Four years have flown by. You never thought you would get to this point — the point where it all comes together. In fact, you have found yourself sitting around and thinking that it was only a month ago when you arrived at AED for your audition to the department; that it was only two weeks ago when you arrived for band camp; that it was only yesterday when you played your first semester jury--AND PASSED! You never thought you would get through those events, let alone make it through Sophomore Review, but you did. And now, you have been running around for the last month making sure you have just the right clothes and just the right materials. Your car has been serviced and you have found 8 different ways to drive to your first assignment just in case there is an accident or traffic on your first 7 choices.
Take a deep breath because the bottom line is YES, YOU ARE READY!! You have all sorts of knowledge you cannot wait to use. You have all sorts of ideas you want to try. And most importantly, you will be surrounded by plenty of people who have been "in the business" for a long time who are willing to help you, and WANT you to succeed!
Get involved in as many different aspects of your placement assignments as you can. Go beyond the daily school schedule. Attend faculty meetings with your cooperating teacher. Attend after school rehearsals. Attend band parent/booster club meetings. Talk with other teachers in other disciplines about cross-curricular ideas. And the list goes on and on. The point is: GET INVOLVED! This is your last chance to pick the brains of as many professionals as you can because before you blink YOU will be the professional and people will be turning to you for advice, guidance and leadership.
