2a. Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport

Creating a safe environment in any ensemble is crucial to its success as music making is such a personal form of expression.  One of my objectives as a conductor and teacher is to know every student in my room, and therein support them as best I can.  I greet every student at the door daily and also say goodbye to every student daily.  I have an open door policy with my students, and they know they can come and talk to me if there is ever an issue.  Aside from teacher-student interaction I also try to encourage student-to-student interaction.  I constantly push team building and group work within a section, resulting in conversing with one another in an effort to pinpoint problem areas and areas of potential improvement.