Inspirational
comments from brass instructor Kevin Matthew on the Saturday, May 31, 2003,
BBQ and the Sunday, June 1, 2003, alumni corps rehearsalWell, I think it is my turn to give my personal report on this group. I have
been with the Toronto Optimist for 5 months now. In that time, I have gone
from hearing a group that sounded like a lopsided bunch of lead soprano
players and couple of other horn players. This past weekend, I heard a
horn-line. A horn-line with 3 sections in the Sopranos, two sections in the
Mellophones, 3 sections in the baritone line and of course, "The Contras". I
love the Contra's!
I got three chills this weekend while teaching, once
during a chord sequence during warm-up. The boys were listening and
accomplished a balanced chord that was the prettiest thing I have heard you
play.
Once during the new tune "Battle Cry", and once upstairs
in a room full of people who met each other, 40 to 50 some years ago. I had
never heard your corps song before and didn't know that you had one. I
looked around to see everyone singing the song, except for a few Newbee's.
(Including myself)
I asked a few people when they had last sang this song.
Except for a couple that said 4 or 5 years ago at another reunion. Most said
40 some years ago. All they needed was the first couple of words and then
they remembered it like it was yesterday that they had last sung it.
To hear people around me talking about when their "next
sectional is", and at "who's house", it simply blew me away! I have taught
for over 12 years now and have never heard any of my students say those
words. I see something special happening here that I have never seen happen
before.
A common goal, to be great once again!
Well, you are on the path to greatness. All I can offer
you now is a bit of advice.
-
Decide what
you want.
-
Take action
-- desire is not enough.
-
Figure out
what's working for you, and drop what isn't.
- Continually change your approach until you achieve
what you want.
You can use this advice in all aspects of life. Of course
there's much more to this formula than these simple steps. But this is a
great foundation from which to start.
To achieve greatness, requires goals and practice!
Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this!
Kevin Matthew
