chelsea cookRecently a picture was posted on Facebook which, for all my long time friends and “no-longer” students, could see that the world has not really changed. It was a picture of a T-shirt I wish I had and reads: “The football team will be playing before and after tonight’s featured performance of the marching band’s halftime show.” Those people who know me know that this was and is my philosophy.Football is important to those who pay homage to our national sports obsession but it does not rule the whole world. Band is an intellectual stimulating exercise and such a mentally building block for the mind that those who have never participated in music will overlook its benefits.
One benefit to me is the closeness and friendship a school band director develops with his/her students. I recently asked a retired band director (there is NO such thing as a “former” good band director) about his opinion of band and students. His views are probably the standard for most good band directors.
“At first there seems to be no joy but,as you continue teaching but you see them come along and you feel encouraged as they progress through the months and years and they become good musicians and they can reward you by the things they do and the things that bring recognition and you are with them all the time. The rewards can come later.
“Even during school days it is very rewarding to see the advancement of kids. After they graduate and have their own endeavors, they say, “Did you know you were very affective to my life? I was very shy and had no confidence and you helped greatly to build my confidence. I will be forever grateful.”
He continued, “And then rewards are there when students are gone and do something real good and they remember they got part of that attitude from band class and a lot of it from you. So you feel you have done your work in life.”
Having talked to several retired school band teachers, I almost always get that reaction. The band teachers are always glad to see their former students and, usually the students are happy to see the person they shared so many good times and hard work with. Make no mistake, proper learning of band is hard work and not many can accomplish it. Many people think just blowing into a horn or beating on a drum is easy because “anyone can blow on that thang and make a noise.” While that hillbilly statement is very close to true, not everyone can blow (or beat) a musical instrument and make music. Even fewer can get up each day for years on end and lead groups of juveniles all striving for the same goal.
“Back in the day, I started students on band instruments in the fifth grade. I took them all the way to high school graduation. We got to know each other pretty well. It is doubtful that the students knew how I looked forward to that very first meeting after the summer break. There was an excitement and feeling that, since it deals with emotions, is almost impossible to describe. It is doubtful the high school students even knew they were in great anticipation to see how this band year would unfold. I was convinced then, and still am today, that I had the best kids in the school.
One selling point to learning as much music as one can, is that it stimulates the brain. One study of brain activity states: “Music stimulates various parts of the brain, making it an effective therapeutic or mood-altering tool. Music’s pitch, rhythm, meter and timbre are processed in various parts of the brain ranging from the prefrontal cortex to the hippocampus to the parietal lobe. Rhythm and pitch are primarily left brain hemisphere functions, while timbre and melody are processed primarily in the right hemisphere.  (Wheew!)All that to say music is really good for you.
During marching season, we did a different show each week. The kids memorized new music and new routine drills for each show. That is not true today as most bands learn one show and take the season to learn to do it. I don’t think I could stand to do the same thing over and over. The brain activity went along with the physical activity of having to be absolutely precise in their movements and placement on the field. They learned to concentrate and stay focused.
Seeing the students as they did things to the best of their ability and play a concert with almost professional quality was almost enough to make up for the lack of pay and respect the State of Oklahoma gives teachers. Would I do it again?  In half a heart beat.