Here’s the other one, for the hell of it

Name: Vincent Lee

Office(s) I am seeking: Woodwind Captain, Flute Section Leader

VRHS Officer Questionnaire

1. In my opinion, what are the strengths of the Vista Ridge Band?

One of the luxuries the Vista Ridge Band enjoys the most is the exceptional quality of musicianship. We are fortunate to have extremely capable staff and teachers at all levels that have trained excellent musicians that strive for and expect the best.

2. What are the opportunities for improvement in the Vista Ridge Band?

From observation of past seasons, the spirit and motivation of the band as a whole is quite volatile. It seems that we sometimes are beat down by unforeseen circumstances and fail to generate the momentum to overcome it. In addition, individual passion for the group is lacking at times. Negativity occasionally infects a part of the group, leading to less effective/productive rehearsals and decreased mood of the whole group.

3. What are some possible solutions to the opportunities described above?

Such volatility can be stabilized by thinking with the end goal in mind. By analyzing and learning from mistakes instead of being embarrassed and irritated by them has the potential of elevating our band’s work ethic and standards to new heights. Negativity is difficult to combat in that it is easy for the mind to succumb to it. It takes nearly double the positivity to counter a given amount of negativity. By identifying the source of the negativity and eliminating/confronting it, we can make sure that no negativity impedes our goals this season.

4. What are realistic goals for the band in 2013-2014?
   1. To learn and develop our show objectively, with the end goal in mind.
   2. To not be defeated by our failures, but instead maintain our passion and use it to further our learning
   3. Eliminate negativity through logic and dedication
   4. Develop our show to its fullest potential, leaving no what-ifs behind us as we move on. Too much work goes into marching shows for us to waste. We owe it to our leaders, parents, anyone that has ever had hopes for us to work our hardest to ensure their efforts were not in vain.
5. The quality I most respect in a leader is ….

I most respect a leader’s perseverance. Many times, leaders lose faith in their own activity, and their passion burns out. In those times, it is even more important that we continue to model high standards, proper behavior, and motivation to work to others. If even the leaders give up, who will continue? We must trust in ourselves and the work we do to right the situation.

6. The quality I least respect in a leader is ….

I least respect the egotistical and conceited attitude of some leaders. This is often based on the exceptional skills these “leaders” possess. As leader, it is your responsibility not only to be an example of skill, but also one of character. By providing such a poor example, you are in fact spreading your own bad character. While no personality is perfect and all humans have their flaws, we can all put forth our best effort to ensure that our own imperfections are not transferred to the future leaders of the program.

7. What I fear most about being a leader…

As a first time candidate, I feel my weakness will be in developing a strong leader’s personality and role model. It is a daunting task, as everyone expects more from a leader. My lack of prior experience evokes some doubt about my own ability to rise to the occasion. Despite this, I will continue to seek opportunities to improve myself as both a performer and a teacher.

8. What I am most excited about being a leader…

Most candidates entering the leadership process have one main drive: passion. It is our passion for the program and its improvement that spurs us to take up the helm and lead others. I am truly excited for the possibilities of achievement available to us this upcoming season. Scheherazade is an exceptional selection and we have the successes of last season to bolster our motivation and passion. Merely thinking about being announced in the Alamodome as a State Marching Contest contestant sends chills of excitement through me.

9. Once marching season is over, how can I still be an effective leader?

While the duties of a section leader/captain are largely relieved by concert season, I can still be an effective leader by demonstrating high levels of musicianship, dedication and willingness to work. I can also assist the directors with whatever miscellaneous tasks that may occur (such as setup, copying, etc.)

10. List the five most important traits of an effective leader.
    1. Patient – An effective leader and teacher cannot be short-tempered. Losing temper and allowing emotions to spill over chaotically not only is a bad example for others, but also deters students and prospective members, tarnishing the image of the activity.
    2. Humble – As described in Section 6, I highly value the humility of a leader. While it is important to have respectable abilities and confidence in yourself, it is important to not let yourself drown in complacency and pride. The first purpose of a leader is to serve those being led. Doing this requires that we, for lack of more familiar words, “set our ego aside.”
    3. Communicative – Proper communication skills are vital to every leader. Without those, it is difficult to coordinate with other leaders, your own leaders, and those being led. This can lead to a loss of control in logistics and organizations, making progress, in rehearsal or otherwise, difficult.
    4. Respectful – Along similar lines to the section above, a leader must know their place in the hierarchy. Following instructions set by your own leaders is a must; by respecting people and their opinions, we can gain valuable knowledge that can be applied not only to the program, but to ourselves as well to improve as leaders.
    5. Analytical – An analytical mind is another key in the leadership puzzle. A good leader must be able to identify problems, their causes, and provide possible well-thought-out (as time allows) solutions.