Hello YB,

How do you keep moving forward trusting the process even when your group continues to place low at contests despite mostly positive feedback from judges? What are the best ways to communicate this to disappointed students who are growing up in a “winning is everything” community?

For context, my campus had spring music/marching camps in May, music camps during the summer, and has squeezed out 8 hours of rehearsal each week after the school year started. The group shows definite growth from last year but still places low in competitive situations. I’ve been told by clinicians that we are heading in the right direction and doing all the right things but that I need to trust the process. As a director it’s tiring pouring my all into my work and not having anything to show for it, it’s also difficult putting on a brave face and praising students for how much they have improved as musicians despite them only seeing a last place score.

I love my job. I care deeply for my students and their musical journey. I’m familiar with “living/dying by the trophy” but I still feel like I’m setting myself on fire trying to encourage my students to be proud of their growth all while trying to have something to show for all the hours spent away from my family.