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A Letter To My Band Directors

I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of my high school band directors.

Madeline Grumieaux

Nov 07, 2016

Influencers of Indiana

Brian Grumieaux

After the years of what seemed like torture on hot asphalt, I now appreciate you more than ever.

To My Band Directors,

Five years of my life was dedicated to pleasing you on a hot as hell slab of asphalt in the dead of summer vacation. I got so many sunburns along with some sun poisoning on the side. Band camp week never seemed to end, but it was something everyone secretly looked forward to all year long. Learning the theme of the show was always one of the most exciting times for us bandies as well. Getting new charts was too; Yep, I still have all my charts. What was even more exciting was when I was chosen for the saxophone solo senior year...that was a dream come true. Being section leader was quite the leadership experience. I loved getting to help better the saxophones one note at a time.

I wasn't the happiest the days you yelled at the saxophones because we didn't know our music. I DID appreciate that nagging once we finally got to competition season and we won best in music. I didn't like getting up at 3 a.m. for Semi-State. I DID love the outcome after all of our hard work. Something that I appreciate you for would have to be dealing with me and all of my various injuries throughout the year. I feel like I might have spent more time on the sideline than anywhere else. No matter if it was a bad sprain or after my foot surgery, you made sure I was all set (no pun intended).

No matter how much time I spent out on parking lot B for so many years, I wouldn't trade that time for the world. I learned that if you're early you're on time, if you're on time you're late, and if you're late, you're dead. I learned that determination is key to get the job done. I learned that being a part of a team, or a part of a band, is the greatest experience. I made some of my greatest friendships thoughout the years that I will forever cherish.

Anyhow, thank you for the constant encouragement in band and in life in general. You have made me a better person because of all those hours spent breaking reeds, spraining my ankles, falling, leading the saxophones, sweating, crying, and learning my self-worth.

Thank you for being such a positive influence on my life. I wouldn't be where I am at now without you.

Sincerely,

Miss Grumieaux/Gimp/Maddy/A5

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Letter To My Band Directors

I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of my high school band directors.

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No matter how old you are.

1. Build a snowman

2. Start a snowball fight

3. Build a fort

4. Binge-watch Netflix

4. Look out the window

5. Grab coffee with a friend

6. Complete school or office work

7. Sleep

8. Read a book

9. Bake cookies

10. Drink hot cocoa

11. Go ice skating

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3. When you think to yourself at night, "tomorrow, I will wake up early and go to the library ALL day, and, hell, maybe after I'll go to the gym for a little bit, just to push myself that extra mile."

4. Tomorrow actually comes. The inevitable and overpowering sense of procrastination is too strong to overcome.

5. But you DO end up going to the library. Not all day though, but still, a while. But no, you do not go to the gym. Still, you made an effort, so you decide to treat yo' self.

6. When you realize you need to schedule a meeting with your adviser because you need to sign up for classes next semester. But you also realize that since you waited until the last minute, you're going to get stuck with all of the crappy classes.

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9. When you apply for a job associated with your major even though you have no experience, but you just want to dive headfirst into the deep end of adulthood and get it over with.

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14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

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