Big Drum Thingy- Victoria Chamberlain

     A lot of band kids from our school can agree that Mr. Alsup is one of the best teachers they have ever had. He's the reason we know how to play instruments, perform, and get to go on trips. He's taught me a lot and not just band things. Mr. Alsup has taught me through his stories he tells in class, life lessons in our conversations, and a lot of respect and responsibility.

     The first time I even considered being in band was after the high school band came over to the elementary and played for us when I was in 6th grade.  I saw this huge drum, the bass drum, and explained that I wanted to play "the big drum thingy." I thought that thing was super cool. I told this to Mr. Alsup later that day and he kind of laughed at me, but explained what "the big drum thingy" was. Later that year we had to choose our classes we wanted to take in 7th grade and I chose band.
    When I first started band, I was super shy. I used to "scurry" down the hallways as Mr. Alsup would say, and I would play as quietly as possible. I wouldn't really talk in class and I'd get super embarrassed if I said anything wrong. Mr. Alsup would bribe me with different things to get me to play louder such as sodas, apples, or anything he happened to have in his office. He one day offered me $5 to play louder, and I played louder. I refused to take his money though, because I knew I should've been playing that loud in the first place.
     Something Mr. Alsup does that I look up to is how nice he is to everyone. He points out the good in things and other people. If we do really well at a concert, assessment, or even just in rehearsal he'll let us know that we did good. I mean, he's not scared of telling us that we suck when we do, but that's just a part of being a band teacher.
      Mr. Alsup has taught me all about music, history, western movies, and life. He has gotten me out of my shell, and I have gone from being one of the super quiet kids to someone who isn't afraid to say the dumbest stuff in class. Mr. Alsup is one of my favorite people and has taught me so much. A whole book couldn't even explain how much I look up to him.