Voices of the Nation - October 2014

Voices of the Nation is a regular column in High School Today. It contains perspectives from students, coaches, athletic directors or advisors to a single question. This month asked students the following question.

What lessons have you learned as a leader in your performing arts activity?

Andrew Smith
Choctawhatchee High School
Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Band is one of the most complicated tasks a high school student can face. It challenges one’s ability to connect the mind and body, and the creativity to create something we as musicians call “magical.” In order to create these magical moments, it requires the entire ensemble to strive for perfection in every rehearsal and performance. This demand for excellence requires individuals to help push the ensemble forward. I just happened to be one of those very motivated people who wanted my band program to be the very best it could be.

In my first year of high school, I quickly realized the enormous difficulties in band and that I needed to push myself as hard as I could to be a contributing member. As I progressed throughout my high school career, I kept the same mindset of pushing myself to be the best I could be. This was my first true step in becoming a leader; having high expectations for myself, and in doing so, others may join along with me and push their expectations. I also learned that earning your colleagues’ respect is essential in that it allows them to trust you and know that you are there to help them. This allows for them to listen and respond to what you say and allows for the band to progress. But I have learned that leadership is not as much about instructing others, but how you carry yourself and the people you lead; if you hold yourself and those who you lead to being the best possible people and musicians, then you can only continue to become better. Leadership is an important part of my life, but it is not what I define myself as. I am only someone striving to better myself and the ones around me. Many have the title of a leader, but it is truly your actions that define you as a leader. Band has shown me that in order to be a good leader, all you have to do is push yourself and the others around you and success will follow.

Cecilia Mitchell
Grinnell High School
Grinnell, Iowa

Through leadership in my school’s fine arts programs, I have learned that effective leaders are respectable, relatable and down-to-earth. That being said, I’ve also learned that one should take charge and initiative when they want or need to accomplish something. Leaders must be flexible and hard-working, sometimes taking matters into their own hands to insure a job is done right. One of the hardest things I’ve learned from leadership, however, is that no matter how hard you try, you can’t please everyone all the time. Still, leaders should always work to lift up everyone to be their best.

Selena Eng
Lynnwood High School
Bothell, Washington

Having the opportunity to be a leader in orchestra has been surreal. I’ve learned much more from being able to lead my fellow musicians than I would have ever from being just some fly on the wall. Leading has shown me that success does not come from a dictatorship. Music, as well as life, is not an absolute. Nobody ever had quite the right answer on the first try, and even then the answers are constantly changing. Everybody must have their voice heard; only then will it be possible to even begin to walk the path to being the best and most cohesive group the world has ever seen. 