Monday, October 3, 2022
It's that magical time of the year!! That time of the year where it feels like the walls are starting to close in. "GET THAT CLOSER ON THE FIELD!!!" "WHY CAN'T THE CLARINETS BE IN TIME?!" "I NEED 14 MORE VISUAL THINGS!!" The list can seemingly be endless, and the clock seems to be spinning like in the movies. In the midst of this chaos the pressure of the "PRIZE" seems to drive everything in our psyche. It adds pressure to YOU and the kids, the parents, and the staff. This activity we love (and often love to hate) can take years off our lives but it shouldn't.
In my personal journey as an educator, I went through many different "mindsets and priorities" with each program as I grew in the profession. It wasn't until my daughter was a member of my high school band that I TRULY saw who I was teaching. I knew this situation and that one, but dropping her off at various friends' houses, I was astounded to see that the "kid who is all good" was living in the literal middle of a field in a trailer. I then heard (from my daughter) of the rifle soloist who was living IN HER CAR!!! I literally had no clue. For all the kids that "rehearsed like junk," for the longest time I forgot to ask myself... WHY?!
So, the "keeping your eye on the prize" just shifted. It took on an entirely new definition. The prize was no longer about WINNING or being in the top whatever--it was now WINNING FOR THAT STUDENT!! My staff and I were going to make this experience that these kids were sacrificing so much for the best part of their day, and I was committed to making each of them feel special and loved. It's so easy to forget this when the pressure cooker gets truly boiling.
As you go down the road this season, keep your eye on the prize!! Create the best possible environment for your kids! You create your definition of success for your program and for your kids--and SHARE IN THAT SUCCESS. Winning the contest is NOT a tangible goal, although is one we all strive for. The real attainable goal is that this run is better than the last one, that part 3 is stronger today than yesterday, that the Woodwind feature is BETTER today and closer to being realized. CREATE THAT SUCCESS.
As I now have the opportunity to be in front of more bands visiting rehearsals it's amazing how those little words of noticing a difference mean so much! I had an experience in the recent past judging a show (many states away from our area, so I'm not talking about anyone here) that literally tore me to my core. I was judging on the field (Individual Music), and following the show, I was walking by the Front Ensemble as they were tearing down and the soprano sax soloist was gathering her things. I paused my recorder and talked to her. "Hey, you did a GREAT JOB today! I really like your sound and you shaped things great", etc. I finish and we fist bump, and she is now crying. I asked her if she was OK, thinking maybe I said something that came out wrong. She just looked at me with tears and said "THANK YOU. No one has told me anything and especially not that it is good...", and she gave me a hug. On that day, her band did not WIN the contest but she "won the prize."
Take the time each and every day to appreciate and take in what you get the privilege to be a part of. Watch the kids and celebrate even the smallest achievements with them. You have parents who you get to share their child with in one of the most special times of their lives; savor it. Enjoy every "booster burger" and share the success of their kids WITH THEM. And most of all, take time to step back and just watch it all!! It's magical and people watch us all with amazement.
And most of all: KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE!!!
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Mr. Marc Mueller joined the Palen Music Team in July of this year. Immediately prior he was Director of Bands at Southwestern Oklahoma State University since the fall of 2011. At SWOSU he was the Conductor of the SWOSU Wind Symphony and the Pride of the Great Southwest Marching Band. In addition, he taigjt courses in Instrumental Conducting, Wind Band Literature, Instrumental Music Pedagogy and Instrumental Methods as well as Student Teacher Preparation and Supervision. Prior to his appointment at Southwestern, he served as Director of Bands at Moore High School for 22 years. Under his leadership the Moore program consistently earned the highest of honors. The program competed nationally and was named a Bands of America Grand National Championship Semi Finalist on three different occasions and was an OBA State Championship Finalist for 21 consecutive years. |
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