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Mission Statement
“Pursuing excellence one band member at a time” The band directors and staff of the Robert E. Lee High School Band are committed to strive for excellence in everything we do. Students will be challenged to improve their musical skills, interpersonal skills, and discipline skills continuously. Variety is the color of our band. We embrace this as an opportunity to learn that people are all the same once committed to a common goal. All students will be appropriately challenged based on their current level of ability and skill, and we will continue to raise the bar every time goals are reached and improvements have been made. Through dedicated practice and commitment to the band program, students will learn that hard work and self-discipline release their true reward only when one refuses to quit. Band Motto
“Ganders Fly Strong” Every day is a chance to make a difference for each other in the band. Each new day means new opportunities to affect the world around us in a very meaningful and positive way. No matter what happened yesterday, we control the choices we make today. As long as we keep our goals in mind and focus on one another, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. |
What you will learn in the REL Band
The lessons no one else will teach you! Music lessons • How to play your instrument at a high level • How to handle performance anxiety • How to read music • Music history • Music theory • To gain an appreciation of all styles of music from all parts of the world • To become a music patron for life Life lessons • Leadership skills • How to handle different personalities • How to handle large/difficult tasks • How small details lead to big successes • How to be a team player • The value of commitment • The value of perseverance • Conflict resolution • How to manage your time effectively • How to balance various activities Mr. P’s Teaching Philosophy
To be a winner you must do your best in the small details. Leadership comes from within, not from outside prompts. A person that takes pride in doing the small things to the best of his or her ability will earn credit in his peers’ eyes as a serious individual who can be trusted with important tasks and responsibilities. I believe this to be true in all aspects of life including school and band. Anything can be accomplished with the right attitude and work ethic. To be a winner in my eyes is not to finish first at a contest or tournament but is to always strive to be the best in everything you do. The person who can do this will constantly improve their skills and abilities and therefore, will always be a winner. One of my former teachers and mentors said it best, “Winning means nothing, but trying to win means everything”. Original credit for this phrase goes to Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi. If you can truly understand this phrase, you will understand the true nature of competition and realize that everything we do in the world is competitive. We should not shield students from this truth but help them realize it and teach them how to use competition to their advantage. The true meaning of competition is to measure yourself against another (person or group) in the simultaneous pursuit of excellence. |
