Individuals that are hired to start a band at a high school or college have the opportunity to develop their own type of band programs. This is beneficial to the director because he has the chance to make his own administrative and creative decisions. In many cases, the band director can develop his own musical curriculum as well, such as woodwind classes, string instrument classes and classes in writing music for instruments. Some of the considerations for a new band program might include developing a parent support organization, determining methods of fundraising and deciding which, if any, competitions the band will take part in throughout the year.
One of the primary reasons that band directors elect to fundraise is so that band members can attend competitions. This is beneficial to the band director because in some cases cash awards may be offered, as well as trophies for performance that bring attention to the band program. Consequently, the more well known a band is, the greater opportunity for the band director to obtain funding for the organization. In addition, bands that consistently perform well in competitions may eventually be asked to perform for special local, state and national events.
Band directors that lead exemplary bands may be asked to perform in local, state and national parades, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or for special political functions, such as inaugurations. For the Macy's Parade, band directors must submit a DVD performance of the band to be considered, while political and other events are by invitation only. These types of events are beneficial to the band director because he has the ability to set the standard for other bands within the community, or throughout a particular grade level. As a result the band director may then be asked to collaborate with other noted band directors in and out of academia, leading to future career possibilities.
A band director has the opportunity to collaborate with other band directors at various stages of his career. In so doing, the band director has the benefit of continuing to learn his craft through sharing ideas and working on special projects with peers. For example, a band director may decide to collaborate with a band director of another school to present a performance, or work with professional band directors to teach students about their craft after they have completed their education.