There are many things to learn in any situation, as long as your mind is open.
I find that marching band is one of the situations in college that has taught me the most about myself as well as how to work with others to get things done. Through my time as a section leader, music librarian, uniform manager, and drum major-in-training, I have seen many sides of how an organization works and how each puzzle piece fits together. I won't tell you everything I've learned through my time in marching band, but I will outline a few.
Trombone Section Leader
Trombone players are a breed of their own. No one ever quite understands how trombone players work, unless you are one. As trombone section leader, my goal was to form a group of boys (with a few girls) into a coherent, strong, contributing section. Each year as section leader, I learned how to convince freshmen in college that we must work together and listen to each other to accomplish the most. I gained insight into how to motivate members intrinsically, rather than through force. By creating a section that wanted to sound good and wanted to get better, the trombone section became one of the strongest in the band. I learned the necessity of communication. If I forgot to post a reminder to the section about a change of events, someone was going to be lost and frustrated, including the section leaders! Communication is the key to a smoothly-running section and a highly-functioning band. Each member of my sections taught me something new about myself each year. I look forward to my future career with a number of musicians that will continue on a legacy of excellence.
Music Librarian
Music librarian is a tough job, and one that receives little recognition throughout the year. Music librarians must prepare a full set of music for each member of the marching band, ensuring that each section has correct distribution of parts and no music missing BEFORE the start of band camp in August. If it sounds like a daunting task, you are correct. Through two years of this experience, I learned the value of teamwork and delegation. If each person does not contribute and if tasks are not distributed, the flip folders would never be ready in time for band members to use them. All music librarians can contribute a great deal and will work together as a coherent team. I also learned (the hard way) about organization. With over 2,000 titles in the music library, an organized system must be in place to find a piece, prepare parts, and distribute it to band members in a timely fashion. My biggest learning curve was when the directors would ask the music librarians to have a piece prepared an hour before rehearsal began. We would be in a fury in the music library, copying, cutting, and separating music for 250 members in less than an hour. Organization and collaboration. That's what I have gained in drastic proportions through my time as Music Librarian.
Uniform Manager
Uniforms are worn weekly by 250 marching band members. They must be clean, polished, fitted, and in their proper place to make for a smooth transition on game days. I have learned the importance of a proper-fitting uniform to make the band look flashy. At the beginning of the year, uniform managers must have all members fitted in uniforms and uniform parts (black shirt, shako, plumes, gloves, shoes, ball caps, polo shirts) handed out. The head uniform manager prepares a list of each member and their uniform size, as well as which raincoat the member would wear in case of a rainy game. This is a lot of information and I have gained a lot of insight into how to organize large amounts of information and the importance of having a unified system for members so that everything runs smoothly.
Drum Major-In-Training
I believe this position has given me the greatest deal of preparation for my job as a music educator. In addition to being a section leader and working on the communication and musical side of the band, being a drum major-in-training (DMiT) brought me into the preparation and planning side of the band. Drum Majors worked with me, both individually and as a team, to prepare me to take the position of Drum Major. I learned the proper conducting style, whistle commands, field commands, how to run a game, and preparation for travel. There is a lot that goes into every organization that the average member never sees, but benefits from. Being a DMiT taught me not to take for granted the little things provide for me or done for me so that my day runs without a glitch. Drum Majors prepared bus lists, room lists, meal times, field etiquette, rookie day, leadership camp, and many, many more events which make the band a well-oiled machine. I am honored to take the spot of Drum Major in this upcoming season and to continue the legacy the previous drum majors have left behind.
Trombone Section Leader
Trombone players are a breed of their own. No one ever quite understands how trombone players work, unless you are one. As trombone section leader, my goal was to form a group of boys (with a few girls) into a coherent, strong, contributing section. Each year as section leader, I learned how to convince freshmen in college that we must work together and listen to each other to accomplish the most. I gained insight into how to motivate members intrinsically, rather than through force. By creating a section that wanted to sound good and wanted to get better, the trombone section became one of the strongest in the band. I learned the necessity of communication. If I forgot to post a reminder to the section about a change of events, someone was going to be lost and frustrated, including the section leaders! Communication is the key to a smoothly-running section and a highly-functioning band. Each member of my sections taught me something new about myself each year. I look forward to my future career with a number of musicians that will continue on a legacy of excellence.
Music Librarian
Music librarian is a tough job, and one that receives little recognition throughout the year. Music librarians must prepare a full set of music for each member of the marching band, ensuring that each section has correct distribution of parts and no music missing BEFORE the start of band camp in August. If it sounds like a daunting task, you are correct. Through two years of this experience, I learned the value of teamwork and delegation. If each person does not contribute and if tasks are not distributed, the flip folders would never be ready in time for band members to use them. All music librarians can contribute a great deal and will work together as a coherent team. I also learned (the hard way) about organization. With over 2,000 titles in the music library, an organized system must be in place to find a piece, prepare parts, and distribute it to band members in a timely fashion. My biggest learning curve was when the directors would ask the music librarians to have a piece prepared an hour before rehearsal began. We would be in a fury in the music library, copying, cutting, and separating music for 250 members in less than an hour. Organization and collaboration. That's what I have gained in drastic proportions through my time as Music Librarian.
Uniform Manager
Uniforms are worn weekly by 250 marching band members. They must be clean, polished, fitted, and in their proper place to make for a smooth transition on game days. I have learned the importance of a proper-fitting uniform to make the band look flashy. At the beginning of the year, uniform managers must have all members fitted in uniforms and uniform parts (black shirt, shako, plumes, gloves, shoes, ball caps, polo shirts) handed out. The head uniform manager prepares a list of each member and their uniform size, as well as which raincoat the member would wear in case of a rainy game. This is a lot of information and I have gained a lot of insight into how to organize large amounts of information and the importance of having a unified system for members so that everything runs smoothly.
Drum Major-In-Training
I believe this position has given me the greatest deal of preparation for my job as a music educator. In addition to being a section leader and working on the communication and musical side of the band, being a drum major-in-training (DMiT) brought me into the preparation and planning side of the band. Drum Majors worked with me, both individually and as a team, to prepare me to take the position of Drum Major. I learned the proper conducting style, whistle commands, field commands, how to run a game, and preparation for travel. There is a lot that goes into every organization that the average member never sees, but benefits from. Being a DMiT taught me not to take for granted the little things provide for me or done for me so that my day runs without a glitch. Drum Majors prepared bus lists, room lists, meal times, field etiquette, rookie day, leadership camp, and many, many more events which make the band a well-oiled machine. I am honored to take the spot of Drum Major in this upcoming season and to continue the legacy the previous drum majors have left behind.
Head Drum Major
As a final leadership position in the UC Bearcat Bands, I took on the daunting position of head Drum Major. This position was previously held by three members of the band who had been in the position a collective 9 years! Though they individually did not hold the position for more than 4, it is still a very impressive legacy. When I took the position, I was one of three new Drum Majors and there were no veterans of the position. From day 1, we worked together to find our footing, learn the ins and outs of all types of sporting events, and practice conducting until our arms fell off. When band camp came around we were prepared, practiced, and scared to death of making mistakes! Even though it was a very big transition period and a lot of hard work for the three of us, we had a lot of fantastic assistance from our predecessors of all ages and a great deal of support from the band. I learned a lot about making decisions. Sometimes decisions are difficult and not very popular, but in a position as far in the public eye as Drum Major, you must be willing to take the entire group's success and safety into consideration. I also learned that behind-the-scenes work is the biggest part of the job! There were countless nights during football season that the three Drum Majors and our associate stayed up late into the night to prepare hotel lists, bus lists, practice songs, get information together for gigs and performances, and try to talk to directors to know what to plan for next. It was one of the best decisions I made as a member of the UC Band and I am honored to have had the chance to serve the band in this capacity. I know we made a difference this year and I look forward to seeing our future Drum Majors learn as much as I did from the position!
As a final leadership position in the UC Bearcat Bands, I took on the daunting position of head Drum Major. This position was previously held by three members of the band who had been in the position a collective 9 years! Though they individually did not hold the position for more than 4, it is still a very impressive legacy. When I took the position, I was one of three new Drum Majors and there were no veterans of the position. From day 1, we worked together to find our footing, learn the ins and outs of all types of sporting events, and practice conducting until our arms fell off. When band camp came around we were prepared, practiced, and scared to death of making mistakes! Even though it was a very big transition period and a lot of hard work for the three of us, we had a lot of fantastic assistance from our predecessors of all ages and a great deal of support from the band. I learned a lot about making decisions. Sometimes decisions are difficult and not very popular, but in a position as far in the public eye as Drum Major, you must be willing to take the entire group's success and safety into consideration. I also learned that behind-the-scenes work is the biggest part of the job! There were countless nights during football season that the three Drum Majors and our associate stayed up late into the night to prepare hotel lists, bus lists, practice songs, get information together for gigs and performances, and try to talk to directors to know what to plan for next. It was one of the best decisions I made as a member of the UC Band and I am honored to have had the chance to serve the band in this capacity. I know we made a difference this year and I look forward to seeing our future Drum Majors learn as much as I did from the position!
As a DMiT, I had the chance to conduct and lead the band for a few women's basketball games.
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As a section leader and marching band member, I had numerous opportunities to travel with the UC sports teams. This is the 2013 NCAA tournament in Philadelphia.
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