Coachella Valley Honor Band

Band camp began two weeks before the school year started. The director mailed all the band members the music they were required to learn. However, I ignored the mail and didn’t bother touching my trumpet or learning the music. I dreaded going to band camp the entire summer, but the day finally arrived when I was forced to go. My parents dropped me off at Niwot, I walked into the school, and lethargically headed straight to the band

In elementary, I was known as the best player for my patience and understanding of every piece we played in orchestra. “Your daughter is my best student in all 4 schools that I teach,” exclaimed my orchestra teacher, Ms. Nichols, to my mother. Ever since then, I have been practicing my violin every minute of every day. At the end of my sixth grade year, I received a letter stating that I have been invited to audition for the East Valley Youth Symphony. The desire I had to audition felt like someone hitting me with a hammer.The tears of joy that fell from my parents’ faces were overwhelming, but I knew there was no reason to celebrate because it wouldn’t be easy to get into. At that instant, I had a panic attack and couldn’t stop until the next morning.

Drumming started to become a huge part of my life. Whether it is playing for my High School Marching Band, steel drum band, jazz band, concert band, church band, or just practicing with some friends. I joined Marching Band my freshman year. I was extremely nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to try out for one of the tenor drum spots. There were seven people trying to fill the two spots open. Our instructor gave us try out music to practice. I played the notes on that sheet until my fingers bled. We all played our best the day of the try out, but I got the spot along with a senior. I have played tenors all four years of marching band. I am currently the drumline section leader for

I came into my audition only auditioning for the ensemble, leaving the audition I ended up receiving the titular role of Pippin. There was also a dance audition, where we were asked to learn the choreography to All that Jazz from the musical Chicago, this was a challenging experience because I have had no professional dance training but I ended up doing very well and responding well to the choreographer and her teachings. This whole process helped me to develop my confidence and social skills. The auditions were the most like professional auditions I’ve ever attended, and therefore allowed me to better understand what the real musical theatre industry is like and give me a taste of what it would be like if I continued onto large productions. I was very lucky to receive the lead role, as I didn’t even audition for it, despite not seeing this at the time. There was a long break between auditions and the beginning of rehearsals, almost three weeks. This seemed like a very long period of time due to not being able to tell any of my fellow cast mates that I had received a

At the beginning of my senior year, I committed myself to additional volunteer works. These volunteer activities require leadership skills that I have learned previously. Some of these activities include:

The Evergreen Marching Band and Colorguard (EMBC) has stewed in accomplishment, success, and hard work, for more than two decades. People don’t know, that we 're not just a normal halftime marching band--we are a competitive marching band. Like any football, drill, or soccer team, EMBC strives to compete amongst the greats. For a couple decades, EMBC has marched to success and we don 't want to stop now; however, the competitive program was close to being slashed this year, due to lack of funds. Students and parents raged at the thought of no competitive season. Competing is the best part for everyone in this program. If we lost that it wouldn’t be as much fun. We were so far in debt that if we couldn 't raise enough money, it would 've been game over.

When I received the results of the audition, I saw that I did not get in. This result paper did not make me upset or make me want to throw in the towel, it only made me want to work harder. I started to practice flute more and more everyday, practicing different techniques so I could be ready for any challenge that is brought upon me.

Walking up and down the two rows of hornline and drumline members at our very first show whispering encouragements and fixing aussies, I watched the terror consume face as you and those around you were trying to focus on what was about to happen. After that 9 minute show bursting with chaos and confusion, I remember coming off the field with shaky knees and hearing all sorts of positive whispers and seeing your wide, excited eyes. At that moment, you gave me hope for this season.

I seemed to find my voice, and my teacher proposed the idea of me joining Circle of the State with Song. I gladly accepted the offer. It was considered the next level of proficiency in music at that age. Preparing for the exchange with other schools in a few months, one day there was auditions for the best of best to be in the Indiana All State Honor Choir. There were about twenty of us in Circle of the State with Song from Winamac. I thought I should audition for a spot because the worst they could tell me is that I did not make the cut. In the past, there have been little to nobody that had made all state, so it is quite an honor to be part of

I practiced. Finally, the end of my junior year season came. As soon as we stepped off the field from state finals awards I started talking about being 2016 field commander. I went home, watched our old shows and conducted them. Somewhere around the end of April, our band director gave my opponent and me the score and a recording of the music for the upcoming show. He told us that he wanted it memorized for the audition. I started practicing immediately. I spent my lunch break and my last 2 classes listening to the recording and reading through the score. One day in class our director tells us that our band will be marching in the Great American Brass Band Festival Parade. What would we do for that? We would play the upcoming seasons music. So, we should be having the auditions for field commander soon. I was excited, though I knew I didn’t have a high chance because my opponent was the “favorite” choice. How did I know she was the favorite? Because as I talked to a friend about the parade, their response was “I’m not sure about performing since (our previous field commander) isn’t sure if my opponent wanted to, I mean, or whoever gets the position..” So I practiced harder and longer than anything I had ever done. Because I wanted the position

Inland Empire's blues-rock band, Zentonic, release their sophomore album "Reset" and push musical and personal boundaries. The IE's trio, Daniel Chavez (lead vocals/guitar), Ruben Cordova (bass/vocals), and Kenny Lopez (drums), surpass expectations along the road to "Reset" with their innovative sound, and return to basic elements, passion, and core ideals. Despite always possessing the musical and mechanical talent, as heard on "Set The Tone (2014)," the diversity and craft taken on "Reset" focuses on a louder display of passion, which echos Zentonic's true voice, and evolution from album to album. Unmatched fusion of sounds, that range from blues, rock, and funk, has led them to break away in pure adornment, and ultimately defines them as

A complete and utter failure. If I couldn't even pass my jury, how was I supposed to be a good music teacher one day? How could I expect myself to guide any and all band students I would potentially have? I started panicking over so much. What would my colleagues think of me? I was probably a joke to them now. What would my parents think? Probably that paying for me to major in music was a waste of money. What would my professor think? Well, he already knew considering he was there and checked one of those stupid Jury Failed: Recommended additional semester of study

I so nervous that my feet were shaking, causing me to trip a few times while walking into the room. As I walked into the room, I saw Mr.Rothe sitting at his desk, writing something down on a piece of paper. When he saw me walking towards his desk he pulled out a piece of sheet music and placed it on the music stand next to me. After sitting down I took and deep breath before I started to play, and surprisingly I sounded better at school than I did at home. When I finished playing, I glanced at Mr. Rothe knowing that he was probably going to tell me that I am not selected.

On Saturday, October 1st, 2016, I attended a performance by The DVC Symphonic Band at the Performing Arts Center at Diablo Valley College. The symphony was composed of wind, brass, and percussions sections as well as a string bass and a piano. The musicians were all dressed in black with a blue haired clarinetist and a pink haired French horn player.

It is the first day of fourth grade and I must say that I am nervous. Not because it's a new school or because of my core classes. Today is the day that I join the Rockford elementary concert band. At the same time I'm excited though. I had played the piano for a few years now and I did enjoy it, but the possibility of playing something different was intriguing to say the least. As the hours went by the hours the end of the day finally came. It was time for my first day of band.