If the roles were reversed, which academic subject would you teach and why? by Colby

If the roles were reversed, which academic subject would you teach and why? by Colby - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

On the basic level of teaching a subject doesn’t really matter. Teachers should teach logical and critical thinking, social competence, and how to encourage the child to develop their own talents. Band is the academic subject that enables a teacher to include all the above plus so much more.

Music keeps the brain alive, the math involved in playing music keeps the brain moving. Marching and playing at the same time is extremely challenging, the neuronal connections grown in marching band will benefit kids throughout life, and it improves their ability to multi-task in school, work and as an adult.

Discipline is a huge component in marching band. Long rehearsals, memorizing drills, memorizing the music. The discipline required in band creates a strong foundation for the future. Every part of the team is important in band, ever member contributes to the team, but team work is different for band than with a sports team. Team work in marching band is about individual improvement, comparing results with yourself overtime, not just defeating the opponents in games.
Band builds relationships and friendships that last a lifetime, it is not like normal subject where you are in a class together for one semester or one year, band is program that typical start at the 6th grade level and continue throughout high school and for some, college. It’s a family.

Band builds time management skills. During the marching season, most a student’s time is consumed by rehearsals, football games, and competitions. Learning to juggle marching band along with other classes and other extra curriculum activities is challenging.
Band builds manners, respect and resilience. Judges provide feedback, the constructive criticism is taken seriously and is used to continually improve the performance for the next competition. Band teaches kids to be respectful to the judges and the competitors. Applauding and supporting other bands at competition is encouraged.

Band builds self-esteem. Competing regularly in front of judges and performing to a packed stadium helps overcome performance anxieties. It gives kids an opportunity to come out of their shell and help shape their personality and develop their own talents.

Leadership skills are developed intentionally and some unintentionally, whether it is through being a drum major, a section leader, or a team member providing direction and support, the skills are discovered.

Playing an instrument enhances your listening skills, you have to learn how to hear when you’re playing a wrong note in order to correct yourself.
Marching band teachers have a huge challenge, taking hundreds of kids and turn them into a well-oiled marching machine, along with making sure they sound good doing it. As a band member, I have learned all the above from my band instructors and feel that I have grown into the person I am today due to my directors determination and drive to make me and our band program a success. Music teachers don’t teach just for the music but so the kids can recognize beauty, be sensitive, have more affection, have more empathy, show more kindness, be an all-around good person and in short, more life, that is why I would be a band teacher.