Band Students go to B.L.T. in American Fork

Submitted by david.thacker on

B.L.T.’s are not just “healthy” sandwiches.  On Monday, June 1st select student leaders from the Spanish Fork Junior and Senior High School Band were invited to participate in a four hour “B.L.T.” workshop in American Fork, UT.

For several years American Fork High School has hosted one of the best leadership training clinics in the country.  Educator, best-selling author, and one of the country’s most respected authorities in the field of human potential, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, along with Dr. John Villella (Dean for the College of Performing Arts at West Chester University) engaged over 160 students and future leaders with what it means to be a “student leader.”  

Students, directors, and parents in attendance were kept on the edge of their seats for four hours straight and were constantly challenged to expand their comfort zones. Dr. Tim would frequently ask the room to reset and silently relocate to a new seat. When working together, students were never allowed to be next to someone they already knew or from their own schools. Students learned through activities and examples how leadership was a way of life.  They learned that being a teen leader means going beyond being an “average teen.”

“Average teens are not given the responsibility of another life where everything about their attitude and behavior can make it or break it for other students,” Dr. Tim said as he expressed how excited he was to see youth with maturity. “Maturity is the ability to understand how your behavior affects others.”   

Students attended workshops covering many topics including ethics, being a good role model, and being an advocate not only for themselves but for others.  Emphasis was placed on the whys, how’s, and what’s of being leaders who care. Leaders are people who listen more, who are more enthusiastic, who acknowledge being a leader can be difficult.  Leaders need to be dedicated, have more energy, are responsible, and are sensitive to needs of others. Mature leaders are those who communicate well, have positive attitude and control their emotions, are responsible, and demonstrate excellence in all they do as role models.  

Students in Attendance: Bennett Brinton (tpt), Lucas Delgreco (tbn), Jared Christiansen (tba), Jordan DeYoung (fl), Chelsea Froelich (fh)

Digesting the B.L.T.—Students Respond:

“Being a leader is not everyone supporting you, it’s you supporting everyone else. Helping everyone do their best helps to do your best and when we do our best together, it makes the environment much you more enjoyable.” –Tanner Stone, Senior Clarinetist and Don Drum Major, SFHS.

“A leader can never go down in their standards. A leader has to have the highest standards because everyone following them will always be just a bit behind them.”—Bennett Brinton, Freshman and Lobo Trumpeter, SFJr.

“Sitting up straight and smiling is more impactful than being a good musician. I need to be more of a ten, as Dr. Tim would say, in everything I do at school; talk a little less, pay attention a little more, and I’ll better myself, the school, and the band.”—Seth Fallon, Senior Trumpeter and High Brass Section Leader, SFHS.

“Communication is not necessarily a verbal language” –Bennett Brinton, Freshman and Lobo Trumpet SFJr.

“Communication is not just in how you talk to someone, it’s how you look at the person, how you stand, and you acknowledge them. As a good leader, I’m going to going to fake having a good time even if I’m not just so that people can see I have a good attitude, which isn’t a problem for me because I enjoy everything I do in band.”—Lucas Delgreco, Freshman and Lobo Trombonist, SFJr.

“Being a good leader means not being selfish, helping other people when they need help, and how to be social in how to talk to people. I’ll be a good leader next year by working hard to become a good leader and helping others. I learned you need to work together and not just by yourself and watch other people, telling them when they mess up and praise them when they do well.”—Jared Christiansen, Freshman and Lobo Tubist, SFJr.

After being asked about the lessons of the workshop: “It’s about how do we help people to be their best and it’s great to have everybody hear.... All the principles are good and you can use it on so many levels, on yourself and just everything in life.“—Matthew Froelich, Social Worker and Proud Band Parent.

 No off-season for the Spanish Fork Bands:  

On July 9th, Spanish Fork Junior High band members took a field trip to Drum Corps International.

We can wait to hear about their experience!

Attributions
by Matthew Wendell