Good morning everyone. It’s contest day and I can’t sit still. I am anticipating the performance you will put on the field today and I can’t wait. The combination of all your talents and skills have come together in special form. Having been through it all, you have come out the other side stronger. And that is not exaggeration.
My mind is racing this morning with thoughts from mentors. I would like to share some with you.
- My high school director, Rodney Dasinger, was a musician’s musician. Without question the music was always the driving force and that has always stuck with me. The band quality of sound drives everything and makes everything better. Musicians, play musically and emotionally with control. The only heroes on this field are the ones who have the entire band sound in mind, not their own sound. Blend and balance and finishing phrases. Your power will come from sustain and balanced phrases. Play carefully without fear Warriors!
- Dr. Edd Jones, my college director, use to say this. “There are two kinds of people in this world; givers and takers”. There is no telling how many jokes have been made in his voice saying that phrase. But truer words have never been spoken. Look in a mirror students and ask yourself; am I a taker? or am I a giver? Are your motives selfish or are they for the good of the group? In your life do you give of yourself to others or are you constantly thinking “what’s in it for me?” Do some serious self evaluation and consider making a character change if needed. I can tell you this program is full of amazing givers! Students and Parents alike. But I can also tell you it isn’t 100%. Only you can fix yourself.
- The most important phrase right now in my mind is by Mr. Pat Stegall. “It’s not where you start but where you finish that matters”. In 2021, we started so far behind the 8 ball. It was obvious we had been through tough times and we were NOT the band we use to be. Rookies as far as the eye could see. But………look at you now. You have climbed K2 and only a few feet away from the summit……….the finish. I have never been more proud of a band in my entire career than this 2021-2022 marching band. I am as fired up about your performances as I have ever been. This is why I became a teacher and why I love my job, and why I love Muscle Shoals.
We have business to take care of.
