There was a day that I thought the measure of my success was based on how many trophies my marching band won and Superior ratings my concert bands attained.  I was particularly proud of the high percentage of my students who went on to music schools thinking surely, this would be another significant demonstration of my success.  I am embarrassed to say it took me awhile to figure out that while all of those things were positives, there had to be something deeper.  I decided that something had to be “making a difference in the quality of the lives of my students.”

Today I received a letter from one of my former students.  This was a young lady I had back in the 90’s.  A young lady who was struggling trying to find her place in the world.  Lacking a father figure in her life, she had learned to make her way by being tough and argumentative and I was often the person with whom she was arguing.  Seeing something in her that she was unable to see herself, I challenged her every chance I could get.  Today, along with the letter, was a “first run copy” of her new book.  She wanted me to have it as her gift to me for being the father figure she needed at the time.  That….my friends….is a measure of my success!

I am fully aware that each of us must measure our success in our own way.  Clearly there was nothing wrong with wanting my programs to be strong and my student musicians to be successful.  What I had to learn was that for ME, those things were truly a product of caring about the kid, more than I cared about the musician.  I am deeply touched that a student I had 25 years ago thought enough about me to share this wonderful gift.  I hope you all have similar success.

Make Today a Magnificent Day!

Gary L Rupert

Lead Mentor/COO

II:Leaders Creating:II Leaders

LCL Mentors @ Marching Arts Education