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Not appreciated

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:19 pm
by Yellow Flute-tee
I know this sounds pathetic, and especially as my first post (sob), but tonight was our senior/awards night. And throughout the season, I've been working my tail off, literally. I have a C in about half my classes right now because I've been spending my time in the band room, helping freshman, cleaning up the room, and filing papers for my director. I've been to all of the rehearsals, all the sectionals, with all my materials, ready to work when even some section leaders weren't prepared. When testing with music or drill, I was correct and passed each test.

But it was our awards night tonight, and they distributed an award to one outstanding student in each class. I was expected some kind of recognition, or at least a word of praise from my favorite senior section leader. But she went ahead and gave the award to some random girl who I've rarely seen at rehearsals.

It's been over for a while, but I still like breaking down and punching a wall or something. It's frustrating, not getting any appreciation when you deserve it.

Help me out? :(

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:21 pm
by formermarcher
Just after a quick glance at this post, I need to ask you one question:

Are you doing all these things for the right reasons? Are you doing it because you want to, or because you want recognition?

Now I think I know where you are going to go with an answer to this, but I'll wait until you actually go there.

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:29 pm
by Yellow Flute-tee
This post looks like some lowly leadership position person looking for some attention and recognition, and I'm afraid I'm sinking to that level.

But when it comes to doing it for the right reasons, I know that I am. I love band like crazy, but while I do enjoy doing this for the band and making the process a lot smoother for my director, it's hard when even he doesn't know what I'm doing.

Didn't realize how stupid what I'm writing looks like until I read back. I guess the only thing going on right now is slight (o_o) bitterness for my senior section leader for leaving without saying a single word to me.

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:38 pm
by formermarcher
Here's what...instead of being self-degrading or having people repeat the same things, why don't you send me an IM via AIM and we can chat about this in real time. My SN can be found right underneath my posts.

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:05 pm
by AzhlackDMPiccolo
the point of beeing in a band is to make the band better.. it's not a selfish thing where u NEED recognition. that's a bad thing.. ur doing it for yourselfa nd tha tis not good... it's frustrating.. but if u do it for the band you woudlnt really care.. trust me... it's better doing it for teh gbnad.. i've been through it... selfishness gets you no where and it doesnt make band fun for you... if u let it go u'll have fun and enjoy the time. just know that u did it.. and the band will be better... people know it in their hearts.. thye dont need to recognize u

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:29 pm
by VM Trumpet
If you have attended any of the CLA Leadership Academy workshops (if you haven't, it's a must for all those truly interested in leadership), then you would recognize this quote by Mr. Kuhns:

"Done correctly, peer leadership is the scummiest job on the planet."

Nobody said at the beginning that you would be rewarded for your efforts. Would it be nice if you did? Yes, but don't do it with that as your goal. Leadership is a scummy job. Do janitors ever get recognized for picking up the trash?

Chew on it.

-VM Trumpet

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:33 pm
by Ryan H. Turner
Not EXPECTING recognition makes the work you do that much sweeter. Welcome to life.

Want to not sound 'whiny', than stop worrying about this, and keep doing what you're doing because, as you say, you love band.

End of story.

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 3:13 pm
by Trumpet Man 05
Also, remember Dave's story from CLA about "Tim", the freshman who didn't think he was good enough to stay in band.

I always loved that little story, but maybe that's because my name is Tim, so it always meant a little more to me when I put myself in the situation. :)

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 11:57 pm
by cup_o_noodles007
i agree with... well everyone.

the sweetest limelight is created by yourself. not others.

and even aside from that, everyone knows you did a great job. that kinda stuff is actually more obvious than not in this activity from a leadership/staff standpoint. so who cares if someone physically says it or not.

by the way, did anyone else catch that contradiction in my 2nd line? sweetest limelight... i just noticed that.

okay, the limeyest limelight... (im probably spelling it wrong anyways.)

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:33 pm
by piccmee
Last year I did many of the things you decribed and I also go no recongnigtion for it, in fact I got harassed. I stepped back and looked at the band, and they were better off for what I did and that was all I needed. Yeah, it is not fun not getting reconginzed for all the work you pour into the band, but sometimes it happens. There is some really great advise on this thread!

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:00 pm
by Jsaxm
Ryan H. Turner wrote:Not EXPECTING recognition makes the work you do that much sweeter. Welcome to life.

Want to not sound 'whiny', than stop worrying about this, and keep doing what you're doing because, as you say, you love band.

End of story.
I can't agree more Ryan. There will be many times in life that you bust your butt and pour your whole heart into something and no one will even think twice about thanking you or recognizing you for what you did. You just have to realize that getting some plaque or certificate to hang on the wall is not the real reward. Knowing that you made a difference in the group, an individual, or whatever you were working on is the true reward. When the time is right you will receive all the recognition you truely earned. It may not be for many years, and it may even be after you get out of band, but one day you will get your rewards.

Keep your head up and steer a straight course.

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:34 pm
by ChIckInPIt
mmmm being appreciated for what you do......I was once like that. Wishing that for even once I'd be recognized for being the first in the room and last to check everything out. The truth is, some people can do a lot of work, stay in focus 24/7 and not be appreciated. I guess u just have to accept the fact that, u have to be content with what u do, u have to expect that ur doing something for the whole cause and yea it sucks that u might never be recognized for it, but u just have to accept it. Keep doing what ur doing and just be content with what you do, that's all u can really ask for and receive.

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:34 pm
by demosthenes
u know this may sound really cliche but true

recognintion will come when you earn it. maybe you THINK you have been doing all this stuff but in reality, ur doing average. think about it.

Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:10 pm
by Ex Nihilo
demosthenes wrote:u know this may sound really cliche but true

recognintion will come when you earn it. maybe you THINK you have been doing all this stuff but in reality, ur doing average. think about it.
true... albeit a year late...

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:53 pm
by tubatitan88
When you work really hard for any organization you might feel that you deserve some short of recognition, and if you work was really fruitful, then the recognition is there, you're just not looking for it. For example, a section leader might work their tail off training their section to play a certain piece very well, but never really get a thank you or good job. Then when performance time comes and the section plays very well, and you get a good score thats all the recognition you could want.