ORCHESTRA COLUMN...
I’m the Best There Ever Was! Confidence vs. Arrogance: How Do We Teach This Concept? Stephanie Hill, MMEA Orchestra Vice-president
Throughout society we find examples of tremendous arrogance. Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary
describes arrogance as, “an insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people.” Unfortunately, we routinely find this expressed in celebrities, athletes, and even artists of our culture. While this is certainly not a suggestion that all individuals in these fields are egotistical, it does seem that we find more and more people showing up in media outlets who routinely talk about themselves.
Those individuals who display arrogance in the way they talk and act on a regular basis are influencing our students and unfortunately it is on display in our public music programs as well. As music educators we can give them another option and strive to show them what true confidence is about and how it is different from the arrogance they see glorified. We all want our students to have great confidence in their abilities and in their performances, and I think we can help them achieve that without becoming arrogant. While there are many ways to contrast confidence and arrogance, I would like to share just a few topics that I use to discuss the differences with students in class.
To begin, we discuss confidence as an inward feeling while arrogance as something expressed outward. We want our students to feel a sense of confidence and pride
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in their ability and performance. If they have worked hard in the practice room and dedicated themselves to a craft, they should have justified confidence, and students should know that is natural and healthy. However, when that confidence turns outward in either what they say to others, or even the way they act towards others, it becomes arrogance. It has been my experience that sometimes individuals who feel the need to act arrogantly around others oddly lack true inner confidence, and therefore feel the need to compensate with outward expressions. Individuals who are confident about their own ability and preparation are content to let the results of their diligence speak for them.
The second topic we discuss involves the idea that confident individuals are realistic as to their place in society while arrogant persons are often unrealistic in their views. Those of us that have been around the music and teaching profession for years have most certainly used the expression “there is always someone better.” I think we use that phrase because we honestly believe it to be true and it helps to keep us grounded. People who believe they are better than everyone else have an unrealistic view of themselves and a lack of respect for those individuals who are striving for the same or greater level of achievement.
This leads directly to the final topic in our discussions, the constant desire to improve. While we can
be confident in our abilities and performances, we should always strive to improve. Arrogance can cause individuals to become complacent in their desire to improve and stagnant in their progress.
We can have open and honest conversations with our students about the differences between these two fundamentally different beliefs. While this is certainly not a comprehensive discussion on the topic, I believe it is important to have this dialogue with students at all ages and not just assume that they will make the right choices. It is also important to remember that we are human and although we may have moments of arrogance in our lives, we should strive to limit these and become the best artists we can. This will ultimately plant the seeds to help students become more aware and likeable members of society.
As I wrap up my term as orchestra vice-president, I would like to thank you all for this wonderful opportunity to serve and for all your help and suggestions along the way. I would also like to thank my husband, Joseph Hill, for his help with this article and many other aspects of this job. Lastly, I wish our incoming vice-president Joseph Keeney the best of luck in this position and know he will do a wonderful job for our organization.
MISSOURI SCHOOL MUSIC| Volume 68, Number 3
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