Message from the Director of Bands TCHS

Dear Parents and Members of the Band Family,

I wanted to take a brief moment to extend a heart-fealt "Thank you" for the warm welcome that you have already extended to my wife and I. We can hardly wait to begin this exciting year, and hopefully add a small chapter in the history of the Wildcat Band Program. There will be a tremendous amount of hard work and time needed to complete this year in a successful fashion. I have learned that there is a highly capable and active group of students, parents, and boosters at TCHS. Together, I can only imagine the endless possibilities and benchmarks that we can reach this year.

A band program, such as this gives us all so many different types of rewards. We learn the life-long skills of teamwork, selflessness, diligence, and responsibility. These lasting lessons will stick with us in every avenue/path that we take in life. In addition to the various levels of musicality and physical coordination, band allows the students to build strong relationships with their fellow members: a feeling of accomplishment when overcoming obstacles together. All of these things are by-products of an uneding "Drive Toward Perfection."

If I can emphasize one key ingredient to this year's success it would be "Flexibility." The greatest athletes, businessmen, artists, and laborers know how to adapt. They constantly accept and embrace change in order to make themselves more efficient and well-rounded at their craft. With two new members to the TCHS Band Staff there are sure to be some changes. Please know that I will spend much of this year learning the way things have "always been done." I am a firm believer in tradition and the important role it plays in the success of any program. I would ask for all of us to be willing to try things in a different way. I love the old motto "100 different ways to skin a cat" (pardon the imagery). We will be using some new and sometimes "strange" methods to get to an end result. Together we can come up with the best and most efficient way to accomplish our goals.

I cannot express into words how excited I am over the potential of all the pieces in place at TCHS. I feel that we have an exceptional mix of students, parents, and staff that can reach towards new heights in the coming year. We will be tackling some large obstacles this year in the marching band and concert areas of musical/visual performance. Please continue to encourage your students through good times and, most importantly, in tough times. Band is an activity where the greatest achievements are realized when the highest of expectations are in front of you. I have incredibly high expectations for this band program, and I know that together we can reach each and every one of them. Best wishes this year and GO WILDCATS!

I am usually in the band room from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Please feel free to call me during these times. My number is (205) 342-2670.

Sincerely,

Mark Andrews
Director of Bands TCHS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email Mark Andrews
Director of Bands

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