Zee Grega posted a second blog about NWJPB after the Grade 4 band’s Whidbey Island Highland Games victory, and mentioned a very important part of what NWJPB does; almost unconsciously, as part of our mission to teach youth to play Scottish Bagpipes and drums. NWJPB and other similar youth music organizations give kids a place to belong, something that is more valuable than watching TV or playing a video game, and generally help combat the problems kid face when they’re “bored”. To be a very good piper or drummer takes significant practice, focus, and dedication. NWJPB members spend as much as two or three practices a week together (more during some weeks), most take private lessons besides that, and many practice daily. Since January, there has been 3.5 performances or competitions per month; almost every week. They meet other kids interested in similar things, and many of them visit piping and drumming camps such as the Highland Musical Arts school, Piping Hot Summer Drummer, the Couer d’Alene Summer School of Piping & Drumming, or the Mastery of Scottish Arts School coming up in February 2008. Many NWJPB members attended these schools in 2007. At these schools, you not only get to work with some of the best instructors in the world, who truly love teaching Scottish piping and drumming, but you learn that there are many more youth who love what you love, too.
I debated over the title of this post for a while…but NWJPB does build strong humans. It’s a side effect of our committed and positive instruction, dedicated and supportive volunteers, and incredible families who join the Northwest Junior Pipe Band…not always knowing how much time this activity takes, but knowing that it looks fun, it’s different from many other music options, and that the band is a positive place for kids to learn. It’s the reason so many of us contribute our time and money to building a stronger organization.
The moments where you see a child “turn a corner” and grab on to piping and drumming…determined to get better at it; when you hear that they’re not “bored” all the time anymore, and when you hear from community members “you’ve really saved them from themselves”. When you see them step up and take leadership roles or responsibilities, protect their other band mates, cheer for them when they’re competing in solos or band. Those are the moments that keep you going…when you know you just have to cook 20 more burgers in 5 minutes for the fundraiser at the Whidbey Island Highland Games, or arrange transportation for 60 people to travel to Scotland. Those moments that fill you with pride and you have hope for the future of our youth. That’s the wonderful side-effect of NWJPB and this work we do. You get talent and pride…and strong humans.
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