My Own Corner of the World
It's hard to see amazing band performances by other high schools around the country and not feel a little bit discouraged about my own group. When I see these "professional" high school groups perform, I start wondering what they would think of the high school groups in our area. I'm sure they would absolutely rip us to shreds. If one of those students had to move to our area, they most certainly wouldn't be interested in performing with us because of the complete disconnect between our two realities. But I also see myself as someone who could belong to both worlds. What's stopping me from going to a big city to lead a nationally recognized ensemble? If I really want those high-quality performance experiences, then that's where I need to go - at least that's what I start thinking when I get discouraged.
However, I'm starting to understand that it's not all about making my group as good as those groups. If that were the goal, then it would be better just to close all rural schools and make everyone move into the city for culture and education. Of course, that's not desirable when you put it that way. So what is the goal? Well, as much as I like the idea of leading a top ensemble, the reality is that there is a lot of work to be done in my own little corner of the world. And the truth is that by doing my part here in the middle of nowhere, I *am* making a difference in the world. That's important, so I'll say it again: I *am* making a difference in the world. The point that I'm making is that you don't have to be the biggest and the best in order to make a difference. The point is that a lot of people believe that. I mean, when I get discouraged, I still believe that. I start thinking about how much more of a difference I could be making if only I were teaching at a bigger school, and so on. But the point is that first of all, we can't all be the biggest and the best. When people try to be the biggest and the best, that brings out the worst in them. You don't get to the top by being kind to your competitors, and you don't get to the top by being satisfied with what you have. Some people want that kind of thing, and when they get it, they flaunt it to everyone who will watch. It sounds nice to be able to take luxurious vacations and own multiple properties and never worry about the cost of day to day things, so we all like to watch and listen. But we can't all be like that, and that's the first point that I'm beginning to understand. We shouldn't necessarily desire to be like that, and that's okay.
Secondly, some people get discouraged when they realize that they aren't going to be Number One, but I think that's the wrong reaction to it. It's great that some schools have 18 percussionists who all know every rudiment and can execute the highest level of music flawlessly. I love to go and watch performances like that. Those are a great inspiration for me, and hopefully for my own students. But actually, I think that it's really an encouragement when you finally realize that someone else is already Number One. (I'm starting to lose my train of thought here.) But they can only be in one place at one time. They can't be everywhere. That's why it's important for us to continue to be the best that we can be. By making a difference in our own location, we are making the whole world a better place. If you have a big, giant painting, and you improve one little corner of it, then you are improving the entire painting. Sure, you might just be the blade of grass in the background of the picture, and there might be a gallant hero in the middle of the painting that everyone likes to stare at, but by making the blade of grass better, you are also making the entire painting better. So don't get discouraged just because someone else is the hero. Be encouraged, because they are also working hard to make the picture better - the same picture which YOU are a part of. In a way, their success is also your success. Just do your part and don't give up.
However, I'm starting to understand that it's not all about making my group as good as those groups. If that were the goal, then it would be better just to close all rural schools and make everyone move into the city for culture and education. Of course, that's not desirable when you put it that way. So what is the goal? Well, as much as I like the idea of leading a top ensemble, the reality is that there is a lot of work to be done in my own little corner of the world. And the truth is that by doing my part here in the middle of nowhere, I *am* making a difference in the world. That's important, so I'll say it again: I *am* making a difference in the world. The point that I'm making is that you don't have to be the biggest and the best in order to make a difference. The point is that a lot of people believe that. I mean, when I get discouraged, I still believe that. I start thinking about how much more of a difference I could be making if only I were teaching at a bigger school, and so on. But the point is that first of all, we can't all be the biggest and the best. When people try to be the biggest and the best, that brings out the worst in them. You don't get to the top by being kind to your competitors, and you don't get to the top by being satisfied with what you have. Some people want that kind of thing, and when they get it, they flaunt it to everyone who will watch. It sounds nice to be able to take luxurious vacations and own multiple properties and never worry about the cost of day to day things, so we all like to watch and listen. But we can't all be like that, and that's the first point that I'm beginning to understand. We shouldn't necessarily desire to be like that, and that's okay.
Secondly, some people get discouraged when they realize that they aren't going to be Number One, but I think that's the wrong reaction to it. It's great that some schools have 18 percussionists who all know every rudiment and can execute the highest level of music flawlessly. I love to go and watch performances like that. Those are a great inspiration for me, and hopefully for my own students. But actually, I think that it's really an encouragement when you finally realize that someone else is already Number One. (I'm starting to lose my train of thought here.) But they can only be in one place at one time. They can't be everywhere. That's why it's important for us to continue to be the best that we can be. By making a difference in our own location, we are making the whole world a better place. If you have a big, giant painting, and you improve one little corner of it, then you are improving the entire painting. Sure, you might just be the blade of grass in the background of the picture, and there might be a gallant hero in the middle of the painting that everyone likes to stare at, but by making the blade of grass better, you are also making the entire painting better. So don't get discouraged just because someone else is the hero. Be encouraged, because they are also working hard to make the picture better - the same picture which YOU are a part of. In a way, their success is also your success. Just do your part and don't give up.
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