thought was - what kind of band director really schedules a sit down concert in front of the Lincoln Memorial on a blisteringly hot day - over 100 degrees -in July in the direct sunlight? I honestly thought I was going to faint a couple of times, I can only imagine how those trumpet players must have felt!

Next posts - band trip happenings - if any of you out there reading this want to contribute a band trip story - let me know!

Taking my own advice

Yes, I admit - I sometimes say I am going to do things and then don't do them for some reasons. This time I really am going to do what I say I am going to - I am really spending some time this summer watching the flowers grow. That is, after I finish planting them. I visited my friend Bev and got some great advice and suggestions. I am wondering if this means that when my flowers die, can I blame her?? I just hope my usual pattern doesn't rear its ugly head and I become obsessed with success as I am beginning to feel stress with the fact that my hydrangeas buds won't open up. This hobby is kinda like most, golf is one that I can think of - I am going to resist having to go out and buy the newest remedy. And then there is something that is eating my daisies, and leaves on some other pretty flower that I bought. But I am working hard to enjoy the beautiful flowers that were added to my deck this summer as gifts from some very dear people - Rebecca, Gene and Kristi, music teachers, Sebi and mom, mystery flower person, Matt S. and fam, etc.
The other thing that I am taking my own advice about - getting rid of the clutter. Watch out if you have stuff stored at my house - slowly but surely I am making my way through all the nooks and cranies and "weeding" them out. (see the correlation to the flower watching?) So far I have decided that I don't need manuals for appliances we no longer own - the old toaster oven is a good example. And what do I do with the 40, yes 40, AA batteries that were cluttering up my junk drawers?
I am working on a decision as to whether to have a tag sale or just keep filling up our giant trash bin every week all summer until the clutter is reduced. I say reduced because my game of "will I use this/want this?" sometimes gets bogged down - oh, "what pretty sparkly things!" and then I found $10!

What's worse?

Packing or unpacking? Trying to find a place at home for all the stuff that was in my office and in my little apartment is very frustrating. Some stuff has just got to go. This will also force me into the summer job that I have put off for so long - playing the game "Do I Really Need/Want this?" I have lots of music books, momentos, cards, gifts that absolutely have to have a place. I mean, how could I possibly get rid of the beautiful painting of DHS that was presented to me on the last day? And the framed stuff from my office? Dave Brubeck has to have a place of honor! And I am thinking of somehow framing a collage of all the cards I received - some of them are masterpieces!
So what is worse - I guess not having this problem would be the worst of all!

Retirement flowers and lovely vase

Just a quick note

It is unfair to give a retired teacher jury duty two days after the last day on the job! I am not yet in the correct frame of mind to free an accused felon!

What it is all about

Yesterday was graduation - for the seniors and for me! Although I am not yet a senior citizen, my work at DHS is done and it feels a bit like someone has adopted my children and sent me to another happy place. I kinda don't mind all the work type stuff that is over, but I hope the human connections are not. Jane M - you have been a joy to work with - always smiling, upbeat (and some downbeats too!), interesting and my go-to person for all things important - you have the pulse of the school at your fingertips and I loved tapping into that. I will continue to inquire about the latest cool website and the gossip. I will follow your blog and try your recipes too! Thank you for being you.
And to all the band geeks (aka the coolest kids in the world - cwiw) - you know who you are - KC, JW, KO, LW, DT, SC, ZH, M and MC, AK, MS, T and CS, CW (okay, that could be me, but not!) AN, WT, JC, C and DL, BP and KB - you have now been elevated to leadership status and must carry the DHS Band legacy along. Keep practicing in the face of complacency and don't let the other guys win! It has been a great few years with you and I respect your enthusiasm and talent. Thanks for the great send off, but this isn't good-bye - it is "I'll see you again soon!" Keep me posted on all the good stuff that happens to you - and any of the other stuff too! Love you guys. (no crying, KO, serious is over-rated.)

Masters degree in ???

Okay, now back to that equipment --- I know that all of my music colleagues will agree with me - there should be at least one masters course, if not an entire degree for music ed majors on the joys of equipment - moving it, setting it up, breaking it down, schlepping it EVERYWHERE - the chairs, the stands, the microphones,cords, pianos, the risers, the percussion (marching and concert!), music folders, amplifiers, etc., etc. It never ends - we are usually the first and (by far) the last people at an event. And believe me when I say you have to be in pretty good shape to be a music ensemble teacher cuz when you're alone and it needs to be done, you have no choice but to do it! Now, admittedly, I have had some expert advice in this last job in the technical area - Mr. A is the resident "techie" of the music department - he has more wires and microphones than anyone I know, and has been a great help in that area. But honestly, I don't know of any English teacher that has to move as much equipment and have an expansive knowledge of technical auxilliary stuff! And don't get me started on instrument repair, reeds, mouthpieces, trip planning, uniforms, bake sales and parent helpers (those are for future entries!) Let's just say that I am a little afraid of my physical condition deteriorating in retirement. I shudder at how many minutes and speed on the treadmill will equal the physical portion of the DHS band director job! Well, I think you get the picture - now off to the gym!

Band Family

Okay, so the whining about the equipment is just going to have to wait.

I will try to put into words what I will miss the most about teaching high school band. I don't think there is any other teaching position, besides my colleagues in the orchestra and choral world, where you have the privilege of having the same students for 4 years. You've heard me talk about the band family - I have not only had students for 4 years, but I have had as many as 4 students from the same family - developing a relationship that spans 11 years. Now you may say that is a double-edged sword. But it has been my experience that if you are dealing with a "band family", a bond is developed that surpasses minor concerns along the way. This makes a job a part of your life like no other. I have a deep respect and regard for those kinds of relationships that go much further than a mere 11 years at one job, or for that matter, a career of 36 years. Thanks to the families of Sebi, Juan, Agustin; Kyle-Rose, Cara, Kevin,Casey; Emily, Maggie, Mike, Matt; Malcolm, Matt, Sara, Hayley; Kyle, Cameron, Kincade - spanning from 6-10 years, and the many, many families that I have had two siblings, twins, cousins, etc. too numerous to mention, but truly memorable. This is not to mention the lasting friendships I still maintain with former band students and parents - thanks Scott, Dan, Daryl, Carol, Susan, Malcolm, Willie, my dear adopted son, Mark, and all the others who are and will be in my heart - you know who you are! The support that I have received by all my band families, most particularly in the last 11 years, has been tremendous - my sincere, deep and profoundly humbling thank you.

Packing, etc.

Well, now that my impending retirement is a week away, I guess I am going to have to find a new way to annoy people - you can all subscribe to and follow my blog! Since this seems to be what all the cool people are doing, I want to be in the in-crowd. Many of you may think that I forge new ground, but really I am a joiner, really.
I may or may not have suggested on various occasions to my soon-to-be former students that I am considering writing a book about my experiences as a high school band director, if a couple of them would be my publisher. Perhaps this blog will serve as a pilot for that book. In any case, I will try and tell the good and the bad, and the funny and perhaps not-so-funny experiences. Hopefully the stuff that I come up with will be entertaining to some, at least. I will try to not incriminate myself or give real names to any of my "victims"!

Entry #1 - From time to time, I will mention things on two lists - #1 list is what I'll miss, and #2, then, obviously, will be what I won't miss. Today, since it is end of the year cleanup, I will definitely NOT miss giving or correcting exams, writing junior reviews, and trying to calm the savage beasts (aka high school kids nearing the end of school year), preparing for graduation. Can you really enjoy 100 hs kids playing instruments in the same room at the same time in 80 degrees weather? Just stay cool - it will all be over soon!
Next post will definitely have something to do with my masters degree - Moving Equipment 101!