Starred Thoughts

Well, the day has finally come and it has been made official as to who will take up the reigns of the UMMB - Dr. Tim Anderson. With the announcement, word has spread like wild fire and there is definitely no shortage of opinion. I have become quite embarrassed as a UMMB alum, due to many of the things said regarding the naming of Mr. Parks’ successor. Please remember that on Facebook and blogs, it is easy to say things that are unfiltered and it becomes difficult to retract such things.

I feel it is quite childish to say that because a new face in leading the band that you will no longer help with homecoming, or you will retract your donation to the GEORGE N. PARKS band building. You are not hurting the University or the man stepping into the shoes. Rather, you are excluding yourself from your friends, you are making the band suffer by having an empty/incomplete building. Be adult about it, please.

That said, I would like to take a moment to remind you of some Starred Thoughts…part of George’s Legacy – Words he lived by EVERY DAY – and I think many may need a refresher.

STARRED THOUGHT – “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”
The news of Dr. Tim Anderson picking up the reigns of the UMMB has been lukewarm at best. This is a man that has agreed to uproot his life and move over 3,000 miles to join the UMMB Family! He will be leaving behind his life, friends and family and we should support him and his wife during his transition. This is the time we need to be exhibiting Energy, Excitement, and Enthusiasm. We need to show him that we indeed ARE the POWER & CLASS of New England.

STARRED THOUGHT – “You must have an open mind.”

For whatever reason of the selection committee, Dr. Tim has been selected to pick up the reigns and continue with the UMMB. These reasons may not be clear at this time, but I am sure that they were professional and valid. As much as some would like it to be a reincarnation of Mr. Parks or Thom Hannum or Heidi Sarver, the fact is that this man has been selected. We need to have an open mind. I am CERTAIN that this man was not selected to “Destroy the band from within.” When you read that, stop and think about it. That sounds completely obtuse! Do you really believe that the University and the Department of Music & Dance sat down with this man in his last interview and said:

“Now Dr. Anderson, before you accept this position, there is something we would like you to know. – Your main objective over the next five years is to do everything you can, to guarantee the destruction of the Marching Band program from within. A program that is the University’s and the Department’s largest recruitment resource, that attracts hundreds of students to the University for the sole purpose of joining the marching band. A program that George Parks grew from a handful of students to approximately 400 members, and thousands of alumni and supporters all over the world. A program that has earned numerous awards and national recognition…Now, Dr. Anderson, are you willing to take on this responsibility and only have a job for a handful of years?”

COME ON! GNP is having a good laugh at that one!

STARRED THOUGHT – “Being a Leader is doing the uncomfortable thing!  If it was easy – EVERYBODY would be doing it!”
As difficult as it may be, we need to be the leaders that Mr. Parks expects us to be. He dedicated his life to being a great leader and providing us the tools to be just that. Even if you were never a Drum Major, Section Leader, Field Staff or Ad Staff, he still gave you the tools. They are in you! Don’t concern yourself with what others are doing and saying. Do the uncomfortable thing. Lead, don’t follow.

STARRED THOUGHT – “Adopt, Adapt, Improve.”
Everything is a work in progress. Dr. Anderson will come to the helm of this great organization with his own style. We will have to adopt his ways and his style into ours, but I’m certain that he will not cast aside everything that the UMMB has built over the years. He will adapt. It will be a marriage. He knows he is coming into a group with deeply rooted traditions, and love. Ultimately it will be an improvement. The UMMB has so much support that it will not fail. We won’t let it fail!

STARRED THOUGHT – “The Ultimate Job is to create music.”
Dr. Anderson’s job and commitment is to create music. Not only will he create the sounds of trumpets wailing and crowds cheering, but he will create music between friends…just in his own way. It will be different, but we should embrace that. Music has different styles we just need to hear his.

STARRED THOUGHT – “Avoid confrontation on the field” , “Sparkle Hut!” and “Smile, it makes people wonder what you’re up to!”
We’re just making ourselves look bad. We always knew that Mr. Parks had his bouts with the University, the Music Department, and countless others, but through it all, he kept those discussions/arguments private. We always knew that at 4:40 we’d arrive to the practice field and we’d see Mr. Parks walk across the field and climb up that scaffolding or go up the scissor lift with that grin on his face. He was proud. He was proud of his band. He was proud of each and every one of us. You’d think that after all he went through with the University that he would of cracked at some point and put it all out on the table…or even quit! Sometimes it seemed that it’s what the University may have actually wanted...But he didn’t. He continued to smile, and I think that confused so many. What was he thinking? What was he smiling about? Keep making him proud…Sparkle-HUT!

STARRED THOUGHT – “People learn in the presence of joy much faster than in the presence of tension.”
Let’s not forget what this is all about. It’s about the kids. It’s about “the Baby Band.” We cannot put our selfish feelings at the forefront. We need to make it a joyous environment for those who are still in the UMMB. Let them learn. Let them have and share the same types of experiences we had when we were there. THEY deserve it.

STARRED THOUGHT – “If you’re not excited, then FAKE IT!”
‘nuff said.

I’d like to end this with an analogy. – I have two distinct passions in my life. The UMMB and Disney World. Both are very similar. They were led by a visionary – someone with a gift! Those men obviously were George N. Parks and Walter E. Disney. Each of these men departed this world sooner than the people were ready to let go. It was tragic. It left many things unfinished. Walt’s Castle and Mr. Parks’ building.

Walt Disney through his life lived by his values and in his time was able to instill those values in those around him…So strongly that those values carry on from Disney generation to generation.  Every person who has the great opportunity to work at Disney buys into those values. It’s up to them, but they do it because “It’s the right thing to do.” (Thanks Mike K.)

Like Walt Disney, Mr. Parks instilled inside all of us a set of core values. It’s now up to us to decide if we will live by them as well.