Excuses or little white lies are made every day when the stars are not lining up in our favor to attend what we really don’t want to attend. As not-so-responsible adults, when we spew forth those excuses in front of, or for our children, we are only teaching them to carry on the tradition and be less responsible.
To be part of a high school marching and concert band class, after-school rehearsals four days a week are rule-of-thumb with an occasional Saturday rehearsal thrown in for good measure. (pun intended) Kids don’t always want to be there. It’s hard work, hot during marching season, time consuming, and students, nor parents realize it’s important for a good performance. It can’t all get done in a forty-five minute class period five days a week if you want to be part of a superior band.
Now remember H doesn’t have a one hundred and fifty or even a seventy-five piece band. Only around thirty and that includes the color guard. Everyone basically plays a solo and when you’ve got one or two or three out of the equation, there’s a hole or two and missing instrumentation.
Saturday rehearsal in preparation for state band festival – 3 missing
H has heard many of these little white lies in the course of his teaching career. ‘The dog ate my homework’ doesn’t apply to band. The top three excuses he has heard, among many other questionable ones are listed below.
- FAMILY OBLIGATIONS – Mitchell won’t be able to be at rehearsal tomorrow. We have a prior family obligation.
- DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENTS – Sarah has a dental appointment this afternoon so she will not be attending rehearsal today.
- TOO MUCH HOMEWORK – Billy was absent yesterday from after-school rehearsal because he had a lot of school work he had to get done.
I could elaborate as to why these excuses aren’t feasible, but we will leave that for another post – WHY THESE 3 EXCUSES DON’T CUT IT.
Bet your bottom dollar they will all show up early or on time for the end-of-the-year trip!
A – Z Blogging Challenge – the letter N – NOT
~Elle
Finding Myself Through Writing 