A message to Plymouth High Schools student musicians (and really, everyone else for that matter, because the fact is--our lives are full)

As we head into the new year and a new month, and as we are all doing everything possible to make the most of the final hours of what has been an extended, and much needed vacation, I find myself looking at the calendar for what is to come over the next few weeks, and in turn, the next few months. Going through all of this, one thing is incredibly clear--

You guys put in a lot of hours.

Sometimes you put in entire days, entire weekends, entire afternoons after school, and entire weeks.

So as you look ahead at what's in front of you and begin to get overwhelmed about diving back into it all after sixteen glorious days of break, take some time tonight and think about why you do what you do.

The next couple of months are going to be a whirlwind. Concerts, rehearsals, festivals, competitions, auditions, MORE rehearsals, EVEN MORE rehearsals, EXTRA rehearsals for the groups that you're already rehearsing for, tech weeks, performances, the list goes on.  On top of that, some of you are called upon to lead rehearsals and arrange music. Others are working to balance jobs and other activities with what their ensembles and shows call for. You ALL are working to keep your grades up and strive academically throughout everything, and about a third of you are applying and auditioning at colleges. Some of you are doing, quite literally, every single thing listed here. You are all insane. 


The reason I'm writing more than a tweet here is to say, I know that the next few months are crazy. Your efforts are noticed, acknowledge and appreciated. As a program, we will take it day by day and get through the insanity together.

However, it's not enough to come out alive. You have two options when school starts tomorrow, and as it starts every day for the rest of the year:

1) Be afraid, intimidated and stressed by what's on your plate and let it defeat you


OR


2) Take on every day, rehearsal, class, application, workshop, performance, audition, shift, appointment, meeting, assignment, song, line and note as an opportunity to improve as people and musicians and prove that not only can you make it through without burning out, but you can let everything affect you for the better

What you do for the rest of this year can have a lasting impact on our program long past your own graduations. What you do each day has the potential to make an impact on our community, both large and small.  When you look at your schedules and it seems like way too much to handle, take a moment and remember why you put in these hours.  You've all experienced or seen the result of full commitment. 

Let's hit the ground running and see what we can achieve together for the rest of the school year