That refers to a lot. A dependable musician prepares their music before rehearsal. A dependable musician can play whatever is needed of them. But mostly importantly, a dependable musician will be where they need to be when they commit.
Music students can sometimes have trouble being dependable. Who can blame them, at times, right? I mean, they're young, and they're busy! The amount of school work required for a college-bound middle or high school student is baffling. And then, they play sports as well. And they've got to have social time with friends and family...everyone needs that. Seriously.
And then there's their music activities...lessons, practice, out-of-school rehearsals. To most students, even those really involved in music, this kind of stuff can seem like a low priority. Good grades are extremely important, especially to parents. Sports take a lot of time and work. Social time is on everyone's mind. But music? It can easily take a back seat to all of that...not with every student, but a majority of them.
I deal with this on a normal basis. It's tough being a free-lance music teacher, particularly in this area, where the expectation for high-level musical excellence has been low for so many years. But I have many students who don't show up for lessons or rehearsals, after they have told me they were going to be there. Sometimes students don't show up for lessons and never contact me about it...proving my point about music being a low priority. I also have trouble with people being at brass ensemble rehearsals. I know when I was a high school student, I very much looked forward to every out-of-school rehearsal, concert and lesson. Of course, for me, music was the priority.
I have a lot of trouble coping with this. Many would agree that it isn't something I should have to cope with. But I try to be agreeable, and work with people. I try to be understanding. And I invite every teacher in my position to be that way. But when you have students who say they will play in your ensemble or show up at their scheduled lesson every week, shouldn't you make it very clear they need to be there? The bummer part is there's not much you can do about it. I can't fire them of give them a bad grade. And I don't want to be the guy known for kicking people out of his ensembles. I mean, when folks forget their lessons, they usually are willing to pay you for your time. But there's so much more than that. Missing a weekly lessons can mess up the flow of progress in students. And, it's obvious what the consequences are for you when you don't have everyone at rehearsals: you end up having parts missing.
The hard part for me is that I make arrangements for my brass ensembles and horn ensemble, specifying parts for individual players. And when those players don't show up, it's a huge loss for the ensemble.
So, to all of you student musicians (and I guess all musicians, for that matter), know that if you commit to an ensemble or teacher or whatever, know that they are really counting on you, no matter what, to show up every time. Rehearsals aren't just to help you get familiar with your part within the ensemble, but also to help others get familiar with your part. Simply put, if you say you'll be there, just be there. True for everything in life, but especially for music...which can be low on the priority list. In college I wasn't registered in every ensemble I played in, meaning that if I missed a rehearsal I wouldn't have any penalties. But even when I had a lot of homework, or had a huge research paper due at midnight, I still showed up for every rehearsal...because I said I would.
Am I saying that students need to be involved with every musical opportunity they have presented to them? Well, no of course not (although that would be nice). The stress here is being where you need to be once you've committed to the teacher or director that you would be there.
I depend on each and every one of my students...it breaks my heart when they don't show up, and really messes with my brain. It's hard to focus. Like I said, I struggle dealing with this. It's one of my poor qualities.
Take care and value music.