LEADERSHIP
Student Leadership Overview (REQUIRED READING)
Before applying for a student leadership position, please consider the following:
1. Leadership is a position of service to the organization and your peers. It is the acceptance of significant responsibilities and extra work, the commitment to extra time, and the decision to demonstrate selflessness at all times. If you want to be a student leader to gain recognition for yourself, you should reconsider applying. When you assume a leadership position, the band as a whole becomes your priority. Many young people see a leadership position as the chance to be in charge, to tell others what to do, to delegate work, and to put themselves in a posture of authority. Nothing could be further from the truth. The essence of an effective leader lies in the student’s ability to serve others, to create success for the people in the organization. It is the opportunity to give, to contribute, to roll up one’s sleeves and begin moving in a positive direction.
2. Leaders are expected to be impartial to all band members. The obvious example of this is the expectation that leaders will not give preferential treatment to their friends, or people they like. More difficult is the expectation that leaders will reach out to those students with who they may have personality conflicts as well as those students who tend to get lost or blend in with the crowd. This is a continuous process that is practiced on and off the field, in season and out of season.
3. To be selected as a student leader, a candidate must have demonstrated the ability to accept criticism, and to be able to carry out instructions in a manner consistent with the expectations of the staff.
4. Student leaders are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances with no conflicts other than severe illness or significant family events (weddings, funerals, etc.). Leaders are also expected to attend scheduled leadership workshops and meetings.
5. Student leaders will be the first to arrive at rehearsals and performances and the last to leave.
6. Student leaders must demonstrate competence on their instrument/equipment as well as in marching technique. It is the leader’s job to assist all section members in knowing their music/routine work and drill.
7. Student leaders are expected to demonstrate and foster leadership on and off the field. It is expected that you will be a good custodian of the band’s reputation in social situations as well as the performance/rehearsal environment - in other words, that you will lead by example as well as actively mentoring other members who may be behaving in an inappropriate manner, whether in the stands, at rehearsals, or anywhere else.
Leadership Application Requirements
- A letter of recommendation from a teacher or community member attributing to your character and work ethic
- A progress report with a minimum average of 70
- A 1/2 page essay on what the concept of “servant leadership” means to you.
Please turn all three of these into Mr. Warren for consideration by March 31st.
Please consider that age, class, or section standing does not guarantee a leadership position. A section does NOT have to have a section leader.
Before applying for a student leadership position, please consider the following:
1. Leadership is a position of service to the organization and your peers. It is the acceptance of significant responsibilities and extra work, the commitment to extra time, and the decision to demonstrate selflessness at all times. If you want to be a student leader to gain recognition for yourself, you should reconsider applying. When you assume a leadership position, the band as a whole becomes your priority. Many young people see a leadership position as the chance to be in charge, to tell others what to do, to delegate work, and to put themselves in a posture of authority. Nothing could be further from the truth. The essence of an effective leader lies in the student’s ability to serve others, to create success for the people in the organization. It is the opportunity to give, to contribute, to roll up one’s sleeves and begin moving in a positive direction.
2. Leaders are expected to be impartial to all band members. The obvious example of this is the expectation that leaders will not give preferential treatment to their friends, or people they like. More difficult is the expectation that leaders will reach out to those students with who they may have personality conflicts as well as those students who tend to get lost or blend in with the crowd. This is a continuous process that is practiced on and off the field, in season and out of season.
3. To be selected as a student leader, a candidate must have demonstrated the ability to accept criticism, and to be able to carry out instructions in a manner consistent with the expectations of the staff.
4. Student leaders are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances with no conflicts other than severe illness or significant family events (weddings, funerals, etc.). Leaders are also expected to attend scheduled leadership workshops and meetings.
5. Student leaders will be the first to arrive at rehearsals and performances and the last to leave.
6. Student leaders must demonstrate competence on their instrument/equipment as well as in marching technique. It is the leader’s job to assist all section members in knowing their music/routine work and drill.
7. Student leaders are expected to demonstrate and foster leadership on and off the field. It is expected that you will be a good custodian of the band’s reputation in social situations as well as the performance/rehearsal environment - in other words, that you will lead by example as well as actively mentoring other members who may be behaving in an inappropriate manner, whether in the stands, at rehearsals, or anywhere else.
Leadership Application Requirements
- A letter of recommendation from a teacher or community member attributing to your character and work ethic
- A progress report with a minimum average of 70
- A 1/2 page essay on what the concept of “servant leadership” means to you.
Please turn all three of these into Mr. Warren for consideration by March 31st.
Please consider that age, class, or section standing does not guarantee a leadership position. A section does NOT have to have a section leader.
