April, 26, 2008

Band Directors,

I am a retired band director from Ohio. Throughout the years I have had many competitive marching and concert bands. The point of my letter is to encourage you to recommend your students to participate in programs outside their own music program to develop their own musicianship and therefore improve your own program. Students often think that band in their school is all there is to playing their instrument. As you know there is much more to help encourage their growth as a musician.

Randy Warner, a former student of mine, is attempting to establish a drum and bugle corps in you area. He has a great deal of experience working with drum corps and is really excited about promoting this endeavor for your students. A few words of encouragement from you would lend a great hand in establishing such a group in your area.

My students learned about perfecting a show, working on fine details and developing a pride in their own ability while playing in such ensembles. The experience can only strengthen your own band programs and reap huge dividends for you.

I hope to hear good things about the upcoming ensemble that you will help create.

Musically,
Don Jenkins
Retired Band and Choir Director
2003 Ohio Music Education Association Teacher of the Year