No... I haven't ever done anything goofy with a flute (that I remember). However, on these HOT Summer days, I find myself thinking back on hot experiences and the first one that comes to mind was the High School Marching Band camp which was always this time of year.
It's hard to believe that was well over 20 years ago now. My mind still thinks I am 21... but the mirror (and my aches and pains) tell me a completely different story.
Anyway.... As I think back, I remember the band directors reminding us not to lock our knees, for fear we will pass out on the field... I remember the older boys checking out the new Freshmen girls who are now in band... I remember the freshmen ALL checking out the upper class boys and girls!! We worked hard, we put in long days... and by the time school started, we had a show to put on the field.
I learned a lot in band. It wasn't all about music. We learned about teamwork, discipline, and I learned the consequences of not keeping my mouth shut when the director is talking... but that is another story. When you are trying to make over 100 kids play music, make formations and not kill each other by cramming their instruments up various crevices in the body.... you have to teach them to work as a team. This ability to work with others to accomplish a larger goal has taken the kids I marched with a long way. Yeah the heat in the Summer was brutal, and the mornings toward the end of season were wet and cold... but somewhere between the heat stroke and frost bite, strong friendships were forged, and the end result, after 4 years was many successful adults ready to hit the next stage of their lives running.
Many lessons from the marching field should be heeded in meeting rooms and offices in adulthood. These include, but are not limited to:
- Don't be the loudest one in the group, unless you have been told it is your day to shine. Otherwise, nobody will ever want to listen to you.
- Know where you are going and what it takes to get there. If you are off in real life, you may not get run over by the Tuba player or base drum line, but you may feel like it.
- If everyone else around you has shifted slightly, and a slight shift on your behalf will result in a better outcome, shift slightly to reach that outcome. But if the whole line is wrong and you know you are right and your shifting will cause a larger problem... be sure to stand there proudly... just be darned sure you are right.
- Things aren't always going to go exactly as planned... Rain will come when you need sunshine, cold will come when you need warmth... but if you plan ahead and hang in there, in the end...everything will come together and you can help your team shine!!
If you have kids, I strongly recommend you let your kids get involved in SOMETHING, whether it be sports, band, choir, theatre... anything outside the classroom that is legal. It requires more time from them and from you (as Taxi Driver) but in the end, the kids learn how to be successful members of society, not just high school graduates.
If you ARE a kid... get out there and join something... you will learn a lot.. and make a few friends along the way!
