It was the shoes.  All of those white marching band shoes, 510 of them, tapping the beat on the black wood floor.  510 feet representing  255 people, all working together for a common goal.  I stared at the shoes thinking about how these 255 humans, all individually responsible for doing their job well, all worked together to create beautiful harmony.  255 completely different human beings coming from different backgrounds, cultures, and even something as simple as representing 70 different majors, coming together to do something that was not about them individually, but something that was about the whole.  And then I thought about Congress. Imagine what they could learn from the Cornhusker Marching Band.

It’s an odd premise, I agree, and just goes to show you where my brain can go sometimes, but this college marching band, among others, is the living example of how large groups of people can not only work together, but thrive, all for the betterment of not only themselves but others.  Let’s think about this.  Just like there is change of personnel  in Congress, there is yearly change in the band.  Each year begins anew with some veterans and some newbies, some having been voted out for not doing their job as well and new members working hard to be a part of something special, all having to get to know each other and how they can work together.

Although dressed alike, these individuals are not robots by any means.  Their personalities come through in the instruments they play, even within the same section.  I was struck by how different people were within the percussion battery, the snares all military and serious, the tenors nonchalantly doing their jobs, the bass drums getting down on that steady beat and the cymbals showing off in their best extroverted style.  And yet again, much like a great marriage, they played the different parts together as one.  How can you not love that?

They come from different places, not only within the state but from around the country, having learned different styles, having different strengths, playing different instruments.    It would be easy I’m sure for those differences to tear the group apart, but what comes into play is great leadership with great vision.  A bit of the traditional mixed with innovation, thoughtfully brainstormed in a proactive way, not waiting to see who might be a part of the community but anticipating who will be a part of the community.  It’s setting up expectations for behavior, for work ethic, for obligations, not in an abstract way, but in a very concrete way, stated clearly and carried out by the leaders who model that behavior and those expectations.  These things are necessary in order for a large group of different people to function effectively.

This group realizes that while what they do is fun, it is work and it has purpose – and the purpose is not all about them.  Oh sure, they get some residual recognition and perks, but the focus is on who they serve, and in this band’s case it’s the football team.  For better or worse, this group of people works tirelessly for hours, days and months to perfect their craft and skills to make others feel supported and look good.  They do what they do to build up others, not tear them or each other down.  When someone fumbles, they get right back up, encouraged by others who at some time have also fumbled. Because in working hard together on a common goal, relationships are built – life-long relationships.  Relationships that mean kindness and decorum because these people they work with MATTER.  It’s difficult to call someone names or accuse someone of something heinous if you KNOW them as a person first and a member of the group second.

This kind of drive and work ethic, being personally responsible for what you’re expected to do, and living all the highs and lows together builds a camaraderie that can’ be beat.  It allows groups to play in beautiful harmony, harmony being defined here as many voices coming together.  They’re not all playing the same note or the same rhythms at the same time, but there is a weaving of the two within the group at just the right time that makes a beautiful sound, creating a singular piece of music.  All of these layers working together, watching that solid leadership, never losing focus, always listening and learning.

When you have a group that is this focused, there can be a variety of genres performed together.  From rock to jazz, from patriotic marches to classical masterpieces, a group that works together with great leadership can switch effortlessly from one task to another, following an organized timeline because they have a job to do.  It’s called teamwork and that’s what our Congress has forgotten how to do.  My simple question is, if this kind of collaboration, cooperation, striving for excellence and service to others can be done by college students, what is wrong with the so-called adults we have in office?  Perhaps it’s time for former band members to begin running for office because they know the kind of work it’s going to take to be successful.

As the music moved me into multiple emotions,  I watched others smile, cheer and clap with the music, and I wondered if this group of young people really understood their power in the world, the power to affect the lives and emotions of others through something bigger than they are as individuals?  Perhaps Congress should be put through the same paces as the Cornhusker Marching Band to readjust their priorities and learn to do the same for the people they represent.