Diversity In The Band Program

As faculty in the School of Performing Arts, we rely heavily on are own artistic experiences to add depth, knowledge and meaning to the educational environment we create for our students. Diversity almost informs every aspect of what we do as artists, and teachers.

Summer before junior year of high school, I was looking at a lot of standardized tests, essays, a heavier school workload, college applications, and getting a driver's license; my most immediate concern, however, was the soon to begin marching band season. Spring semester of sophomore year I had decided to audition for a leadership position in the band, and I suppose I was the best candidate because I managed to snag Section Leader for my instrument, clarinet. As the final days of July passed by, I anticipated the start of a season where I would be mentoring and teaching my fellow clarinet players the complex art of marching band. A few days before leadership camp I received a letter in the mail from the Head Band Director, Mr. Larry Brown, and immediately I knew things were not going to be what I expected.

The band program means a lot to me because it has helped me become more outgoing and friendly to people. It has also helped me gain much more of an interest towards all things music. When I was a kid I always wanted to be a teacher, but I never knew what I wanted to teach. When I joined band and attended different music classes, I became interested in something that meant little to me at the time. During my time in band it became much more clear to me that I wanted to pursue music education. The band program means a lot to me because it made me who I am today and I hope to help someone find themselves through music like I

I help out a lot with our band program and make sure everything is running as smoothly as it can be in that moment. I have people come and ask me for help on music, conducting, and how to set up sectionals pretty frequently. I set up the band room every morning and take attendance and people know that they need to come to me with issues pertaining to that. I also am a librarian for both bands and have helped people, on more than one occasion, get music that they lost or left at home. I am grateful that I have been given the chance to hold these positions because they have given me more confidence and responsibility in our band

All of this contributed to me joining the marching band, beginning in eighth grade, which has taken over my life now, in the best way possible and given me a defined place. It’s nice to be a part of something like

This is Faith Cox and welcome to my section leader essay. As you may know, I am now a junior in the Lewisburg band program and maintain the position of second chair in the French horn section. Last year I applied as a sophomore, and I can confidently say I have not only gathered more experience over the past year, but I have also become even more passionate about band. That passion has led me to once again apply for section leader. However, this time I am much more matured as a musician, and I am eager to see my section succeed as they have in the past and help them in any way they may need.

During this past school year I have contributed my time, effort and dedication into all of the rehearsals, practices, performances and every other thing I have done in this program. Hard work is another thing I have contributed to this band, not only through playing and memorizing music, but also by loading and unloading props, staying after school to set up for concerts, and by vacuuming and other cleaning tasks that are needed around the band room.

Although I've received many musical accolades, the skills and relationships I've formed while being in band are

I have always looked to spend more time in music, so even with the challenges of marching band I have been the lead bassist for my school’s top jazz band all four years of my journey. Even with the time I spend in marching, I spend at least four hours a week creating music with my peers. In this I’ve not only been able to prove to myself that I can play, but I’ve also learned how to synergize with my fellow musicians to make something beautiful. I’ve been able to transfer this to my life outside of band through group projects and community service projects.

High school has never been the worst years of my life. It has been difficult, but I had never felt like it was truly wonderful or meaningful until this year. This past summer, I joined the marching band, and since then my life has changed drastically. Marching band has increased the quality of my high school life, given me the opportunity to impact others, and taught me more about myself than I knew before. Being in marching band, I have made an abundant amount of friendships that never before have I experienced.

A love of marching band acts as fuel for the commitment the members put into it. The activity has rapidly grown into an important event I look forward to in the fall and whenever there is an upcoming event. Likewise, the band room has created a home. Marching season brings out excitement and determination in me in wanting to put on the best show we can. Moreover, band has inspired me to become my better self through physical, mental, and emotional challenge. It has helped boost my confidence as well. Overall, I have definitely grown as a person because of marching band. I would love to have a role within the student leaders of a sport and art that has

I am part of the Godinez Black and Gold Marching band, and I have the official position of Wood Wind Captain. I lead the wood wind which consists of Clarinets, Flutes, Saxophones, and other instruments as well. I think through this experience it has helped me with my communicating and listening skills, I am now more aware of what people are capable and not capable of doing. During any school event in which we are a part of I make sure we act appropriately and show that our school is fun and mature.

One of the most influential leadership roles that I have had the honor of holding is being the drum majorette for my high school and junior high marching band. Included in this role, I not only conducted the band, but I energetically gave constructive criticism, provided encouragement, and listened to my fellow band members’ opinions. Relating to John Quincy Adams’ quote, I implemented goals regarding to success for individual band members and the band as a whole, essentially supporting my members to “dream more” and to see the bigger picture. Junior high members who joined our band this marching season were granted the opportunity to attend a pre-session with our band director and I before the start of band camp. During this session, the band director and I taught them marching fundamentals and presented them with tips relating to memorizing music and how to sufficiently mark their maneuvers in their music. This session allowed the junior high members to catch up with the older members and ,substantially, “learn more”.

It is essential that we all help each other through every band camp and last minute rehearsal no matter what. The realization that no matter how well I performed on the field did not matter to the judges unless the rest of the band also performed just as well was very hard-hitting. To be successful we must help each other. My perspective and relationship with my bandmates grew substantially because of this, I no longer want to to be on my own, I no longer want an itty-bitty group of friends, I want to be apart of something big and I want to be apart of something

My senior year of high school, my high brass director left on an extremely short notice, leaving our band one director short for the whole marching season. I cannot begin to describe the trials that we encountered as a band, specifically the high brass family. Not having our “band dad” with us took an excruciating toll that set the high brass back and ultimately the whole band. As a senior, it was my job to step up and facilitate my section since we did not have anyone else to guide us. I did my absolute best to accommodate the younger members with ideal practices to improve their marching skills and playing techniques. During this challenging time, I attempted to take on the persona of a band director to motivate my section to work hard every