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Book Review: American Band |
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Written by Chad Criswell
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 American Band By Kristen Laine
In American Band ,
Kristen Laine paints a picture that chronicles the experiences of the
2003 Indiana State Marching Band Champion Concord Band. Laine's
storytelling and insight is very dignified, weaving the real life
issues of teenage band members with the real life aspirations of an
accomplished and respected band director. For band directors, the book
chronicles the sequence of events of the Concord band as it attempts to
return to the glory of the previous year's success. The descriptive
narrative provided by Laine opens up dozens of avenues for a band
director to consider. Not only does she provide a glimpse into what it
takes to drive a group of teenagers to musical greatness, but she also
inadvertently leaves an introspective reader with a myriad of questions
centered around the divisive aspect of the demands of excessive
competition in the marching activity.
From this band directing
perspective, the book provides countless examples of how a high
quality, powerful musical organization can function. Portions of the
book detail the Concord band's student leadership, music selection,
faculty organization, and other highly informative snapshots that
provide a look deep inside a championship level organization. In one
chapter we learn of Mr. Jones' collegiate relationship with the
esteemed Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser of Ball State University, and the
importance that both place on developing the leadership potential of
band students. In another chapter we hear a retelling of an ages old
problem that many young directors find themselves in, entering a new
directorship on the heels of an almost Godlike predecessor. Laine does
an excellent job of describing this transition and uses inspiring words
to show how dedication and confidence in his abilities helped Max Jones
to move through those years of turmoil to build the organization he had
envisioned and to convert the community as a whole toward accepting his
style of leadership and quest for excellence.
At its heart,
American Band examines the people that make up the story rather than
simply the story itself. Laine does an excellent job of presenting the
emotional and psychological baggage that teenagers carry despite the
demands of being in such an organization. Leadership roles, dissenting
views, depression, victory, and loss are all examined in the lives of
Concord's students. Throughout the book, Laine describes how important
faith is to surviving even the deepest uncertainty. American Band is
an excellent presentation of a story repeated in some manner in schools
all over the country. Thoughtful readers and band directors will be
able to take away much from reading it and in turn use the ideas it
presents to reshape and revitalize our passion and outlook on music
education.
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