Sound Prairie

Let's face it—this happens every year. At some point, your precious sprites of musical wonder will begin to question their seat on your educational bus, and it's your job to keep them from opening the fire door at the back and doing the old “tuck and roll.”

So what can you do to prepare for this? What steps are necessary in having a bit of psychological insurance when the moment arises? Well, here are some tips to avoid the yearly mutiny. Free public preview↑/↓Only visible to members Knowing is half the battle

1. Overload

• We sometimes forget that our students aren't just our students; they're employees, hybrid sibling-babysitter/Uber drivers, biochem students, and so much more. Knowing what's happening in their lives, even on the surface level (or on the “macro”) is crucial. When are the major tests this year at your institution? What about other ensemble concerts or festivals? Did you take inventory of your students' other commitments before setting sail? If not, it's okay...but do it now. Like right now. Stop reading and get a Google Form whipped up. Check on simple things like...
• Total workweek hours (part or full-time?)
• Extracurriculars (clubs or sports?)
• AP or Honors Classes (any particularly vindictive teachers they're dealing with?)
• Transportation situation

Being armed with this knowledge is huge and it will show your students an empathy level that is often never reached by many other teachers.

2. Leeches

Yes, leeches. You have them, we all do. Who are they, and have you set a projected date and time for when their negative, fun-siphoning, anarchist attitude will likely kick into overdrive? Moreover, do you have a forecast of upcoming topics or challenges that you bet will trigger those individuals to shut down?

The fact is, there's usually a few individuals in any program that become a nucleus of negativity and pushback for you. Whether by shutting down, questioning authority, or becoming a self-righteous nightmare for you and their peers, these sources of antimatter will rally their cause in the smallest, subtlest ways and bring some of your best and brightest with them. Negativity is easy and attractive when faced with adversity; however, the best educators and leaders will be prepared to deal with this instinct and its behavioral byproducts... how you say? Well, that's case-by-case. You should know your students and how the ensemble is affected by the examples made of others when it comes to discipline or expectations. Doing is the other half.

3. Escape Valves

What plans do you have in place to escape the monotony but still create fulfillment and avoid that feeling of “this is a contrived time killer...I see through your games, boomer.”

This one is important because while students of all levels crave and thrive on consistency, their nature is to get stir crazy regardless. Make sure you have a cache of practical/applicable departures from the monotony that either challenge the mind, reframe the material at hand, or expose the students to a completely new world but with some connection to the work being put on hold for the sake of sanity.

4. Reassurance

What anecdotes or smattering of verbiage can you render to give 'em the old “Longest Yard” speech? It sounds cliche, but students need to know that your passion goes beyond the educational exchange. Students resonate with individuals to show a passion that transcends “what I need you to learn” to a place of “what I want for you to experience.”

Maybe you're not the “motivationalist” that you've had once in your career but maybe you can tell a story of that motivator or an experience—good or bad—that can give students some perspective. A great way to generate perspective and reassurance for your students in an alternative way is to ask your students real non-rhetorical, non-hypothetical questions. Hit them between the eyes with your awareness of their disposition. It can be a challenging experience for all parties involved but the outcome is usually enlightening. And then there's nature.

5. Consequences and Letting Go

It sounds harsh, but there has to be a limit. We wouldn't be a very equitable source for educators if we gave 7 perfect escape clauses to your turmoil. Nope, eventually you have lay the law down and let the world run its course.

If you're a new teacher at a program, or if you're building something from almost-scratch, then this is almost specifically for you. It's cringe-worthy to read, yes, but save your hairline and blood pressure points; you just can't rush the natural order of things. You have to graduate the “bad apples” or the “we used to do it this way” kids. You have to build or rebuild a new culture and make it a part of the educational DNA from parent to student to staff to admin. It's hard to let go, but it's harder to avoid burnout when it is bound to happen.