School and Community Winter 2024

Education at the Speed of Life: Shift the Gears One at a Time

A driver can go from idling in the parking lot to 75 mph on the interstate in a matter of moments. When you are in a hurry, the trick is to always be patient enough to go through all the gears and avoid damaging the car. Skipping steps or gears never pays off. In a similar vein, the importance of laying a great foundation during first encounters with students can set one up for success for the entire school year. Just as the core structure of a vehicle allows these changes on the highway, a foundational approach to instruction is essential to enjoy the ride of your life in education. I like to relate the steps we take within the Blue Springs Golden Regiment Band to the transition between gears of a car. Idle: Traction and Grounding All drivers must turn on the engine and idle to make sure the primary parts of the vehicle are working before putting the car into gear and going anywhere. The idle stage is often leveraged to gain traction when conditions become challenging. On the fundamental level, before one “backs a car out of the garage,” music teachers must first believe that what they are teaching is essential and valuable. I truly believe that my band students are better prepared to face the world as a result of music. The following is the guiding principle of the Blue Springs Band program: The Blue Springs High School Band Program provides opportunities that promote and develop

musical skills, life skills, personal enrichment, self-reliance and accountability. It encourages teamwork, the value of group over self, sportsmanship, civic pride and contributions of one’s personal best to a unified group goal. Lessons are learned through a musical and marching activity blending arts and athletics. It is our goal to not only produce dedicated and talented artists; but also self-sufficient, confident young people who have realized the positive effects that their behavior and talents have created. The drive for the Blue Springs Band comes from a culture of unstoppable commitment as a group, improving as individuals, being upstanding citizens and performing for the audience. We are a close family that spends a great deal of time together producing great music, learning life skills while creating memories for a lifetime. This is the common ground where we feel we must all start if we want any hope of shifting into first gear and starting the journey together. First Gear: “One Band, One Sound, One Culture” Although we are many individuals standing on the field, we must unite as one with a common purpose and beliefs. Our greatest strength is each other - weakness comes if we do not respect each other or the culture that is required

BY: TIM ALLSHOUSE, BLUE SPRINGS R-4

10 | WINTER 2024 S&C