Max Cordell: Excellence Personified

There are some teachers in your life that you never forget: Max Cordell was that teacher for me. He was my Band Director from 5th grade through 12th grade, and I owe much of my success in life and work to him.  Lessons like these:

Excellence, excellence, excellence. You practice the music until you can play it in your sleep. You want to have such strong skills that you can sight read anything that’s put in front of you. You practice a marching routine over and over until it’s etched in your brain and you can’t forget it.

Hard work and discipline pay off, and talent doesn’t mean anything if you don’t apply yourself. Sure it’s great to be talented, but in the music world (like in life), practice makes perfect. Every day. Even when you don’t feel like it. Even when you’re tired. And come performance time, you give it 100% no matter what.

The value of teamwork. In marching band as well as symphonic band, everyone has to play their part well for the performance to shine. Pay attention and listen to what others are doing and respond accordingly – help those that might be struggling. 

Victory is sweet. Our private school band was small but mighty – taking home first place in our size group at almost every marching competition we entered. Superior is the highest grade a concert band can receive, and we always scored Superiors every spring at the state level.

Max has been teaching at the same school for 47 years, and we’re throwing him a celebration at the end of this school year; it’s a joy to be part of honoring such a mighty hero in our community. If there’s a teacher that touched you, write them a note or call them to say Thanks. They deserve it!