Douglas Yeo Pros And Cons

Orchestra has always been one of my favorite classes to go to during the day. After choosing to play the cello in middle school, I continued playing the instrument in high school. It was in this class that I had made most of my closest friends, many of whom I still love to this day. I also loved how the rich deep tones that came from playing each note of the cello and how they were able to blend with the rest of the orchestra. I knew from my freshmen year that I wanted to get into the top class, Chamber Orchestra. I thought that I would have done everything in my power to get into the class, however when the time came I could not even bring myself to audition.

Like almost every other 3rd grader in my elementary school, when the enrichment program came to talk about joining the orchestra and band, I was fascinated. I admired the kids, not much older than me, who could play their instruments flawlessly and effortlessly. Immediately I knew that orchestra was for me, and I rushed home with a paper in hand begging my mom to let me take lessons at my school. Originally, I wanted to play the cello and pleaded with my mom to let me play one; I loved the deep, rich sounds of the strings. Instead, my mom convinced me to play the violin, a less expensive instrument and much easier to carry around than a cello.

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

Many years and musicals later, as a junior heavily involved with the musical program, my director came to me with an exciting proposition. She’d heard of a program that was being utilized all throughout the world: the International Thespian Society. As the class representative of the musical, she proposed to me that we look into the possibility of our school creating an official chapter of the organization.This program, which would allow students to win awards for hours put into the theatre arts, push themselves to obtain higher rankings on the thespian scale, travel to theatre competitions, and meet students just like themselves at sponsored conventions, was the perfect way for myself and many other students at my school to pursue their love for theatre year round. Being part of this prestigious program would help the musical program to expand by grabbing the attention of students schoolwide with the countless opportunities it offers. The strength of the International Thespian Society would provide a strong base of support for the future of our school’s musical program in a society that continues to cut funding to arts programs of schools

When I was an eighth grader in middle school, I joined IUSD Middle School Honor Orchestra. I played the viola in this orchestra and I was eighth chair violist out of sixteen violists. Many of my friends joined this orchestra and we had a lot of fun. I played different pieces of music with everyone in the orchestra and I learned many new things. Playing music pieces with different people that play different instruments have taught me a lot, and I learned that it is always important to work as a team. Joining this orchestra has given me the better understanding of music and teamwork. After the concert of this orchestra, we had a field trip to California Adventure and I performed there with the group of the first time.This is one of the best experience

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

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.

beyond contributing to the musical life not only to the community but on an international stage

While being enrolled in College Credit Plus, I have had the opportunity to take dual credit classes that have better prepared me for rigorous college level work. Although half of my classes are college taught, I have still been able to maintain a strong connection to my high school and the extracurricular courses it has to offer. Academics courses are very important to me however, one of my favorite parts of the day is being able to play in the schools highest orchestra group: Sinfonia. I am thankful to be a part of the College Credit Plus program because of the time management skills and preparation it has given me to be a successful college student.

Through weekly private lessons, chamber, wind, and orchestra ensemble playing, and assiduous independent practice, I have improved immensely as a trombonist and musician. My work paid off when I was accepted into Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute. At this nationally competitive program, I spent six weeks with talented, dedicated students while rubbing shoulders with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). I had never heard elite musicians live before the BSO. Their concerts brought tears to my eyes and my drive to make music at the highest level grew. After receiving instruction from these musicians and hearing their own performances, I refined my technique and made more tasteful musical decisions.

I love being a part of MYC because our conductors focus on learning, not just performing. The conductors choose many different pieces, from a victory chant from the year 1450 to 2014, and from French to Old English. The conductors help us learn, not just how to sing well, but also help us build confidence. If we are singing a piece in another language, we learn what the lyrics mean and how to pronounce

The week before all-state orchestra auditions meant everything needed to be perfect. I would meticulously practice my cello for extended periods of time, revisiting the same difficult passages until I was satisfied or my fingers became numb. There were few performance opportunities in South Dakota like all-state orchestra so I was determined to give a superb audition. Yet, regardless of the outcome I always felt proud, knowing I had done everything I could. Through these experiences I refined qualities such as excellence and diversity, which I anticipate will strengthen the student body, faculty, and mission at the Creighton University School of Medicine.

Being a member of the Negaunee Orchestra has unquestionably impacted my life in many ways.  Beginning in the fifth grade I started to learn what it meant to be dedicated to something besides my regular class work.  It was a fun and new challenge in my life.  I found that putting in that extra time practicing my violin individually was always worth it because I could then positively impact my orchestra as a group.  I also learned that I am a very results motivated person.  Being in orchestra has helped me to learn how to plan out my days to include quality practice time and how to set specific goals in regards to the pieces of music I’m working on.  In setting these specific goals I was able to work my way up until I became Concertmaster of

Upon completion of my sophomore year, I got a letter apprising me of my recommendation for the Oregon Ambassadors of Music. After paying a fairly sizeable amount of money and finalizing a tremendous amount of paperwork, I was on my way to Europe with other young musicians from Oregon. We had prepared an unmistakably American repertoire, featuring pieces such as Shenandoah and The Stars and Stripes. We had performances in illustrious cities such as London and Rothenberg, but our concert in

In third grade I was introduced to an orchestra program at my school district. This program was designed for students who have no experience with the violin, viola, cello, and bass. Although I already played the piano since age five, I thought learning the violin would be a fun experience. At the time I was unaware how committed I would be to the violin, my impulsive 8 year old self was simply intrigued with stringed instruments. 10 years later, I own my very own violin and continue to improve my music skills. Why I have continued to play through all these years sometimes baffles me; What are the benefits of playing a musical instrument?