Cannonball Adderly's Work Song Analysis

Living in a world surrounded by noises and sounds, one cannot deny that music lives all around them. Schools, street corners, sporting events, there is one thing you will always find: music. Music education is quickly becoming defunct in schools, as many try to decry its many benefits. A growing emphasis on the concrete subjects of math and science, whose benefits are more immediate, are pushing the creativity and imagination of music classes to the back of the budget. Music education is no longer described as stimulating and exciting, but rather unnecessary and distracting. But the benefits of having an education in music is undeniable. Simply being around music can have a positive impact on life. Music enables the human race to discover emotions that they have never uncovered before. The human mind is refreshed by music; “our imagination and memories are stimulated by the sounds, and summon feelings and memories associated with the musical sound” (Wingell 15). Without music, the world would be silent. Lifeless. No matter what language one speaks or what culture one is from, music is a universal language, connecting the hearts of people around the entire world. In schools throughout the nation, that connection is being severed because of budget cuts and lack of funding, but the benefits of music education are clear. The benefits of having an education in music are not only present in the classroom; a lasting impact is also left on the social and emotional growth of a person, though the gains may not be evinced immediately. Participating in musical education programs in schools can give students the opportunity to form lasting friendships and to gain skills that will last them their entire lives. Music education can be beneficial to students because it enhances students’ performance in the classroom, aids in improving student’s interest and engagement in school, and advances students’ social and emotional growth.

My life would be incomplete without performing music. I’ve spent time, in concert bands, in bell choirs, in school and church choirs, and singing, playing in music festivals, and in pit bands trying not to laugh my head off at the actors’ improvisations. But the art that truly speaks to my soul does not lie in creating music, it lies in dancing to it.

Imagine a third grader, small and blonde, standing on a stage that practically swallows her. She gazes in awe at the bright lights that seem to tower miles above her head; likewise, she follows with a stare, fixating on the hundreds of darkened faces that remain directly in front of her. Unlike her classmates who fidget with nerves beside her, she feels a rush of adrenaline. What may have seemed to some an ordinary choir concert in a dull auditorium, was, to me, a life changing moment. Ever since this day, for 9 years now, I have had an unwavering passion for music and performing. As I aged, I found myself excitedly learning how to play 7 new instruments, but even considering the vast number of bands, orchestras, choirs, and instrumental lessons that I joined, I noticed myself

I am a dedicated and conscientious student in class, and a key member in many extra-curricular activities. As a keen musician, playing violin, trombone and piano, I contribute to a number of musical ensembles in school and played an integral part in the organisation of our school’s summer concert. I am also a member of several local youth orchestras and bands, with whom I have toured abroad many times, most recently to Italy, France and Belgium.

George Helmholtz, as the head of the music department at Lincoln High School, is very determined with his regular students and the gifted musicians of the band. Each semester and year at school he dreams of “leading as fine a band as there was on

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

During my whole life I have been surrounded by music. Whether it be at a musical at the Civic Center, going to one of my brother’s high school band concerts, or just listening to music on my own time for fun, it has been a major driving force in my life. I have also, as previously mentioned, acquired many awards during my playing. I have gone to SCIBA honor band three years in a row as of my freshmen year, gone to the 8th Grade All Iowa honor band, the equivalent of All State in high school, and have gotten Best of Center awards from my playing

“In the Marching Band and Proud of It” by Debra Nussbaum followed the story of the marching band from Pennsbury High School in Philadelphia. In the second paragraph, Nussbaum claimed that band can be “cool”. Marching bands travel across the US, are becoming increasingly competitive, and perform more interesting shows. The Pennsbury marching band has a respected reputation in the school because they gain national recognition and have a certain prestige within the school. The prevalence of band is growing as the number of band directors and sales of sheet music grows. The author states that the prevalence of band is growing, too. Many students are involved in multiple activities while also participating in marching band. The music the band

On April 11th, 2017 in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, I attended the GVSU “University Band”. This up-beat ensemble lasted about 90 minutes; the talented students of GVSU’s university band joined together to perform multiple different songs ranging from a Waltz to a Dixieland Jamboree. All of the songs that the band played for the audience were all well-known, popular songs that they all enjoyed. Having the opportunity to attend this concert has opened new musical paths for myself and has allowed me to enjoy and kindly critique something that I perhaps would have never had the chance to otherwise.

We are all musicians. Even the tone deaf girl who goes up to sing every time there’s Karaoke or the boy whose time with an instrument has been limited to Guitar Hero, we are all composers of a unique melody. Our lives are like songs—the crescendos and diminuendos of emotion, the staccatos of impatience and the legatos of love, the fortissimos of personal dramas and the mezzo pianos of average American life. If there is one lesson I would like to teach my prospective peers at Villanova, it would be to listen to every intricacy of the songs of others, and not just judge them by the overall tune.

Whether I play the jazz, classical, or the melodious ruckus of the marching band, the alto saxophone is how I reimbursed myself of my stress and anxiety with an indescribable feeling nobody but a musician can understand. This feeling is comprised of two parts: the playing and the team. While the playing produces a euphony that leaves you anticipating every breath you huff into your horn and dances out the bell, the team is my favorite part. Never have I anticipated or desired to be first chair, because I had always known that the second chair is the best. Despite the first chair getting all the glory, without the warm, complementary tones of the second part, the first, and even the band, could never achieve the beautiful potential it has. Together,

The band was invited to perform on stage for an hour at the Midwest Clinic in front of an enormous audience. Truthfully, I hardly recall that portion of the trip. Even more truthfully, I, along with the rest of the band, was looking forward to that aspect of our vacation least of all. We had already played those pieces more times than any of us could possibly count, not that any of us would want to attempt to. Once the Pride’s season was over, we immediately began showing up for mandatory 7:00 rehearsals every morning, as well as after-school practices that often ended quite late at night. An hour is longer than ten minutes, but the experiences are parallel in nature. I will surely always remember going to the Clinic and being able to perform in such a professional setting.

As a child I frequently made up little songs, and there seemed to be a constant stream of music in my head. I could see myself in the children she was observing and like them I didn’t have a framework for my experience – it was just my life. Whether it was singing while playing, tapping out some rhythm, singing at the top of my lungs to a favorite song, or goosebumps from hearing “Hall of the Mountain King”, it all felt familiar and warming. It has also made me aware of the musicking I continue to make every day in small ways here and

In the future, I hope I can have as much an impact on the next generation of misfit youths as my band director had on me, and will consider my life a success if I can teach my students as much about compassion and acceptance as I can tetrachords and “two-five-one” progressions. The key to this goal is earning a degree in music education from an institution as well regarded as Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. I believe the leadership skills I have developed as a three-year section leader in my high school marching band, as well as my belief in the importance service and kindness qualify my admission into Rutgers, and I am confident that the university’s superior music education program will empower me to pursue my dream of helping others rise against their adversity through the art of

Sebastian woke with a great startle to his blaring alarm clock. he’d been up until four this morning and it was now 6:30, he had been working on some new songs and was not prepared for school this morning. He saw no point in going to school most days, he only enjoyed his arts classes. He enjoyed things like sculpting, painting and playing the upright bass in his high school band, he loved music and it was his biggest passion. Some would say he might even sell his soul to be the best musician there was. He played many different instruments and music came naturally to him, he truly loved percussion most of all. He was a member of a band, they commonly did rock music for most of their performances but had a wide array of jazz music and much else as well. He made his way through the school day just as he normally did, only getting through his academic classes by knowing that after lunch all of his classes were something he would enjoy. he was also looking forward to his band’s show tonight.