On Aug. 4, Bruce Mansfield had his first day of work as BVH’s temporary band director. Due to the Band Director prior to Mansfield, Mark McCann, leaving the position and pursuing a job at Westview High, there was a vacancy that needed to be filled for about two to three weeks. One main reason why Mansfield decided to step up was because he is a band parent, wanting what is best for the kids in band this year. His daughter, Color Guard Lieutenant Laurie Mansfield, expressed how the process was from her perspective.
“The process was a little crazy. [Mansfield] actually helped the past band director figure out how the transition would work and he [ended up taking] over and is learning the ropes from the band kids themselves. I was nervous and I was expecting it to be a little hectic in our family, but [also] fun at the same time,” L. Mansfield said.
Mr. Mansfield is a college professor teaching band at Point Loma Nazarene, showing that band life is not new to him. However, every school community is unique, meaning that he had a lot to learn from the students themselves. As a member of the family, L. Mansfield felt both excited and nervous about the experience. This change in leadership has not just affected the Mansfield family, but band as a whole. Head Conducting Drum Major Ruben Avila shared how Mansfield has been a perfect fit for Club Blue.
“The structure has not changed too much, but there has been a stronger focus on student leadership. Mansfield gives us the space to step up and lead while he provides support in the background. It feels more collaborative overall. [He] brings a sense of guidance that is unique to him. He stands out because he not only cares about the band’s success but is also about the well-being of every student. That personal investment makes a big difference, especially [in] a program that’s built by the overall community,” Avila said.
Avila expressed a sense of feeling at ease at the news that Mr. Mansfield would be taking over, as he is a figure many in Club Blue are already familiar with. This familiarity made the atmosphere less intimidating, and allowed for Mr. Mansfield to be able to work closely with students. The amount of care he holds for Club Blue shows through his actions, as well as his taking their feelings into consideration.
“The change was hard for the students because they absolutely adored their previous director. There is a lot of loyalty there, but so did I. [McCann] was one of my wife’s students when she was a middle school teacher, so we go way back. I have known McCann since he was 12, and this is a great opportunity for him, even though he had a lot of loyalty here, I promised him the students would be okay and it would be a good year. So, my biggest concern for the students [was] that they got to continue to have a great time,” Mr. Mansfield said.
Due to Mr. Mansfield’s friendship with McCann, he was able to relate to the attachment students have for him, although in a different way. Having the ability to successfully and efficiently take over as band director is one thing, but being able to understand and connect with students during a tricky transition period is another. Mr. Mansfield was able to accomplish both, as Avila noted exactly how he was able to help Club Blue during his time as band director.
“[Mansfield] helps students by being there when we need guidance, whether it is with music or personal concerns. He gives very clear advice but also encourages us to solve problems on our own. I feel [like] the balance really helps us grow. The shift was smoother than I expected. I think that is because Mansfield and the student leadership already knew how the program worked and understood the students and that familiarity made the change easier to adjust to,” Avila said.
Through a hands on approach and prior knowledge of the way Club Blue functions, Mr. Mansfield was able to make the transition as smooth as possible. The choice to take on this job is one that holds great weight, as Mr. Mansfield was also working his full time job at the same time, averaging four or five hours of sleep everyday due to the amount of work he took on. Although his time at BVH as Band Director was short, it was greatly appreciated and his efforts should be celebrated.
“On behalf of Club Blue, I want to thank [Mr. Mansfield] for stepping up and supporting us during such a big change. His leadership and care means so much to us, and we appreciate everything he has done to keep the program strong,” Avila said.
