Band: Favorite Thing #5

Daniel Conducting at Band Camp

              Most of us have been to a high school football game at one time or another. The energy in the stadium is electrifying because everyone’s excited not only about the game, but also about hanging out with friends and having fun. One of the highlights usually is the halftime show.

            Have you ever thought about how much time, money and effort it takes for a band to perform at halftime? One of my friends knows because she’s married to a  high school band director.  It’s not unusual for her husband to work late nights not only during the school year, but also the summer because of meetings, rehearsals, band camp, football games, concerts, competitions and driving the bus to away events. When Daniel drives to away football games, he sometimes doesn’t get home until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. This is in addition to teaching a full day at school.

            Although Daniel knew band directors worked long hours, he didn’t realize how long until he actually became one. Statistics show that often band directors last only a few years choosing another profession due to depression or burn-out. Daniel says he loves his job and doesn’t want to become a statistic.

            I stopped by to visit Michelle and Daniel the last week in July and found Michelle by herself except for their two sweet dogs, Molly and Goldie. Can you guess where Daniel was? You’re right, at band camp.  Since the school was on my way home, I stopped by for a minute.

            It was about 6:00 when I arrived and hot. The band was practicing on the pavement of the parking lot and as the students marched, Daniel walked alongside them giving words of encouragement. After the song, they waited for instructions with no complaining, only total respect. Having been at school since 2:00, they knew it was well worth the sacrifice to be ready for the first game.

          One way to show appreciation for the middle and high school bands is to dig deeper the next time you’re asked for a contribution. Not only will this gesture take some of the burden off the shoulders of a band director,  but it also may pave the way for a student to afford band.

            If it’s true as one of the band students told me that band makes you a better person and teaches respect,  I think everyone should have to take band as a requirement for graduation. Just kidding, Daniel. Then again, maybe that’s not such a bad idea.