Trumpet Member Analysis

Mom,

It is a trumpet tradition for the senior leaders to write letters to the entire section. Since you are a crucial and truly irreplaceable trumpet member, we have decided to write to you too. But I'll be honest, I don't want to write this. Writing this means I have to fully acknowledge the end of the season and I'm not quite ready to say goodbye..

I am proud and grateful to call you one of my closest friends. In English we were instructed to write an essay on someone that has had an impact on our life. Trevor wrote about Greg, others wrote about their parents and I wrote about you. I would give this to you, but it is horrible writing. I did call you laudable though, so I think that makes up for it. So for the first of many thank you’s in this letter, thank you for never giving up on me, especially when everyone else had.

Before you came to our band program, I was a brat. There is no other way to say it. I did whatever Emilie wanted and I was content with being a screw off like my brother. Honestly, it was because I was afraid of trying. I was afraid of what would happen if I tried and ended up

sucking. I didn't realize how much I was lacking until you showed up with your Phantom Regiment dogtags and Kansas cutoff. You wouldn't let me get away with minimal effort and I hated you for it. I teased you for everything you did. I was truly mean. But you always accepted my comments, never responding back. Eventually I realized how horrible of a person I was and I apologized. You laughed and accepted it, but I figured I still owed you and decided to try in the following rehearsal. Except that one practice turned into the rest of the season. You were the first and only person to ever try to help me improve. You wouldn't let me get away with crap because you knew I was capable of more. In the letter of recommendation you wrote for me, you said that you couldn't take credit for my transition, but you are wrong. It is without a doubt because of you that I have matured into the GIRL that I am now. No one has ever thought I could be a leader, but you believed in me.

I had suspected that the reason I became section leader was because of you, but you confirmed my suspicion one late night on the bus.

I know being section leader for a mediocre high school marching band is probably a small accomplishment but it has been the best thing to ever happen to me. I was excited for every section leader meeting because it reminded me of how I was contributing in an activity I absolutely loved. I didn't do much as a leader, but I loved every moment of it. I know I am an unconventional leader, if I am one at all. I was fully aware of the fact that I was not one of the greatest marchers or players like the other leaders. I probably didn't even deserve to be a leader, but I am so incredibly thankful for it. You said I should learn what a good leader does from Greg and learn what not to do as a leader from Dimon, but more often, I watch

you.

Thank you for opening up to us. For treating us like adults and trusting us. I know that you are insecure and doubt yourself a lot, but you really shouldn't. You are one of the greatest teachers and best role models I have ever had. Other staff works with us because they can't let go of band. I know you could care less about us and you want to see us grow as people. It takes a special kind of person to spend all of their spare time between their job to help kids with something they love.

Thank you for being my mom. I know it is probably really weird that I call you “mom,” but it means a lot to me. You’ve taught me a lot that my own mom has never taught me. It means more than you know that you go so far out of your way to help me with my problems. You are a true parent figure and I am so fortunate to have you as a role model. You are the best mom I know and someday, you'll be a great dad. But I’m not judging if you're a mom, that's cool too.

I am so glad we are friends. You’re one of the greatest (and only, haha) friends I have ever had. I really really appreciate you trying to help me with my problems. Although it may seem like I don't see the problems you point out, I do. It means a lot that you try to help me with them. I am very fortunate to have you as a friend because you teach me so much and you're great to talk to. Plus I have learned a lot about cannabis.. You have given me so much life advice and although it may get “ranty’ after a while, I am always listening. I really do not know what I am going to do without you next year. Expect lots of phones calls and messages asking you to explain the plethora of things I don't understand.

I worry about you.. As your friend, I constantly worry. I worry about how alone you are and how far away you are from Kanas. I want you to be happy, but I worry about you trying to find a relationship. I'm afraid of you wanting a relationship and settling. Don’t settle, mom. You’re an awesome dude and there’s an amazing woman who loves TPB out there for you. I worry about someone taking saying something you say or joke about too seriously. I worry about you leaving the program and going to another band and not liking it. But I also worry about you staying and being unhappy and unable to do what you love. Basically, I just want you to be happy.

It's so hard to imagine this program without you. You have helped us more than any other person in my four years as a part of the Waukesha North marching band. I'm terrified of what's going to happen when you leave. I know you called me as a friend after your meeting with Dimon, and as your friend I think it's best for you to go. I then told you I thought it was best for you and you asked “Is this what you want?” I avoided the question because it's not what I want. I want you to stay with this program for years and years, but I also want you to be happy. One of my biggest fears with you leaving is that your students won't know how much you've sacrificed, how hard you've fought and how badly you want to stay. I know you will find a way to tell them all of this, but it will be hard for them with Dimon telling them otherwise everyday. Maybe you leaving is what it will take to show the leaders how much they have screwed up. These students love you and everything you do. I know you will find that wherever you go because you are an . Who knows? Maybe I’m overthinking it way too much and you'll be around for many years. Maybe Dimon will change, who knows? But in case he doesn't, I fully support whatever decision you make, no matter what (unless you quit teaching band. I don’t support that..).

You have given me more than I will ever be able to thank you for. I know you said you would be happy if you significantly impacted at least one person. I can say, without a doubt that you have changed my life so much. Like the song For Good in the musical Wicked, based off of the musical The Wizard of Oz: because I knew you, I have been changed for good.