Music of Andrew F. Poor

"Hard work is fun!"-Jim Luce WARNING : some may find this cheesy or simplistic--remember I teach middle school--and I am sure someone can write a more sophisticated version of this concept. Regardless, I believe that this is an important message to instill in my students, and one I feel compelled to share.  The  Universal Law of the Fun Cycle  goes like this:  learn something new  then you work hard at truly learning this skill,  you start to have fun, so you work harder, then  you have even more fun, and  the cycle repeats even faster. However, when you stop working, you stop having fun.  Have you ever found yourself starting something and then wanting to quit shortly thereafter?  from  moenormangolf.com Have you ever picked up a book, with a deep meaning, and you found yourself not finishing the book?  www.petersons.com Have you ever started a hobby, only to later stop? guitarlessons....

SHOW DAY!  (Some corps have already had their first show...) This is addressed to the members of all corps, but most notably, my son, Addison, who is marching his first show soon. GO Addison! As we enter the competitive portion of the season, I would like to share some thoughts with you about this part of the activity. I have had the privilege of participating in the competition side of drum corps from all sides for many years. This is the panel from the last DCI Show I ever judged, 2008 Finals.  This was a great panel of great people, who had a tough job that night. INTRINSIC versus EXTRINSIC In all likelihood, you became a member of your corps to play/march in a legendary hornline/drumline/color guard, wear the uniform, enjoy the traditions we all love, play great music, entertain crowds or probably a host of several other personal reasons. In other words, your motivations were intrinsic and you have been able to naively feed those ...

www.regiment.org Some thoughts as you get ready for the summer.  1) Accept the fact that 95% of your daily existence is out of your control and “Embrace the Suck! ”   Things will be tough; that is what you signed up for. You will be pushed extremely hard; again, what you signed up for. It will be hot; it is summer. You will take cold showers; again, it is part of the deal. There will be crappy fields, crazy schedules, long bus rides, short EPL, frantic show warm- ups etc…Complaining about any of these things helps NO ONE! So, DON’T! EVER!!!! I mean it!  2) You grow the most when you are out of your comfort zone . You are going to be uncomfortable and feel overwhelmed. Great! That is what makes drum corps fun, and why only a select type of person can do this crazy activity. You will, most definitely, grow this summer. 3) Your attitude and your performance are your greatest commodities to the drum corps. Everyone brings joy to a room, some when they...

Because the field of education deals with the cycles of time--start of the year, winter breaks, spring breaks, end of the year--I find many people in this field are overly aware of the calendar. Our daily routine is governed by bells, exams, grading periods etc..and numerous people I know in this field begin countdowns this time of the year. We all know the students do this  type of behavior all of the time and, maybe, because teachers are really students at heart, we never lose this habit. There are even apps that do the countdowns for us, making the habit even easier to continue. Regardless, I have always resisted this habit, mostly because, as a band director, the end of grading periods, semesters, school years are so busy for our field. I have always used the analogy of a marathon runner saying, "Only 22.4 more miles!" When a band director starts to say only 20 more school days, while having 12 concerts, 8 after school rehearsals, 5 recruiting events, 3 award ceremoni...