Greetings to all Santo Band students and parents! I want to take a moment to tell you a little about myself. My name is Robert Friesenhahn and I am entering my 3rd year of band directing. I came from Rising Star ISD, which is the same place where Mr. Riley began his career. I helped Rising Star achieve the first ever sweepstakes in school history! I was honored when I received a call from Mr. Riley asking me to come be the new band director in Santo and to replace him. I consider Mr. Riley a legend in the band directing world and have the utmost respect for what has been established at Santo and the accomplishments of the band! Why do I tell you all this? Because I want you to rest easy in the knowledge that I have ‘been there, done that’ in the band world--you are not going to have to train a rookie band director! CHANGE: The second Mr. Riley decided to step down, change became inevitable. I know, change can be scary—it is for me too, yet I am excited and eager to begin my work with you! TRADITION: I have a colleague who used to say: “the kids think anything we do more than once is a tradition.” I don’t think you are that shallow, but there is a kernel of truth here as we know it is human nature to resist change. However, rest assured that I have every intention of respecting the important and long standing traditions of the Santo Band. However I ask YOU to keep an open mind and an open heart. We may move our feet differently, we probably will rehearse differently, and we may even play a different stand tune at the end of the third quarter. I ask you to try to separate “tradition” from “routine”—some of your normal routines will change because the leadership has changed. But a few months down the road these new routines will be just that, routine! I intend to come to each rehearsal full of energy, excitement, and wonder, and expect that you will as well. If we trust each other, and give our best efforts at all times, we will have a fabulous year! It is important that you take note of the dates/times, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the week. We have much to accomplish and I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know each and every one of you.. I KNOW band is important in your life, so I am confident that you will make it work. I am SO EXCITED and HONORED to be working with YOU, and I can’t wait to meet you. NOW, go find your band instrument and make sure it still works! Robert Friesenhahn Director of Bands, Santo ISD --if you need to reach me feel free to email me at [email protected] Please put “Santo” in the subject line-- Attendance at all applicable events is mandatory—please make the necessary adjustments to free yourself up for these dates/times
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 23:46:48 +0000
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