I loved TMEA in the past, but the program has become college teachers telling people in the trenches how they should be doing things. I would love to hear Dr. Tim speak, and there are a few others who intrigue me, but for the most part it looks like those people who live in those fantasy worlds (you know the ones with unlimited budgets and 4-5 directors per school) will continue to tell those of us who teach in the real world what we are doing wrong! The same thing is what the Midwest clinic has become.
The school I was at prior to my current assignment had over 400 band students, and we had a darn good program. We could play two lists above our level on the UIL lists, and the kids were mainly from very poor homes. I was the only director at the school for 19 of 23 years. When they did finally give me some help it was only for a few hours a day.
One year we took the band to a contest in Texas (which we won) and I was told that we would be one of the best programs in the country if we only had a couple more directors and if we bought decent equipment for our students. Geeeeee. I guess I couldn't figure that one out on my own!
I'll continue to teach where no one else wants to teach, because the kids there truly appreciate me for what I give to them - my time and lots of love! We'll never be the best because there is only one of me, but we'll give it everything we have trying to be the best!
Sorry for the rant, but I used to go to conventions like TMEA and Midwest. I would get so very excited about the potential and dream about "what if....?" Then I would return to my real world and work 12-15 hour days and teach lessons for free, because if I wouldn't do it who would? These kids deserved the best, not because they were rich, but because they tried so very hard! I guess you'll have to excuse me tonight -- it has been a long week
