A salute to band’s tradition

Guest editorial

On the occasion of my son’s graduation from high school a few words about the Glasgow High School Band program should be said.

For ever on third of the time my son has been alive, he has been deeply involved in the Glasgow Scottie Band. This fact hit me like a ton of bricks while the band performed its annual Spring Concert a few nights ago. During the tumultuous years of adolescence, when he was forming his adult personality and identity, the one constant in his life was the band program. For that matter, that was about the only constant in my life during that same period. How fortunate that teenagers and parents have an opportunity to anchor their ship to the same rock.

On his departure, it struck me how many people over the years have had the same experience as our family has. It also humbled me to realize that we had been the stewards of that tradition during the years of our involvement. Something should be said for those who have upheld that tradition over the last several decades, and to those whom we are passing that torch along now.

This particular tradition was started many years ago, by our present Mayor, Charles Honeycutt. Over the years, countless band members have passes the program. Each of them has learned the lessons we all need to understand to be successful in our work lives and families. They learn about the importance of team work, and punctuality. They learn how to follow directions and to become constant learners. They learn to LOVE change. They learn how to live on the force of their abilities since everyone is dresses in the same uniform… they all look alike and race, creed, or political connections are completely erased. They also learn that often life is not fair and that defeat is just a step along the path to victory.

The parents learn all of this too. Often, at this age, they need a refresher course in most of these subjects. They also learn that there IS an activity that they can do with their growing son or daughter. What a wonderful contrast to the nightly news and all of the evil the media would have us believe our children are involved in. The band gives parents an opportunity to get to know these kids as evolving adults. They get to see that most of them are developing quite nicely, thank you. I know I did. The parents get to drive buses, raise money, carry instruments, make and repair uniforms, raise money, make props and raise money. Did I mention they get to raise money? Most importantly, though, they get to participate shoulder to shoulder with their kids. They also get their batteries recharged by overhearing the pep talks of an inspiring leader (like Keith Vincent). Amazingly, this is possible to receive for FREE! How many business people have paid good money to hear a less inspiring motivational speech than any of the ones Mr. Vincent delivered on the sidelines after any of the band contests?

So, to those of you who came before, thank you for creating and sustaining the tradition that my family inherited six years ago. You know who you are. You are the parents who have had similar experiences to the ones discusses here. You are the business men who have given and given (it takes a lot of giving to support 120 teenagers doing just about anything!). You are the students who thrilled our children as you passed down the street and inspired them to take up that instrument and drag their parents into the program.

To those of you who are carrying on and to those who have yet to see the sparkle in your children’s eye as they first unleash that instrument of brass or wood, guard this tradition well. Of all the things we have tried in the name of educating our children, nothing has worked so well for so long. The author expects to return again and again to the places where the band is and he hopes with every fiber of his being that the banner of the Glasgow Scottie Band is always held high.