On the MENC Band Forum, MENC member David WK Johnson recently posted, "Musicians often say that they can tell how good or bad a conductor is even before he/she gives the first downbeat. The same is true of our students, and they are already wondering with great anticipation who their next band teacher is going to be."

Your first day at the new school has arrived. Tell your students what you expect and show them you are ready to lead by example.

During the fateful day:

Politeness is your friend. Greet your students with a smile. Shake their hand as they enter. Work to remember their names.

Go over the handbook. This is where you make clear your expectations for grades, attendance, dress and equipment. If there is an existing handbook, use that as a springboard. Make sure you know your own requirements enough to uphold them.

Familiarize yourself with each student. Ask them what they have been working on. Never say anything negative about the past teacher. Work on basic exercises out of a method book so you can walk around and check skill levels.

Stay positive. Patience is key. Try to improve one thing by the end of the class, but allow for long-term development.

Read Part One
Read Part Three

Continued in two weeks: After the fateful day.

Tips collected from the Band Forum.

—Paul Fergus, September 2, 2009. © MENC: The National Association for Music Education