Dear Mr. White, and any other high school band teacher who has made a difference in their students' lives,

I’ll be honest: I had no interest in band when I first signed up all those years ago. In fact, the only reason I wanted to join was because I had friends who were doing it too, so I figured, why not? The first few years were, admittedly, a struggle. I hardly practiced, if ever, and that became apparent when you’d ask me to play a few measures of a song by myself. I know you wanted me to put more effort into band. I’m sorry for not doing so sooner.

I dreaded the start of high school band. I had no faith in my ability to march, let alone memorize music, and I was not excited to have to wear a uniform that weighed more than me. (Okay, maybe not, but you know what I mean.) I had very little desire to stick with it for very long, but decided to give it a shot anyway.

Once I got the hang of marching, however, it’s like a light came on for me. I began to realize how fun it was being in band. I looked forward to every parade, every halftime performance, and yes, especially the band trips! I even looked forward to the fundraisers every year—most of them, anyway.

More important than that, I learned a lot more than just marching in step or memorizing music.

I learned the importance of practicing something over and over again until you get it right. It’s now the reason why I still remember the routines from every parade I ever marched in, but also the reason why I am determined to keep working on projects today.

I learned how to work with people that I wouldn’t have even acknowledged otherwise. The band was more like a big family than a class, made up of people from a variety of groups in our high school. Some of the greatest friends I had in high school were because I met them in band, and I have even maintained some of those friendships in the years since I graduated. Beyond that, I have been able to work calmly in group situations when I might not have been able to do so.

I learned a different kind of discipline through band than I had learned elsewhere. I learned how important it really was to just shut up and pay attention, especially during marching practices. Sure, I didn’t always follow through on doing any of that, but the lesson has stayed in my mind over the years, and has helped me become a better person. I am able to focus better and retain information easier because of what you taught me.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is... Thank you.

Thank you for teaching myself and others to become respectable members of society.

Thank you for showing that you enjoyed your job, even when things got too crazy.

Thank you for constantly pushing your students to do better, and for having faith in our abilities as musicians.

But most importantly, thank you for giving me a love for music that I wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Sincerely,

A grateful band student.