Starred Thoughts

We will never forget the impact George Parks had on the UMMB. His legacy will continue to impact and change our lives forever. Starred thoughts are life lessons and words of advice from Mr. Parks. They are well-known for being quoted throughout band, as well as at the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy, currently conducted by Heidi Sarver.

Star Band is for everyone.
Star Being in the band is the greatest thing you could ever do and don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Star Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.
Star A band is not proud because it performs well; it performs well because it is proud.
Star If you fail to plan, plan to fail.
Star There are no problems; there are merely opportunities for creative thinking.
Star If you act the part long enough, it becomes reality.
Star The more difficult the conditions; the more you have to seem to like what you’re doing.
Star The key in life is participation!
Star A good teacher is a creative one; one who finds different ways for the same thing.
Star Practice makes permanent. Only perfect practice makes perfect.
Star You never get a second chance at a first impression.
Star If you can get people to laugh, you can get them to do anything.
Star Positive thinking yields positive results (and vice-versa).
Star Bad habits are easy to make, but hard to live with. Good habits are hard to make but easy to live with.
Star The only good disciplined group is disciplined from within.
Star Being a leader is being inconvenienced.
Star You get back what you give out.
Star You will move in the direction you are thinking.
Star The power of the band is YOU. But how many people know that all too often the power of you is the BAND!
Star Doing WHAT needs to be done, WHEN it needs to be done, whether it NEEDS to be done or not.
Star If you’re going to make a mistake, make it a big one.
Star If you’re the only one right, you’re wrong.
Star Treat your people well and put your heart into it, and it’s amazing where you’ll go.
Star Anyone can make a mistake.
Star There are three stages of band (life): 1) You believe in Santa Claus 2) You don’t believe in Santa Claus 3) You BECOME Santa Claus!
Star Watch performance, expect excellence - if you don’t get it - fix it!
Star Band is a place for everyone.
Star If you’re not having fun, fake it.
Star Make sure your traditions are sound.
Star Take music and your studies seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.
Star Adopt, adapt, and improve.
Star The essential condition of everything you do must be choice, love, and passion.
Star In order to be responsible, you have to respond. You have to respond with enthusiasm, excitement, energy, excellence, and intensity.
Star Remember how it felt as a rookie here. Help the new rookies feel welcome & give them the best experience of their life & let them know it’s their own doing!
Star You learn about 4 times faster in an atmosphere of joy & relaxation.
Star It’s never too late to make the right decision.
Star Don’t let the grudges of your past become the regrets of your future.
Star No more negative moments.