Make More Of What You DO Have!
Most bands are small bands with a limited number of resources, parent involvement, and potential for growth. And many directors are teaching in these situations.
So you have two choices: look at the limitations and lament your challenges, or decide to make the most out of what you DO have.
A great cook can rummage around in the kitchen and fridge and put unexpected things together to create an amazing meal! Â You need to cook up some great teaching and great performers with the ingredients you have at hand.
Great speakers will look at the people who ARE sitting in front of them and concentrate on delivering a great message to whoever happens to be in attendance. Â If they focus on the empty seats, they will miss the smiling faces that are in attendance whose lives could be changed by an inspiring message.
When I work with any band, and particularly a smaller band, I encourage the director and staff to take inventory of what they really DO have to work with. Â Get to know your students on a deeper level and find out about their interests and hobbies. Â A treasure trove of hidden talents is likely sitting right in front of you.
You may find out that the new 8th grade flute player has 6 years of dance training! Â That trombone player who can juggle is using that skill in your show! Â Can your first trumpet do a backflip? Â We can work with that! Â Does someone know magic tricks or have hidden singing talent? Â You won’t know unless you ask!
Canvas your students and find out all that they are bringing to the table. Â An entire show could be written around that national champion martial arts champion who happens to also play mellophone! Â A client I’ve written drill for in Georgia was great at finding out special talents of their members, and their guard ended up surprising the audience with a variety of unusual pieces of equipment all throughout the show.
The same goes for your parent volunteers. Â Someone is great at creating websites, building set pieces, organizing a fund raiser, sewing costumes, talking to businesses around town…. you won’t know until you get to know them and ask what they are good at…or what they love to do. Â Think creatively and you’ll find hidden talents and relationships that can really benefit your program.
And lastly, don’t forget to look at your staff in new ways also. Â Your drum instructor could be great at helping the woodwinds keep better time in their feature section. Â The guard instructor could help the drumline move more freely, and your visual tech may be just the person to talk with your parents about the props you need them to build. Â I encourage you to watch THIS inspiring CONVERSATION about using your staff in a variety of ways to take advantage of everything they are bringing to your program.
Don’t look at the few number of students you are working with, but lean into all that the students are bringing to the table. Â Watch them blossom and grow and your program will do the same.
Tim Hinton
April 19, 2025
Watch: Get More From Your Staff with a Non-Linear Approach
Podcast Version: Get More From Your Staff
