This past summer, I was given the opportunity to participate in the 2015 SASI Drum Major Camp, a leadership program founded by band directors in central Texas. Going into the camp, all I expected to learn were basic conducting patterns, some nice start-of-the-day stretches, and how to keep rowdy band members in line. That’s what I had seen from past Drum Majors, and what I believed to be the full depth of the leadership position. The truth unfolded quite differently than my expectations.
The first day of this camp came as a shock. We awoke at 7 am to counselors chanting positive mantras up and down the dorm room hallways. After rushing through breakfast, our cheery-eyed counselors had us skipping to the college campus lecture hall, calling out phrases like “today will be a wonderful day” and “I couldn’t be more excited to be up at 7 am!”. Normally, I would be the last person you’d catch participating in such exposing (and embarrassing) acts, but the group mentality had me avidly participating and believing in what I voiced to the curious onlookers. Once we arrived at the lecture hall, …show more content…
I choose to find the moment that makes the day. I choose to be patient with others. I choose to embrace the positives over the negatives. Sure we learned how to conduct a few patterns, played around with some warm-up techniques for a day of marching, and practiced isolating “the bad influence”. However, these teachings looked downright invaluable next to this simple motto to live life by. SASI changed how I viewed my life. Before the experience, I would let the world dictate how I felt, and how I went about my day. If I stubbed my toe while getting out of bed, the world obviously seemed to be plotting my demise. Afterwards, stubbing my toe meant any daily bad karma was over with. Hooray! This simple little lifestyle change gave me power to change the world, even if it was just my unique view of the
The first day of this camp came as a shock. We awoke at 7 am to counselors chanting positive mantras up and down the dorm room hallways. After rushing through breakfast, our cheery-eyed counselors had us skipping to the college campus lecture hall, calling out phrases like “today will be a wonderful day” and “I couldn’t be more excited to be up at 7 am!”. Normally, I would be the last person you’d catch participating in such exposing (and embarrassing) acts, but the group mentality had me avidly participating and believing in what I voiced to the curious onlookers. Once we arrived at the lecture hall, …show more content…
I choose to find the moment that makes the day. I choose to be patient with others. I choose to embrace the positives over the negatives. Sure we learned how to conduct a few patterns, played around with some warm-up techniques for a day of marching, and practiced isolating “the bad influence”. However, these teachings looked downright invaluable next to this simple motto to live life by. SASI changed how I viewed my life. Before the experience, I would let the world dictate how I felt, and how I went about my day. If I stubbed my toe while getting out of bed, the world obviously seemed to be plotting my demise. Afterwards, stubbing my toe meant any daily bad karma was over with. Hooray! This simple little lifestyle change gave me power to change the world, even if it was just my unique view of the