Music of Andrew F. Poor

  Our Reality by Andrew F. Poor, DME originally published by the National Band Association, Georgia Chapter, September 2020 One of my favorite mottoes is, “It is not your excuse, it is your reality.” It is a constant reminder that we must always be solution-driven rather than problem-focused--this has never been truer than now. As we return to school, we face various challenges; some of us might be ill-prepared to handle. I know I am. Honestly, there were times over the last five months. I was overwhelmed and feeling defeated by our situation. Based on conversations with friends and colleagues, it became apparent I was not alone.  "It is not your excuse, but it is your reality!"   This summer, while reading a leadership book,  Extreme Ownership  (Willink & Babin, 2017), written by two former Navy SEALs, a few ideas struck me. No, I am not planning on turning my students into Navy SEALS, but some of the best ideas/reminders can come from the most unlikel...

This is Part 2 of a blog reflecting on my experiences from this past summer teaching the Spirit of Atlanta brass.  7. Approaching show warm-ups like it is an extension of rehearsal We began to approach show preparation like it was an extension of the rehearsal day, i.e., essentially another rehearsal block. The idea came from a blog by Daniel Coyle, author of a great book entitled, The Talent Code. The blog,  http://thetalentcode.com/2016/10/06/stop-warming-up-start-learning-up/ ,  The blog talks about myths about preparing to perform and uses NBA great, Steph Curr,y as the subject. We took the ideas from this thought-provoking concept and applied it to our show preparation. Our show prep was tightly scripted and was consistent in structure but varied in application. The variables are what engages the brain, and challenging the mind and are what prepares us to perform. The structure helped with efficiency and the variables were essential to improving mental a...

A reflection on teaching the Spirit of Atlanta in 2017 2017 Spirit Brass Staff at DCI World Championships 1. I really do not like doing drum corps in Louisiana, but we found a way to get better anyway I think one of the things drum corps teaches us is how to push through barriers or walls. During the summer, you are constantly challenged to push yourself mentally and physically harder than most people have pushed themselves in their regular lives. Lousiana presents many challenges that test the strength of your will, including, extreme heat, high humidity, terrible facilities, and fields which resemble mud pits or fire ant city. These were some of the toughest days of the summer, but the drum corps got better and was an important turning point for the corps during the summer. The Nacy SEALs have 40% rule: you are only at your 40% physical capacity when your mind wants to give up. You have more strength and capacity then you realize and drum corps help remind us of t...

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. "  —   George Bernhard Shaw "If there is no struggle, there is no progress." —   Frederick Douglas "There is nothing permanent except change." —   Heraclitus "Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have—and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up." — James Belasco and Ralph Stayer "The only easy day was yesterday." —  Navy SEAL motto Growing up as the son of an Air Force officer, I moved a lot as a young child. Matter of fact, I moved eight times before I was 15. At the time, it was often difficult to leave friends, start new schools, move to a new house, and learn new routines. As a young child, my only option was to accept these changes and make the most of every situation. The reality of change was an inevitability I knew all too well. Every ...

"Battle for another day!" Thoughts on the Middle School Music Rehearsal When I was an undergrad, I was first introduced to Bruner's Spiral Learning Theory . At the time, the concept was presented as an abstract ideal with little to no direct application. The idea of learning concepts and continually revisiting those concepts and layering new learning onto the previous concepts which eventually led to mastery seemed to be common sense. Yet, when faced with the cold reality of developing my own curriculum and teaching in a room filled with young energetic minds the theory was quickly forgotten. I was chasing the next concert or administering playing tests. The educational equivalent of walking barefoot in a dark room filled with lego pieces and sharp furniture. A lot of painful mistakes. I wanted it perfect now and I expected my students to get it "Right now!" and this was my way of setting high standards. The reality was this approach led to terrible i...

Commissioned by the Feagin Mill Middle School Band (Warner Robins, Georgia), Lloyd McDonald, Director of Bands in the fall of 2015. The work is dedicated to the children of members of our armed forces and the ongoing sacrifices these children make on behalf of our country. The work is divided into three sections—Service, Sacrifice and Tribute—and each section honors different aspects of this commitment. The Service section (measures 1 to 23) is a blending of various patriotic melodic fragments, including, Star-Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and Taps. These children are surrounding by patriotic music throughout their everyday lives. This section of the work symbolizes the dedication and purpose for the service for both the parents and the children. Sacrifice (measures 24-39) is longingly lyrical portion of the work loosely based on the melodic structure of Taps and symbolizes the heartfelt losses the children are often forced to endure. These sacrifices, include, long and u...