Trust Yourself: Embracing New Roles in Marching Band Season

As we are getting prepped for summer rehearsals and band camp, or maybe we just finished up a "kick off" camp, I want to offer a thought for the new season for everyone. Trust yourself. This is something everyone can benefit from but is really important for people taking on new roles, specifically new teachers, students and leaders. It is also something I struggled with early on in my teaching career.

You will hear alot to "Trust the Process." That is a great saying, but it very hard to trust the process when you don't trust yourself or those around you. Below are some of the things I have seen people stuggle with when entering into new roles.

Hands in for the team!

For new teachers, there is a reason you were hired. You have something the students need, and can provide that. All to often I watch new teachers operate at a lower level than when they were a performer. I totally get it. As a performer you are only responsible for you and your own success. As a teacher you are responsible for so much more. That responsiblity does negate the information you have. Trust that you have everything you need to be successful, and the rest will fall into place. Students can also sniff out insecurity, and trusting you will be harder if you don't trust yourself.

For new students (freshmen, transfer students, later joiners), trust the people around you. They have your best interest in mind. Everyone communicates differently. Don't read in to someone who doesn't communicate in a way that you are use to. Maybe they are louder than you like, or more direct than you like. They are on your team. We all do band to help elevate ourselves and those around us. Having trust, and belief, in the people around you (especially your teachers) makes you more teachable. As a teacher, the more teachable a student is the more we want to teach them.

New students, also trust your previous training. You were chosen to play that instrument for a reason. Your teachers can see you be successful in that position. Maybe not right away and not everyday. That doesn't mean you don't belong. I have watched students have hard days, and even hard weeks. That happens when you are chasing something new. It doesn't make it, or you, bad. Put in the work and trust the skills/training you have. Be teachable to build on, and refine, that training but there is a reason you are in the position.

For new leaders...you don't have to have all the answers. People will trust you more if you can say "hey I don't know but let me find out for you." Trust the knowledge you have. Trust that you belong. As I said to new teachers, students can sniff out insecurity. You don't have to right, you just have to be a great human. Great people want to follow great people. Ask questions, be teachable, and grow into your role just like you did when you were a freshmen learning to march for the first time. Beginning/new students are encouraged to grow, new leaders should take that same mindset.

For everyone - Of course, trust the process...it works. Where the process breaks down, in my experience, isn't the process or the trust in the process. But it breaks down in the individuals who don't trust themselves enough to commit to the process. It might be a different way of doing things. Adapt and grow. Are you the same as you were when you started Kindergarten? How about the same as when you started Middle School? Do you want to be the same in 10 years as you are now? The answer is probably not. This is just another opporunity to develop your trust and grow into a version of yourself that you want to be.

As we start the new season, think about what it is that you want to get out of the season. Not just to make the band better, but what do YOU want. Both teachers and students. It can better better relationships with those around you. It can be to work harder than you have ever worked before. It can be anything but band (and everything) will be more enjoyable when you have a personal attachment to it.