With selection of next year’s bands and leadership positions being posted, I annually send this out with some thoughts regarding decisions. With the many talented students we teach, it is always a challenge to place students. Before you view results, please keep these things in mind:
- We care about you.
- We are as fair to each student as we can possibly be.
- Our staff is here for the betterment of every student.
- We are hired to give every student the best musical advice and experience that we can possibly give.
- Every single student is important, one person alone does not make a band. To make our band work, one person is part of a greater whole. We have many students, all with different backgrounds, knowledge, skills, work ethic, etc.
- Students’ careers in music are always in a state of flux. We only take a snapshot through auditions to capture progress in that moment.
- Students are always in a state of flux. Position or title does not always determine potential.
- Sometimes, the lessons we don’t want to hear are the ones we must learn. They prepare us for life.
- Reactions to results should be professional. Celebrate or mourn away from others.
- Do not tell anyone their placement. Everyone deserves the chance to discover the results just as you did.
- If you did your best, that is all you can do. You can only control your level of effort.
- If you have questions, you can come talk with us. No emails will be addressed unless the student has spoken with us personally.
- We will discuss only YOU and YOUR progress, and we will be honest with you because…….
- We care about you.
I auditioned for drum major and section leader twice in my high school career, but never got it. I grew stronger from that experience, reevaluated myself, and worked to become a drum major my junior year in college. I would not trade those minor defeats for the major victories I now enjoy.
-TH