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Random Thoughts


The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. William Arthur Ward


To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often. Winston Churchill


I write this edition of “Random Thoughts” on Veteran’s Day 2013 – after attending the NJEA Convention in Atlantic City


and Cavalcade of Bands Championships in Hershey, PA. It may be the exhaustion that sets in after the final competition of the year, or the melancholy that begins to set in as another season ends, but I have recently found myself reminiscing about the past and how much change has happened through my career.


Last week, I had the opportunity to walk into the main hall of Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. I met the current organist


for the world’s largest organ and heard a little about the restoration of the instrument that is currently under way. I looked out into the hall and was reminded that this area used to be the exhibit hall for the convention. I drove into West Hall, next to the main hall, to drop off programs for the evening’s All-State Concert, and was reminded how the more “commercial” exhibits were housed there. These areas have seen better days. West Hall is not really used for anything these days. The main hall was recently revived and hosted the Miss America Pageant. I remember attending all of the music sessions when they were in Caesars Hotel and the Jazz concert in a room in Boardwalk Hall. I also remember when the All-State Chorus risers were on the stage of the Adrian Phillips Ballroom and the students were housed further down the Boardwalk in hotels that no longer exist. So many changes in the last 30+ years.


When we were preparing to leave the stadium in Hershey, PA after Cavalcade Championships, I watched a massive 18-wheel- er equipment truck leaving the lot and was sent back to my time in my high school’s marching band. We carried our own instru- ments on our buses (school buses!). There was no need to set equipment on the field because we marched on and off with the equipment that we used. There was no need for extension cords or battery packs to power numerous electronic instruments or amplification systems. Everything was acoustic! I’m starting to wonder if maybe we should divide marching band into groups based on factors other than size. Maybe it should be by the number of staff members, or maybe by the amount of money bud- geted for uniforms or props. What if we divided groups up by the number of students that study privately, or by schools that offer individual or group lessons and those that do not. So many changes in the last 30+ years.


Today, we played in the park for Veteran’s Day ceremonies. I always enjoy this performance because the students are very


appreciated for such a small gesture on their part. Unfortunately, the amount of people attending the event has diminished over the years. Sure, there are years where national pride soars and the numbers spike, but then it returns to even less attendees. So many changes in the last 30+ years.


change. As I get older, I can see the difference much more clearly. I’m hoping that it is a wisdom that comes with age and not just me becoming a curmudgeon. Someone please tell me if I am!


TEMPO 6 JANUARY 2014


I am not an opponent of change. In fact, I welcome change that inspires growth. I can’t understand change for the sake of continued on page 8


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