Everyone has a teacher that they will never forget. For me, that teacher was Mr. Nygaard. He was our amazing band/auxiliary director who led our team of misfits to ultimate high school band geek glory. In our high school, people came for the football, but they stayed for the half time show no matter how bad the game was. We were GOOD, no scratch that, we were the BEST. My senior year, we were the best in the entire state of California. I joined the auxiliary units as a sophomore, and spent my junior and senior year in positions of leadership. Those were some of the best, most memorable and most poignant moments of my young life.
Truthfully? Everything I need to know, I learned in Drill Team.
- Keep your eye on the prize especially when the prize keeps changing because you never know when or how you'll get there... but if you persevere, you'll get there.
- Practice makes perfect but it also makes you strong, confident and resilient.
- A team is only as strong as it's weakest member, so stand together.
- Say it with confidence and they will believe you.
- Keep smiling, even when you know you missed a step, because pride matters.
- You can tell you moved a crowd when you hit your final mark and you can't hear a thing over the roar of the crowd and the pounding of your heart.
- Admit when you're wrong, or you need help with something, it can be guaranteed someone else on your team can help.
- Try not to be envious of other teams abilities, learn from them, see their strengths and make them yours.
- Everyone has a creative piece to share, keep your eyes and ears open because you never know who will surprise you.
He was THE teacher who believed in each of his students, no matter what, even if you screwed up, he knew you had the potential to be better.
He was the one teacher I worked hardest for Every. Single. Day. As much as I craved his respect and admiration, I also knew he'd respect and admire me no matter what.
I'll never forget how he'd say to us, dripping sweat in the hot desert sun "Good. Do it again. One more time." And trust me, there are many times now in my adult life where I look in the mirror and steel myself to do it again, just one more time.
I won't forget the brilliance that was his field show to "Only Time Will Tell" or how the crowd went wild at the trumpet solo.
I will certainly never forget the night we won 20 trophies at Chino and he said proudly with glistening eyes that it was something we should NEVER forget because things like that didn't happen often. .
To this day, the sound of a drum corps still makes me want to start marching. To this day, when I see a parade or a field show, a huge part of me wants to get up and be a part of it: to feel the cool evening air on your face, the silence of the crowd as you march into place to the sound of a solitary snare drum, to hear the whistle bring the anticipation to a crescendo, and to hear the band ignite with passion as the flags, drill team and dancers take flight. I'd love to feel my body fly across the damp grass, the sticky vaseline on my teeth (seriously, gross, but you don't stop smiling) as I proudly give all I've got to the stands of eager crowds. I'd love just ONE MORE TIME to be in the 3rd circle of many concentric rings as we all hit our mark and bow as the trumpet soloist takes over in Only Time Will Tell (yes, Asia, what can I say, it was the 80s), just one more time to feel my heart pounding in my head, my hands tingling with excitement, and my feet aching in their wretched white vinyl boots.
Thank you, Mr. Robert Nygaard for giving us your all. Thank you for loving us more than you loved the trophies. Thank you for instilling in us a love of music, a respect for musicianship, and an understanding of teamwork. I don't know if you realize it, but we were your Opus. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: Heather | December 20, 2009 at 08:36 PM
Thank you Kori, for your eloquent words. Every student should have such a teacher just once in their life. I feel blessed to have had him influencing all of you in such a profound way.
Thank you Bob Nygaard!!!
Posted by: Ruby'sNana | December 20, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Perfect. Thank you for saying so beautifully how so many of us feel.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1535353387 | December 20, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Beautiful words! I couldn't agree more! Thank you for that! And Thank you Mr. Nygaard!
Posted by: Kelly | December 21, 2009 at 10:25 PM
this was AWESOME to read! What a wise and wonderful and caring teacher ... and what a beautiful tribute this post is.
Posted by: Kara | December 22, 2009 at 06:04 AM
YES YES YES!!!!! I remember all of that, & know what? I get to relive it with my oldest daughter now. & I still LOVE IT!!! Someday I hope Ruby can give that to you as well!!! It is awesome, that is for sure!!!!!
Posted by: Cristina | December 23, 2009 at 08:03 PM
what a beautiful tribute to one of those rare and amazing teachers that truly connect and impact. sorry for your loss and thanks, korin, for sharing:)
Posted by: leah | December 28, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Ugh. I miss band too, for all the reasons you mentioned and for the pride that brought my dad to tears during almost every show.
Posted by: Sarah Barker | December 28, 2009 at 02:01 PM