I guess I should have assumed putting together a band would not be an easy task. This is Will, the band director. I decided to write an entry to talk [or type!] a little about some of the things i've learned this year performing with Dysfunktional.
Now let me start by saying I love my students. The reason I say "students" is because I believe we are all students in this band, learning one from another how to be the best at what we do. I also say we are all teachers, because I think everyone has something to contribute to the band in terms of teaching. Sometimes a band member might make a suggestion, such as Jolene perhaps asking "Hey Will, maybe we should build up this section in it's repeats, giving it more of a punch at the end!". I would have never thought of something like that, so indeed I feel as if my fellow band members always teach me something every time we play a piece. In an alternate scenario, Sebastien might get a nose bleed seconds before going on stage. I've learned that a spare set of tissues always comes in handy for those "little" unexpected issues.
In all seriousness, my band teaches me a lot. I've learned how to be a leader. It is important as a leader to never discourage a member of the band, and make sure each and every one of them is essential to the expressive process. I have already failed at this as a leader. I sometimes don't ensure everyone is happy within a decision I make which I why I'm trying more and more to confide in my peers before deciding on a road to take. Often we might not be able to make a gig which can send a rather miserable tone throughout the group. Sure we might not all be able to make it to all the gigs, but if a member is missing, it's just not the same "Dysfunk" I have come to known and love.
It is also important to listen to what your peers have to say, and communicate efficiently with them about what we want to accomplish in a task. I have also failed at this as a leader. Sometimes I get so preoccupied with what I want to do, I don't even dare ask what others think. This is something I have realized is a fault and that i'm presently working on. After all, it's important to acknowledge our defaults but however fix them and make the most of it. I'm not saying i'm a perfect leader because I'm not, but I sure am learning to how get better at it.
I have maybe never admitted this before, but there have been moments where I've wanted to cry out of joy for the tiniest of things that make me happy. I remember specifically standing in the audience area before a private performance in April, as the band played Kaboom Pow for soundcheck. The first run was honestly, quite dull. The energy in the room was dead, things sounded weak and there was nothing to groove to. I asked my band to do 10 jumping jacks to create energy, and I asked Howard our drummer to just let it rip on the kit. The change was unimaginable. The little "dysfunk" I have always known, grew into a wild beast that was insanely intimidating yet extremely seductive at the same time. Everyone sounded sexy and on point, with an energy that had a sharp bite to it. After having a series of what I like to call: "music-gasms", I wanted to cry out of joy of how proud of my band I was that they had responded so greatly my criticism. They had truly become : MUSICIANS.
So the reason I have decided to write this blog, is actually quite ironic. I'm in a little bit of a stump right now, as I am starting to reach a point where I personally feel as if I am peaking at the level of my leadership. I feel sometimes perhaps I don't provide the best path for my fellow team-mates as the quarter back, because we keep getting hit hard by the opponent. A lot of gigs are coming up soon and I want us to be as warmed up as we can be for these performances, so I enjoy reflecting back on some of the great moments we shared as a team. I hope we will amaze more audiences this summer and I still aspire to be the next huge break-out "funk" band! I will work hard for it I promise you!
Now let me start by saying I love my students. The reason I say "students" is because I believe we are all students in this band, learning one from another how to be the best at what we do. I also say we are all teachers, because I think everyone has something to contribute to the band in terms of teaching. Sometimes a band member might make a suggestion, such as Jolene perhaps asking "Hey Will, maybe we should build up this section in it's repeats, giving it more of a punch at the end!". I would have never thought of something like that, so indeed I feel as if my fellow band members always teach me something every time we play a piece. In an alternate scenario, Sebastien might get a nose bleed seconds before going on stage. I've learned that a spare set of tissues always comes in handy for those "little" unexpected issues.
In all seriousness, my band teaches me a lot. I've learned how to be a leader. It is important as a leader to never discourage a member of the band, and make sure each and every one of them is essential to the expressive process. I have already failed at this as a leader. I sometimes don't ensure everyone is happy within a decision I make which I why I'm trying more and more to confide in my peers before deciding on a road to take. Often we might not be able to make a gig which can send a rather miserable tone throughout the group. Sure we might not all be able to make it to all the gigs, but if a member is missing, it's just not the same "Dysfunk" I have come to known and love.
It is also important to listen to what your peers have to say, and communicate efficiently with them about what we want to accomplish in a task. I have also failed at this as a leader. Sometimes I get so preoccupied with what I want to do, I don't even dare ask what others think. This is something I have realized is a fault and that i'm presently working on. After all, it's important to acknowledge our defaults but however fix them and make the most of it. I'm not saying i'm a perfect leader because I'm not, but I sure am learning to how get better at it.
I have maybe never admitted this before, but there have been moments where I've wanted to cry out of joy for the tiniest of things that make me happy. I remember specifically standing in the audience area before a private performance in April, as the band played Kaboom Pow for soundcheck. The first run was honestly, quite dull. The energy in the room was dead, things sounded weak and there was nothing to groove to. I asked my band to do 10 jumping jacks to create energy, and I asked Howard our drummer to just let it rip on the kit. The change was unimaginable. The little "dysfunk" I have always known, grew into a wild beast that was insanely intimidating yet extremely seductive at the same time. Everyone sounded sexy and on point, with an energy that had a sharp bite to it. After having a series of what I like to call: "music-gasms", I wanted to cry out of joy of how proud of my band I was that they had responded so greatly my criticism. They had truly become : MUSICIANS.
So the reason I have decided to write this blog, is actually quite ironic. I'm in a little bit of a stump right now, as I am starting to reach a point where I personally feel as if I am peaking at the level of my leadership. I feel sometimes perhaps I don't provide the best path for my fellow team-mates as the quarter back, because we keep getting hit hard by the opponent. A lot of gigs are coming up soon and I want us to be as warmed up as we can be for these performances, so I enjoy reflecting back on some of the great moments we shared as a team. I hope we will amaze more audiences this summer and I still aspire to be the next huge break-out "funk" band! I will work hard for it I promise you!