Picture this scenario. They just spent an academic year of basic training of your group for a final concert of spring. The rehearsal went well and all systems are OK. Then, ten minutes before the concert, three students are losing music, a bass clarinet and three breaks with the player saxophone reed, which resemble already cut into pieces by Jason on Friday three decades.

You too could well be your reaction, as such, it would be: “How dare you come to me now, just before the concert. You can not tell me that you do not see that these leaves have been damaged . What would you do, ruin together? Do you want me concentrate on my wave a magic wand and make new leaves and a new bass clarinet appear? Are you crazy?

Of course, this type of reaction would be best to get the fire. One of the things of this kind of scenario to realize is that these students have come for you to despair and confidence. You are the human resource. You are Mr or Mrs fix it. Cost of debt students from other reeds is the obvious solution. Most students are responsible extra reeds, and they are usually willing to save. As for the bass clarinet, go to another instrument. It is not always in the same grade and I hope that makes for broken’s clarinet mouthpiece to adapt to a “healthy” clarinet instrument.

If you can, keep cool in the previous scenario to keep in mind that things can easily go down Charybdis of a Scylla during the concert. The lower grade levels, groups often accelerate when faced with an audience of several hundred parents. In addition, maintaining contact with players during the concert is not an easy task when it is a sick panic orchestra. Here are a few golden rules to follow:

With a smile on your orchestra, before a benefit is a big help. If your students seem very uptight, a little joke made miracles. If the ice is broken, there are chances that the pace of your piece, more uniform.

If something goes through, do not believe in thinking for the rest of the piece that you have implemented. The error is gone, and with your students and meaning or not, if your mind is in the present or the past. If you are concerned, will play your students nervous, often unpredictable pace and creates a solid gewürgt.

Professional standards for professionals. If you expect a lot of your students, you will never be happy. This is not a question of reducing standards, but the realization of the age, and who bring you the best of them. Several times, inspiration for students just starting, you have your curriculum and craft enterprises. To provide the music of your plan and learning the skills of your students, with humour and patience is the ultimate gift of education.

So the next time your bass playing too loud during the dress rehearsal and you can not hear the melody, not to shout: “Would you ever shut up boys? Quiet!” Many more try this: “Hey, it seems that your own earthquakes. A little more quiet please. “