SchoolBOX Brings Educational Empowerment Home to Canada

SchoolBOX Brings Educational Empowerment Home to Canada - theHumm February 2017

By Tony Stuart

Since theHumm is devoting this issue to volunteerism, I thought that I would jump on board as well, but with a slightly different twist. High school band programs like mine rely heavily on the efforts of volunteers, and I would like to shed some light on the behind-the-scenes workings of a busy music program.

I am in a very fortunate situation in that I have a fellow staff member (our wonderful librarian) who kindly offered a few years ago to help with the administration for all of our bands. She collects student fees, helps organize our annual band tour by acting as a liaison between myself and our tour company, coordinates fundraising, and puts together packages of forms that need to go home. I can’t stress how much easier this makes my job, because tracking paperwork is pretty low on my list of my strengths, whereas librarians tend to be very organized people. This leaves me free to do what I do best, which is waving my arms and helping kids to sound good on stage.

The point of the above example is that a volunteer with a useful skill set is helping to make a difference for our band students. If all of these tasks were exclusively left up to me, it would be a disaster, but her efforts keep the machine running smoothly.

Running a successful band program is not a solo venture. Parents are another very important part of the volunteer team. Every time that we put on a concert, we have a team of parents who help with concessions, ticket sales, and in-house fundraising. We also have volunteers who help us transport instruments and equipment when we do a show off-site. These individuals don’t get a lot of recognition, but I always try to make sure that they understand how important their contributions are. If any of you are reading this, please accept my thanks.

There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities for students, either. I am constantly relying on volunteers to help sort music, plan social events for our bands, set up chairs for concerts, and help with teardown after each performance. Again, these efforts are behind the scenes, but critically important.

This past summer I was fortunate enough to perform at the Stewart Park Festival in Perth. This festival is completely run by volunteers, and I think they have it down to a science. I’ve mentioned in past columns about how well they treat their musicians, and this summer was no exception. From the moment I arrived I felt an amazing sense of positive energy. They do an exceptional job of making their performers feel welcomed, which is why musicians keep coming back.

We all know that volunteering makes you feel good, whether your work is up front or in the background. Actions speak much louder than words do. I think that when we look after one another, we help create a more gracious, caring society, and that is something that we need to keep on doing in light of recent political developments. When we take time to volunteer, everybody wins.

Paddye Mann —Speaking theLanguage of Clothing - theHumm February 2017

By — Bruce Anderson (submitted Jeff Mills)

Hummble Thought

SchoolBOX Brings Educational Empowerment Home to Canada - theHumm February 2017