A Sight to Behold!

One of the most incredible things happened today. Let me tell you this story!

Two years ago, prior to my second year at Roslyn, I devised a long term planning grid with the band. Keeping the integrity of the one night rehearsal due to academic demands at Roslyn, we went ahead with our plan. I used the Orchard Park band as a model for building excellence. They started in the novice class in 1987 and built up one of the top bands in the National Class in 17 years. Using their history as a template, I showed the students in detail how they could set long term and short term goals to build something. On Sunday night, Orchard Park won the National Class. They dethroned the West Genesee and Arlington shared dynasty. Today I dusted off that old plan I set in place two years ago. The Junior and Senior classes in the band remembered it vividly. The interesting thing is, and this is why I am writing to you, when I hung it up today outside the bandroom the kids crowded around it like it was their SAT scores. I couldn't clear the crowd! Students started figuring out how our band might get to that goal and reach it even earlier than Orchard Park. I was totally amazed at how a group of kids, who will be long gone when these goals are achieved, attached themselves emotionally to this plan. They saw the "Big Picture." I flew home in my car today, knowing that the "Big Goal," something they won't be here to experience, excited and made Roslyn seem even more special to them. Isn't this what its all about. Getting a group of people excited and attached to a long term goal invigorated me as an educator. I felt humbled by their enthusiasm. It was a sight to behold!

It really isn't about "band" at all. It's about achieving an incredibly difficult goal before you ever achieve it. They won 7th out of 7 in their class, but through vision, they have already won. They will win the National Class, they know it. They are part of this school and it will be a huge part of them forever.

They made my day!