03/27/2024
IPHS Band Family - Warning EXTREMELY LONG POST
On September 12, 1962, President Kennedy outlined a new direction for the country. In his address to the nation, Kennedy set the United States of America on a trajectory that would eventually culminate in man landing on the moon. This goal seemed audacious and immensely challenging, leading many to doubt its feasibility. Some even questioned Kennedy's motives, accusing him of pursuing this monumental task for personal or political gain. However, even in the wake of his passing, Kennedy's leadership and vision endured, paving the way for the historic achievement on July 20, 1969, a mere 66 years after the first human took flight.
With this being said, your IPHS wind ensemble will play its UIL concert contest selections next Monday, April 1st, at 6:00 pm at the high school auditorium. This concert is a culmination of years of planning and many hours of hard work and dedication by your students. As directors, we put forth to your students a vision and put in place a plan to help them achieve these goals. By doing so your students have shifted the entire culture and atmosphere of the band program in Iowa Park. This change did not happen overnight. This vision and series of following events were set into motion over 3 years ago. This year’s parent concert and the following contest will be the highlight of that vision.
In recent years, your students have been exposed to, learned, and performed some of the most challenging musical literature available. Some have questioned the necessity and suitability of this path, deeming it too difficult for your students. However, since embarking on this new journey, your students have not only met the challenge but have also garnered recognition from individuals across the state and the nation. As a highlight of this recognition, your students in 2022 earned an invitation to participate in the 76th Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois which is a highly prestigious honor. In addition to receiving numerous sweepstakes awards, they have also maintained the standard of excellence set forth and upheld by some of you, including those reading this, for over 42 years.
We say all this so you will understand exactly what your students have gone through over the past few years. A wise man once said, “Preparation is the mother, and willpower is the grandmother, of success”. True success is not defined by external factors but by internal measures. Your students are not a success because of something a judge or critique may say or do. They are successful because they did what they needed to do when they needed to do it.
As we move forward we will not now, or ever, allow outside factors to determine our self-worth or happiness. We will take pride and find value in the work that was done, the focus that was achieved, and the preparation that was put into each and every note. We challenged your students. We made choices. We knew it would be difficult. However, we will not focus on the results, ratings, or thoughts of others, but trust in our preparation and the commitment to our journey because, "preparation wins no matter the rating or score". You may ask, “Why did you choose this path”?
Simple....
We chose to do this, not because it was easy, but because it WAS HARD!
Please consider coming to WFHS on April 3rd at 1:55pm to see and hear what the IPHS band has been preparing.
Thank you,
Mr. Bradberry
Director of Bands
Iowa Park High School
Class of '94
