The Band Director's

"Soap Box"

Musicians enjoy a common but unattainable goal of perfection. There are always wrong notes to correct, phrases to be shaped, greater dynamics to achieve, and an ongoing list of improvements to develop a better language of personal expression. In the midst of all these busy activities, we must find time to inform students and parents about the reasons we have band in the first place. It is more than just an entertainment group which shows up at various athletic events, marches in the local parade, and plays select concerts during the year on appropriate holidays. As a music educator, we must make it our responsibility to inform others that band is an art form. By doing so, there will be clearer understanding of why we have band in our school curriculum.

The following condensed outline has helped us in this important communication, and we offer a copy for your perusal.

Why Band? was written by Dr. Tim Lautsenheiser, a truly gifted educator, musician and humorist. He has had a profound impact on music education in America - mostly through his highly effective Band Leadership Workshops that I and many of my students have attended over the last several years.

This condensed outline is intended primarily for School Adminstrators and Board of Education members, but is interesting reading for all persons interested in BANDS.

WHY BAND?

Band is intrinsic. As with all art, it is about expressing oneself via a different and unique language. Much of academia is impressionistic, which requires a definitive skill of following instructions. Band adds to that requirement the option of self-expression.

Band is group effort. Members are required to shift from an I/Me reasoning to a We/Us concept. This means extending oneself beyond the normal considerations of much of our day-to-day living. Instead of the logic being, what's in it for me, it becomes, what's in it for us? The values of cooperation, communication, concentration, correlation, and completion come into play each rehearsal and performance.

Band builds positive self-worth. Although we share many similarities with our athletic counterparts, BAND is a place for everyone. Rarely is a person serving as an alternate or substitute. Everyone in the band plays a starting role, there are no "benchwarmers" in the band.

Band is preparation for life. Through the discipline of MUSIC, we are developing a consistent understanding between the intellectual (cognitive) and emotional (affective) thought processes. Band allows the person to create formulas and pathways (and not just solutions) that are directly transferable to other facets of life.

Although these four points may seem lofty in character, they make up the fundamental framework of our band program. As an administrator, you are faced with many questions concerning the various aspects of our school curriculum. Hopefully, this brief overview will give you a first-hand look at the foundation that supports our musical education program.

The band room door is always open to you. Join us at any time, and thank you for helping us as we continue our journey toward musical excellence.

Musically yours,

Rosemount High School Band Staff