My First High School Band concert as the director.

Last Thursday was my first high school band concert of the year and it was in fact the firs high school concert that I have directed all on my own. I didn't sleep for about a week before the concert because I was so nervous about everything. I am kind of an organized freak and very much a perfectionist! I want everything to happen my way; perfectly!! I was nervous about the logistics of resetting the stage, all the students showing up on time, the students wearing the right attire, me getting lost in my own music as I was conducting, and just the band being able to make it through all of their pieces. The night played over and over and over and over in my head until concert night actually arrived! There were many different endings to the evening in my dreams, however the real ending was in fact the best. I was so proud of my students! They went out there and looked and sounded like professionals. They all were wearing their black and white outfits, they were neat and tidy looking, they were not chewing gum, they sat/stood where the were supposed, they put their instruments up when they were supposed to, and they played a really beautifully sounding concert, and I never got lost in my own music! I could not have been happier. I admit that the beginning of this school year was not easy for me or my students!! But all the work and effort really paid off when I watched the results of the concert. I truly believe that the students really felt good to be a part of a group that looked and sounded as great as they did!! Bravo!! AHHHHHH...it's over with. Now I get to start working on all new music which isn't exactly exciting - it's like starting all over again. More stress and sleepless nights! sigh.