Good morning everyone,
I'm back at school and feeling refreshed after a great get together last night with some new friends.
We had the inaugural meeting last night for our new Juvenile program. Two Rivers Juvenile. A few families couldn't make it out last night, but even still we had 3 snare students, 7 piping students, and a tenor drummer who took to spinning like a duck to water.
Next week we'll have everyone out and we'll be up and running.
I was very proud of the instructors last night. They did a fabulous job keeping the kids busy and interested while Gale Walker and I addressed the parents on the business end. Later the instructors jammed a little bit and the kids were hooked. Well done!
A great friend of the band came down last night to drop off some instructional materials for Ian and I. As many of you remember Bob Cooper was once the Drum Sergeant of the SASPB grade 3 band (which became the grade 2 band) and he lead us to a North American Championship and countless provincial drumming titles.
It was great to hang out with Bob. He was my instructor from day one, taught me how to hold my sticks. So as I, and the other instructors, take on the responsibility of teaching a band it was really helpful sharing teaching philosophies and remembering where I came from.
I still remember my first Transcona pipe band practice. I walked into a school out in the middle of a field in Transcona and proceeded to tell Pipe Major George Lawrence I wanted to play bagpipes............
I know... please don't tell anyone.
I was then told I was to old and it would take to long to teach me to play. So, Bob took me in. I remember meeting this seemingly giant man. At the time Bob was still working with the Winnipeg Police Service and he frequently wore nice suits, mock turtle necks, and sunglasses to practice. I tell ya you did anything not to make that man angry.
The amazing thing is once I got to know Bob, he's the nicest fella you'll ever meet, and now that I'm 24 he doesn't seem quite so enormous either!
Bob is the kind of guy I think we should all try and emulate in pipe bands. He'll do anything to help anyone. While many have complained about our new Juvenile band, Bob came down to see it, encourage us, welcome the competition (he teaches the Lord Selkirk Boys Band), and share some material.
He's always a phone call or email away from advice and years of experience. An invaluable resource in an association that, for the most part, doesn't communicate that well.
So, I'd like to communicate one thing to everyone and anyone who reads this blog. C'mon down. Pop in to any St. Andrew's practice. Hang out and meet the crew afterwards. See how we do what we do. We'd love to have you!
See you at the Legions!
Sean
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