Latest News from RandallKey.com
November 2006
Hey Yall!!!!,
Hello friends, Well I guess you can tell by the lack of updates that I have been very busy and doing a little reassessing of my career. I am in my 3rd year as band director at Hartselle High School and it has been very rewarding. The first two years were very tough implementing my philosophy and direction of the program. Naturally I encountered a lot of obstacles and even some undermining internally which made the job unbearable at times. Now I am in my third year and can finally see the fruits of my labor and have enjoyed my job tremendously!!!! The staff seems to be on the same page and we are proactively working to provide the best musical experience for the students. I really enjoy the students in the program and the attitude has been awesome. Good attitudes, and hard work has brought our group overwhelming success during our marching season and the football team did great. I am very blessed to work with an outstanding head football coach Bob Godsey and we have a great working relationship. Historically band directors and coaches have been known to have “artistic differences” through the years but the two of us want what is best for the students. This year our band performed a disco show and received Best in Class honors at our contest and I could not be happier with the students work ethic. They were a total joy to work with.
This year I have decided to devote my time to the band program rather than my own stage time. I decided I wanted to see what I could do to ensure the best success for the students. I can tell you this was the right decision to make!!!! This sacrifice is still hard for me since I enjoy playing so much and I miss the stage time. I thought I would miss playing very much but it has not been so bad. Now when I play I have noticed it is harder for me to enjoy than it once was. There is part of me that still enjoys the experience, but my tolerance for mistakes is getting smaller. I can understand a student making mistakes, but when I am on stage I want to be in a utopian musical environment. My playing should be an escape from my everyday job encounters, yet that does not always happen. I cut back on booking jobs on the side and I have played fewer jobs than in previous years. This is due to personal choice and band downsizing. Now that football season is over I plan on playing a little more and have even talked to a couple of other bands to start playing with. I have booked a few gigs with Soul Society and the AGB’s own Ken Harper is playing drums. He is a great guy and a fine drummer.
Members of the AGB are still playing and I talk to some of the guys every couple of months. I hear things are going well for them and they have been working a lot more this year. Maybe I will get to play with those guys again someday. I hope everyone has a great holiday. I know that I am traveling a lot and so thankful to get to play again. The website needs a facelift and I have to find the time to do so. BTW I have mixed the 2nd set of Soul Society at Workplay. I just have to find the motivation to complete the project.
Take care and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
R
Click HERE for past news updates.
Hey Yall!!!!,
Hello friends, Well I guess you can tell by the lack of updates that I have been very busy and doing a little reassessing of my career. I am in my 3rd year as band director at Hartselle High School and it has been very rewarding. The first two years were very tough implementing my philosophy and direction of the program. Naturally I encountered a lot of obstacles and even some undermining internally which made the job unbearable at times. Now I am in my third year and can finally see the fruits of my labor and have enjoyed my job tremendously!!!! The staff seems to be on the same page and we are proactively working to provide the best musical experience for the students. I really enjoy the students in the program and the attitude has been awesome. Good attitudes, and hard work has brought our group overwhelming success during our marching season and the football team did great. I am very blessed to work with an outstanding head football coach Bob Godsey and we have a great working relationship. Historically band directors and coaches have been known to have “artistic differences” through the years but the two of us want what is best for the students. This year our band performed a disco show and received Best in Class honors at our contest and I could not be happier with the students work ethic. They were a total joy to work with.
This year I have decided to devote my time to the band program rather than my own stage time. I decided I wanted to see what I could do to ensure the best success for the students. I can tell you this was the right decision to make!!!! This sacrifice is still hard for me since I enjoy playing so much and I miss the stage time. I thought I would miss playing very much but it has not been so bad. Now when I play I have noticed it is harder for me to enjoy than it once was. There is part of me that still enjoys the experience, but my tolerance for mistakes is getting smaller. I can understand a student making mistakes, but when I am on stage I want to be in a utopian musical environment. My playing should be an escape from my everyday job encounters, yet that does not always happen. I cut back on booking jobs on the side and I have played fewer jobs than in previous years. This is due to personal choice and band downsizing. Now that football season is over I plan on playing a little more and have even talked to a couple of other bands to start playing with. I have booked a few gigs with Soul Society and the AGB’s own Ken Harper is playing drums. He is a great guy and a fine drummer.
Members of the AGB are still playing and I talk to some of the guys every couple of months. I hear things are going well for them and they have been working a lot more this year. Maybe I will get to play with those guys again someday. I hope everyone has a great holiday. I know that I am traveling a lot and so thankful to get to play again. The website needs a facelift and I have to find the time to do so. BTW I have mixed the 2nd set of Soul Society at Workplay. I just have to find the motivation to complete the project.
Take care and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
R
Click HERE for past news updates.