| Greg- I hear ya. Not dead yet, though. He was stomping toes just when I was "aging out"!
Discipline does come from within. But a situation like that (being in Spirit, Cadets, Blue Devils, Cavaliers, Santa Clara or Phantom or any top 12 corps) does bring it out of you. I would venture to say that being in any top-rate arts organization be it a youth symphony, youth jazz ensemble or youth wind symphony would do the same. But thinking about the kids that get into those organizations, they are the ones who already know how to harness it to some extent. They wouldn't have made it there if they didn't.
Critical, even more than the discipline factor, is what he mentioned about parent involvement. That enables kids. It gives them the sense that what they are doing is important and valued, so they will pursue it. The kids who are the best ball players have parents who are constantly playing ball with them, taking them here to there for games and practices. Music is no different, really. Play with and for your kids; get them to and from their lessons. Go to their concerts. Take them out for ice cream after they play for solo festival. Let them know by showing them that what they do is important; that you understand and appreciate it.
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-Glenn
"Roses have thorns; shining waters mud. Clouds and eclipses stain the moon and the sun; and history reeks of the wrongs we have done. After today, after today, consider me gone."- Sting |