We spent last Saturday watching high school bands on parade. What fun! Our two youngest grandchildren are part of their high school's marching band, and their band marched in a "Band Spectacular" in a nearby town. This photo is not of their band, but believe me, last Saturday all the kids from all those bands were stepping high and looking proud!
I came away thinking how much youngsters get out of learning to play their instruments and from being part of a band. For starters, here are some of them.
Think about it. *They learn to be under authority and to follow directions. *They learn to cooperate with others. *To put the good of the group ahead of what they personally want at the moment. *To concentrate on several things at once. *To follow the director's lead and be alert for instant changes. *To read the music and play their part of the composition. *To listen, so they don't get ahead or behind the rest of the group. *To do all of the above while simultaneously fingering/blowing/plucking/strumming/tapping/drumming, etc. *Members of marching bands must do all of the above with their music memorized, while also putting down the right foot, at the right time, in lock step with the rest of the band.
That's a lot to be gained from something that's also fun. Think how that kind of training and the useful skills developed can translate into the rest of life.
Good for you if your kids are involved in music! Maybe they're just beginning to learn their instrument. That means you're sentenced to squeaks and squawks, or incessant drumming, or the playing of musical scales. In the midst of the din, smile and pat yourself on the back. You're giving your youngsters a gift that will last them for life--and enrich every day. (By the way, don't forget to thank the music teachers and the band's director once in awhile.)
So hang in there when you're toting and chauffeuring your young people and their gear all over the place!
Lenore
Your comments welcomed! Any band stories to share?
