Are you new to the band? Read this article written by a band student who was once in your shoes.

Whether you’re transitioning from middle school to high school band or perhaps you’re just starting to learn an instrument your senior year in high school, the Smithfield-Selma Bands and Ensembles welcomes you. You will find that the community that the Smithfield-Selma Bands and Ensembles has to offer is vast and something you will appreciate long after your high school career. My purpose of this article is to give you some advice in your time spent in our program.

Second, be a team player. If there’s something you’re having trouble with, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many older members that are willing to help you. With that said, don’t be afraid if someone tries to help you. They are only trying to offer their knowledge for the greater good of the program. Likewise, if you see someone else having trouble with something, don’t be afraid to offer your help. Though we have full-time staff members, each staff member doesn’t have time to help each person individually and each upcoming member must understand that. Thus, it is necessary that our band program establishes a system of team work where members are not afraid to give and/or receive help from other members.

Third, don’t take anything for granted. Realize that all of our program’s accomplishments weren’t done in the work of one person. Everything that our program accomplishes isn’t possible without all of your classmates, all of the staff and especially all of the past members and staff. Everything we do is a continuing journey and it is essential that new members know that a band program isn’t built in a day and many long hours are put into the program in order to maintain its success. Appreciate your classmate’s hours of hard work and know that we appreciate your hours.

With all that said, I just wanted to say thank you. Each member’s contribution is essential to the overall success of this program and know that every little bit counts!

Band Member