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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Leadership (03/14/05)
“Owen, you sound like you’re playing with a couple of wet noodles!" Complete and utter silence filled the room although ripples of laughter threatened to erupt any second. Laughing could get you in more trouble than you ever imagined. Was he in a good mood today?
He raised his arms and again the sounds of “Nordic Trilogy” filled the auditorium. Suddenly, a chair was catapulted through the air with death-defying speed and crashed with a thud against the stage. The music stopped.
All eyes were riveted on this man, as he paced the floor. Back and forth, back and forth he marched, staring up and down the rows of clarinets, flutes and tubas, searching for his next victim.
“Stand up and play your part Paula and it better be flawless.” My heart pounded for my friend and I prayed she wouldn’t mess up. Thankfully she didn’t.
“You guys couldn’t play "Mary had a little lamb" and make it sound good!” No one dared breath. “Our trip is two weeks away and you expect to entertain the Queen of England.” My insides tossed and churned like a canoe in a hurricane. I wanted to quit and this wasn’t the first time I had considered it.
Practices were grueling, but that wasn’t the problem. He was.
Somehow I survived those five years with Mr. G. as our conductor. During that time we performed at Expo ’70 in Japan and Windsor Castle in England. We also cut a record album and performed numerous concerts. On the surface, very few bands could rival our success. In our community, he was well respected and looked up to for his ambition, drive and leadership with the youth.
Only the members of our dedicated band of young people knew the motivating force behind his ability to lead. Fear!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Karen Deikun
03/22/05
This was a sad story. Unfortunately many think they are leading when all they do is intimidate. This was a look at someone wh did not deserve to be a leader.
donna robinson
03/22/05
I remember how my daughter had such a love of music and couldn't wait to get into the high school band, The first year was good then the teacher of the class seemed to change. Sarcastic remarks seem to be his way of dealing. What was once a group of talented and enthusiastic kids slowly degenerated into quitting the thing they loved. What a shame. A good story here as it's not the end result the leader gets, but the in between he gets before success.