Use Their Words

"It sounds mushy. I want French fries and you're giving me mashed potatoes."

—Tiffany Hitz (Band Director at Carson Middle School in Fairfax County, Virginia)

I heard my wife tell her jazz band this a couple of weeks ago and I thought it was great.

It reminded me of the importance of using the same words (and imagery) that your audience use. This goes for being a band director or a marketer.

Every single kid in that band immediately knew what she meant by french fries. In fact, it was probably the least number of words she possibly could have used to get that point across that clearly.

Sums It Up Nicely

This sign above the podium in my wife's band room at Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, VA pretty much sums up everything.

Maintaining Focus In Performance

"Adrenalin will help us onstage but won't do everything for us.  Make sure we are still really focused 25 minutes into our concert." - Tiffany Hitz, Band Director at Mark Twain Middle School in Alexandria, VA

This was a comment my wife made to her band last summer at the UNCG Summer Band Camp. I think this is great advice for us grown-up kids as well. I have never had trouble focusing during the first tune of a Boston Brass show. But what about the 5th?

Adrenalin is an asset in any performance but must not be relied upon to maintain focus?