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NORTH BRANCH SR.

Teacher: Ben Firkus

unfair for the band students

Teacher Complaint About: North Branch Sr. - Ben Firkus

Teacher Complaint: Ben Firkus - North Branch Sr.

My band teacher was really unfair in the way he scored the playing test. Ive played my instrument for 9 almost 10 years and he did these playing tests. and there were the scales on it and he gave me all 6's and one 4 out of 10. I KNOW MY SCALES INSIDE AND OUT! IVE KNOWN THEM SINCE I WAS IN 4TH GRADE. and the only reason im staying in band my senior year is b/c the colloge im going to told me i'll get a scholarship. he doesnt know how to relate to the kids. he thinks we are the Mn orchestra. We arent. we are bands from a small town. It is very stressful. he NEVER gives us compliments. he is always telling us what we do wrong. its not fair. and he puts all of us down. Except his favorites!! His favorites dont even really like him. So many people have dropped band i'm surprised that there is gonna be a band program next year. i worked hard for the last 9 years to be 1st chair and to be section leader. he doest do "chairs" b/c its not fair to everyone. As for section leader he again chose his favorites. that makes me mad! its not fair. i feel like i shoudlnt even try anymore..i used to lovve going to band and playing my flute...now i cant stand going to that class anymore. and playing my flute is not even fun anymore. this teacher was new this year. i have had a different teacher every year i played except my freshman and sophmore year. so i'm used to new teachers. but this is the not at the top of my list. he singles people out and thats embarrasing. Not everyone can get up in front of a band of 50 or 60 people and play a performance. thats a way to get a kids confidence up...NOT! Its not ok the things he does. and he said he doesnt understand why people are dropping band.

Other Complaints About: NORTH BRANCH SR.

3 Comments       Leave comment to complaint below

Anonymous
Anonymous
May 06 2010, 01:15:12 PM

I don't think that he is unfair, 6's for a high school player are great! 10's are the equivalent of a professional of 20 years or more! He does not single people out in fact he does the very opposite, the most he narrows it down is by section. The reason you can't be first chair all the time is because you can learn so much by playing different parts, yes I'm sure you worked hard, so did a lot of people in your section, they deserve to try out first chair as well its not all about you. Lighten up a little he's a different person than Zumwalde and this is his first time teaching (he was co-director before)he will figure things out, its probably just as stressful for him as it is for you. True we are not a pro orchestra, but whats wrong with trying our butts off to get as close to that level as possible. College is just going to be harder, and he is trying to prepare people for that. Knowing that you can improve (getting 6 out of 10), that you understand 2nd and 3rd parts to know how to fit your part in, and having a band teacher to push you to become great, will make you a better, more well informed part of a group.

Dr. Charles Ayers, Ph.D
Teacher In Complaint
May 06 2010, 01:15:34 PM

It sounds alot like you just don't want to do the work anymore. I've been a band instructer for years and it sounds like you are rather privilaged. To have a band instructor that pushes you to be as extraordinary as the Minnesota Orchestra (one of the top in the nation) is quite inspiring and it sounds as though there should be more band directors of such impressive calibur. It sounds to me as if public school students need to learn to be a little more apreciative of what they HAVE. Public education funding, unfortunatly, is rather scarse.

mike/will
A Student
Dec 09 2010, 01:15:10 PM

Quit whining Firk is the bees knees. Grow up pansy and push yourself.

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