Job satisfaction and stress among band directors

Public-school band directors completed a survey in which they were asked to rank-order 10 factors according to their contribution to the directors' sense of job satisfaction. Respondents also rated another set of 10 factors on the degree of stress they experienced in conjunction with these factors. Students were reported to be sources of both high satisfaction and high stress. Parental and administrative support were also considered sources of job satisfaction. Spouses were most often chosen as the primary source of support when directors coped with job-related stress. Overall, the data indicated that strong positive interpersonal relationships between directors and students, parents, administrators, and other faculty could increase the level of job satisfaction experienced by public-school band directors. © 1996 by Music Educators National Conference.