Houston Band Foundation Scholarship Award

            Adam Williams is the recipient of the inaugural Houston Band Foundation Scholarship.  Adam is a two-time All State performer on trombone who also served as a first chair player in both the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band at Houston High School.   This summer he will be serving as a student volunteer at the International Trombone Festival in California and this fall he will attend the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Music Education and Trombone Performance.  His accomplishments on the instrument are profound but his net worth to the program was much more than that. 

            Adam was a hard worker.  At no point do I remember the “eye rolling” seizure so many undergo when asked to move chairs or clean up a mess.  Adam was always happy to do what was asked.  He served as Trombone section leader so his ability to deal with criminal behavior and people with less than genius level abilities is a given.  Adam Williams also worked hard to make himself a better player and band member.  He attributes much of his improvement to an assortment of teachers, mentors and family members.  I would tell you that such improvement is 90% self generated through stubbornness and hard work.  Let me cite an example. 

When Adam was in 7^th grade, he did not make an All West ensemble.  No shame in that, as most do not.  In his 8^th grade year, he was first chair in the 3^rd (Gold) band.  This is notable for 2 reasons:  He was one of only 2 kids from Houston Middle to make All West as a brass player that year.  He was also the 5^th best trombone player in his grade that year (#5 among all 8^th grade trombonists in West Tennessee).  From there, his progression up the ladder would allow him to become a 2 time All State player and the best trombone player in West Tennessee his last 2 years.  While the net result for Adam was positive in every respect, the resulting impact on the program at Houston cannot be understated.  His talent and abilities served as a wonderful example of how to improve and that improvement allowed the band to do things and go places it could not have without him.

            So celebrate the example Adam sets.  Work hard.  Don’t quit.  Give back more than you get.  Don’t grab attention for yourself but direct attention to those around you.  Step up – even if doing so is not high on your list of “comfortable things”.  I would hope there are many willing to step up and be the next Adam Williams.