If there are those who still read this, I must applaud you, for I have not been the most consistent, but I feel that the events of tonight warrant some thoughtful reflection.
For many years, I always thought it odd that most high school bands only play 3 concerts a year. I attribute this, primarily, to the fact that it takes most high school bands a little longer to attain the level of musicianship that is easier for more advanced groups. But recently, my thoughts on this have changed. Not that I think we should play more concerts a year, but that the limited amount of performances might actually have some benefits.
First, the anticipation is greater and the sense of accomplishment more fulfilling when there are fewer performance opportunities. I remember playing three concerts every semester in college. While the musicianship was at a much higher level, I never felt as musically rewarded as I did in high school, or even feel now. Secondly, there is less planning and logistical chaos with less concerts. Parents have to wash shirts less. Tuxedos and dresses need to be dry cleaned less. But all of this pales in comparison to the thought that has been dominating my mind over the past few days; concerts are merely an outward expression of a relationship that has been building for far longer than one night. When I was in middle and high school, I played trombone with two guys named Matt and Jesse. We sat next to each other for seven straight years. We knew exactly what each other sounded like and how to play to benefit each others tone. I remember my last concert in high school, not necessarily because it was a fine musical performance, which it was, but because it was the culmination of a unique relationship that could never be duplicated in any other environment. Band brought Jesse, Matt, and I together and kept us that way for 7 years. I have not really spoken to either since graduation. I know that Matt went to Case Reserve to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering, but I'm not quite sure what Jesse ever did. No matter, for 7 years, we shared a bond that only other musicians would understand. For 50 minutes every day, we were one, we breathed together, phrased together, and enjoyed each others music. This is what it's about. What is music if not a great binding agent of humanity? Why participate in any artistic pursuit if it doesn't bring you closer to those around you? This is why we play, because we want to stay connected to that unbreakable bond, that glue that holds us together during sixth hour every day. I hope that this sheds some light on band in Springport. After all, music is an art, not a finite, definite answer kind of thing, it's a beautiful conversation, meant for only the closest of friends and family. I love what I do!
With our performance last Saturday evening in DeWitt, the Springport Marching Band closes out it's 2010 season. I consider this season to be a success, but in different ways that in years past. To start, we tried music that was out of our comfort level. There were more notes to memorize and it wasn't music that we were familiar with. Heck, sometimes it didn't even get stuck in your head the way Bon Jovi or Queen had done in previous shows. Instruments had to play in more vast ranges, sometimes incredibly uncomfortable ones, and the band was pushed in musical ways we have not been pushed before. Simply making it through the season without falling on our faces is reason enough for me to be happy. But this isn't the success I'm most proud of. This band embraced this show, whether they liked the music or not. I did not hear complaining about music that was too difficult or drill that was unattainable; they simply accepted their task and worked as hard as they could to be as great as possible. No matter the results you achieve, when this mentality is embraced by the group and not just by a few select individuals, success has been found. I know I sound like a broken record, but I could not be more proud of this group of individuals. I hope that everyone had as much fun listening and watching as we had performing.
One week down, many more to go. This week saw the beginning of another great year in the middle school bands as well as the second performance (first in uniform) of the high school marching band.
The sixth grade played their first note this week; always an exciting day. For a video, complete with audio, make sure to check out the media section of the webpage and enjoy the first note of the class of 2017. I am really excited about this group as they have already shown themselves to be disciplined, great listeners, and excited musicians.
The 7th and 8th grades are back in the process of getting their lips in shape after a long summer off. I expect only improvements on the success they found last year.
Last night, the high school marching band gave their first performance in uniform. There must be something about putting on that polyester, because the band that performed last night had not relation to the show last Thursday. What an improvement!!!! Even if you didn't see the show last night, just talking to the students about it and seeing the exhileration in their eyes and hearing it in their voices is enough to swell me up with pride. This week, we start to put the final piece of the show onto the field.
Stay tuned for further successes.
Last Thursday night, the high school marching band gave our premiere performance of the new season. In my 5 years in Springport, last Thursday's performance was a first in many ways for this band. to start, this is the first show that we have done that most of our audience will not be familiar with. Second, if you ask a member of the marching band, most of them will say that the performance was a bit "shaky". Our confidence was a little low and I think we freaked out a little. That being said, there were some great high points of the show. To start, any mistake we made, we recovered from very well!!! Second, anyone who was at the band camp performance will say, rightly so, that this band has already come a long way. None of these, however, are what I am taking away from Thursday night. I am taking away the evidence of steadily rising standards. Every year, we raise the bar and in doing so, our students take more leadership of THEIR organization and show me exactly what they want their band to look and sound like. After all, this is THEIR group not mine. I don't get to play the instruments, or march, or perform, I must sit lonely in the press box while they to get have all the fun! However, one of the parts of education I enjoy the post is the leadership I see students take when they discover what they are capable of. These next weeks are going to be that crucial time where this band decides how hard we want to push ourself. Pay attention to the next couple of shows, because if I know my kids, you are going to see some great improvement, and the greatest part about it is that it will have come from within themselves.
This is also the first week of school and with that a new era in middle school band. Every year, I have trouble sleeping the night before the first day of school. Call me childish, but I have 30 things running through my head and can never get a good night's rest. It has never hampered me, though, as the adrenaline is enough for me on that first day. At peak importance for me is a great first week in 6th grade band. The first few days of 6th grade band are some of my favorite of the whole year. It's such a great time with unlimited possibilities and potentials. Only time will tell where these 6th graders will take their musical talents.
More to come later. Stay tuned for the exciting details of week one.
I've had the privilege this past week of working with another high school band that is taught by a good friend of mine. This band is in a district smaller than Springport (by almost half) and so the band is also smaller (around 20 kids). Let me preface this by saying that I grew up in suburbia. My high school band ranged from 115 to 130 kids and I graduated with almost 250. Until being hired in Springport, I had never even worked with a band under 70 kids. That being said, I have learned a great lesson over the past 5 years and I felt it again this past week. The lesson I've learned is that there is a pride inherent in smaller schools that is not always there in larger ones. I remember high school and not really caring about my school the way I see Springport students care out theirs. I had plenty of friends that didn't get involved in anything, never went to a sporting event, never went to a dance, and worst of all, liked it that way. On the other hand, I had friends who did one thing and one thing only, whether that was a sport, band, choir, drama, etc. They never really branched out and so missed out on a lot of cool opportunities. I don't see that in Springport. Everyday I see a pride that I haven't seen before in who we are as a community and as a school. I see a genuine caring about representing our district whenever a group of students goes on a field trip. I see determination and grit in the way we persevere and don't stop until we have reached our goal. These qualities cannot be taught. They are inherent to a community instilled by parents, coaches, teachers, and role models of all sorts. I guess what I'm really trying to say is "thank you". Thank you for all you've ever taught me without even knowing. Thank you for showing me what pride and schools spirit really are. Thank you for dispelling any stereotypes I ever had about small schools. Thank you for embracing our band and what we stand for.
I was asking a student from the band I worked with this week, "Why don't more people do band here?" Without hesitation, he replied "Because they are afraid of being awesome!" I smiled when he said it, but I smiled even bigger on the ride home when I realized what he was really trying to say. Band is amazing! It is a community unto itself and the good ones are a community of excellence. If you don't want to be AWESOME, find another organization to be a part of, because we do not settle for good.
We are the Springport Bands, and we are AWESOME!!!
Well chalk up another band camp in the archives. It was a great week! The weather cooperated and the kids worked hard. A special thank you to all those who helped out this week including the large number of band boosters that donated food and their time so that our students could enjoy their lunches and snack breaks. While I must admit that I am glad the week is over, I am also renewed in my excitement for the coming year. The difficulty and untested elements of our show will definitely provide many challenges for this group, but that's what we live on and when you think about it, isn't the fun part conquering new challenges? This is an AMAZING group of students, the best I've had in my tenure at Springport, and I truly believe that there is nothing that they won't achieve given the standard they set this past week. Stay tuned to this group. I guarantee you won't be dissappointed.
Today was the first rehearsal of the 2010 Springport colorguard. For those who just don't know, our previous colorguards have hovered around 7 or 8 members, but definitely no larger. This year I tried a new approach and told anyone that showed a true desire and was willing to commit the time, they were more than welcome in colorguard. To my shock, and to be honest, fear, 16 girls said that this was something they wanted to do. For the entire summer, I have been worrying about what 16 girls, varying in age and experience, could effectively do or not do on a marching field. After today's rehearsal, I must say that I am no longer worried. While there is still a great deal to be learned, I am already proud of this colorguard. I am %100 positive that they will do this band and this community justice and I only look forward to unleashing them on the football crowds where they will make their debut. It is great, as a teacher, to be proven right in your beliefs, but sometimes its even better to be proven wrong. Way to go guard!!
"Do it again" he shouts from his perch. As his students give a great big "ugh", they reluctantly walk back to the spot they were standing only seconds ago. Yep, it's band camp.
In truth, I'm actually excited about camp this year. Just as in years past, band camp gives us an opportunity to set the standard for the year and the prove to ourselves what we are capable of. With the biggest band to date (61), I'm sure this camp will provide new challenges as well as opportunities. We have the biggest colorguard I've ever seen on a class D band along with a bolstered drumline (thank you PTA for the new drum). We have 3 drum majors instead of 2, and in our marching this year, we are actually going in back of the front hash mark and outside the 35 yard line. Here we come world, we are the Springport Spartan Marching Band. Don't judge us by our school size or any other misconception you may have because we are not your average band.
So as I'm getting mentally prepared for whats going to happen in a couple weeks, I always remind myself that I have no interest in ever being "good". "Good" is the sworn enemy of "great", and "great" is all I'm ever interested in. It's a good thing that I teach in a community with kids that feel the exact same way.
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