Tomorrow are region band auditions for all students throughout the state. We have many students auditioning from both the middle school and the high school. I salute each of them for doing what it takes to have a top notch band program. Even if they don't all make it, they are doing all I ask. The more experienced I get (that means getting old) the more I think that perhaps the process is more important that the actual result. Most of you know I love to win. Man, I love to win but there is more than this in the end. The process of going through with the region band audition is a great result in its self. I am proud of all of the students that just dare to try. I must, once again, post one of my favorite quotes below. For those about to audition, thank you for what you do that benefits others. Remember to do something for yourself is great but to sacrifice and work for others, well that is something that may just be rewarded some place else.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
