We Ain't Done Yet!
How is the marching band season going? Hopefully everyone is hanging in there. This season has felt like a long one. We are also in the last month now, or month and a week if you are going to Grand Nationals. This is where we all, staff and students, start to experience a little burnout, a little "over it"-ness, and sometimes a little apathy.
When I start to experience these feelings, I have to ask myself if I have gotten everything I want out of the season. Yes! You read that right. "Have I (ME) gotten everything I want out of the season?" Or is it time to get the hands dirty and dig in more?
All educators do this activity for the students, but we also do it because we love it. Otherwise, most people wouldn't spend this much time away from their families, or in the heat, or on a bus, or in rehearsal on something that pays pennies per hour (in most places). We are all crazy for doing this thing, but we come into it wanting something.
I want to hear my students play better than they every have before and I want to challenge myself to be the very best version of myself I can be. Most years, only 1 of those things happen. Sometimes, neither do. That is totally fine, because it is the chase (and progress) that makes it worth it. Some years you graduate a huge senior class and the next year is focused on individual improvement. Maybe that ensemble isn't the cleanest ever (goal 1), but the individual student is better than they have been (goal 1A). Sometimes the ensemble young, and they don't challenge me as a teacher because they aren't ready to be at that level (goal 2). So then goal 2 becomes, how fast can I get them to a level of strong fundamentals.
Every year, I have the same goals but each year is a new adventure. That is what makes it exciting and frustrating at the same time.
Students, you should have goals for yourself too? My feet will be in time this year. Or... I will play and march the entire show this year. Or... I will make more friends this year. A totally acceptable goal as long as keep the social aspect and the "business" aspect of band in balance.
All too often, I watch students go "my goal is to make X instrument" or "my goal is to be section leader." Those are great goals, but they get accomplised so early in the season. What is your "NOW" goal? Do you have one? If not, get one FAST. It could be, "my feet won't be slow in sets 7-9 anymore." It could be, "I will keep my taps down." It could be, "I will play the check of the roll in time every time."
Something has to be driving you, or this time of year feels like it is forever long and boring.
So if you are feeling it because we are almost to the end... "Have you gotten everything you want out of this season?" We ain't done yet!
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