Flute Choir Reports

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.

As a member of Weaver High School Band, I serve as first chair flute and as section leader of flutes. I am responsible to see that flutists

Purpose: The purpose of the following document is to highlight to the Board of Heritage Christian Academy the current state of, the challenges faced by, the vision for, and the future potential of the band program.

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.

I came to realize that playing music can bring someone great fortune. I had no plans for the future, no goals, nor dreams before I starting my path in music. I never wondered without direction. But one day, good fortune came to me. A fortune I would have never of thought of. It was The Gracias choir and music. I was thinking to myself “I have never been so happy nor have I had so much enjoyment to live. To have an open mind to people around the world by delivering my heart threw my music. It looks like a dream!"

The instruments in the first gathering included bass, drums, conga, trumpet, alto saxophone, shaker and vibraslap. They performed two quick tempo melodies for drums and percussion, and every instrumentalist was given the chance to hold a performance. All through the execution of the first gathering, the bass player was absence of innovativeness and specialized abilities that should have been be cleaned; his spontaneous creation was a progression of specific scales that were dull and basic. Then again, he was extremely rhythmical and had decent state of mind toward the group of onlookers, coordinating great with drums and knew how to connect with the gathering of people. Particularly, the alto saxophone player was not the same as different instrumentalists, since his tones were more vividly communicated than some other payers. His act of spontaneity was confounded and inventive too. His pitch and rhythms were exact. Notwithstanding that, he executed as harmony with trumpet player in a brief moment performing melody, where he demonstrated a decent feeling of flow. In general, despite the fact that every part of the orchestra possessed the differential musical skill, but they coordinated with each other quite

A high school music teacher and band director, Dwight Asberry provides valuable instruction in both specific instrument training and general music appreciation and history. He also excels as a composer and arranger. Over the course of his career in music education, Dwight Asberry has directed a number of college, high school, middle school, and youth organization performance ensembles including symphonic and concert band, jazz band, pep band, marching band, drum line, wind ensemble, string orchestra, and choir.

Music has always been integral in my life. During my childhood, when I was four years old, I pressed my fingers on an oven handle like a piano. Throughout my childhood years I listened to my mom’s old-school mix CD’s, along with the Pandora music app on my old Kindle. In fifth grade, I picked up the piano. My alto saxophone studies began in seventh grade. When high school arrived, I turned my focus to guitar and voice. The more knowledge I absorbed, the more knowledge I craved. My decision to pursue music was also influenced by the inspirations I’ve encountered on my journey so far.

The University of Redlands Wind Ensemble, directed by Eddie R. Smith, put on a show at the Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, November 16th. Walking into the monumental Chapel I was unsure of what to expect. As I walked in I saw the amazing artwork around, the high ceilings, and a wide variety of instruments scattered on different levels of the stage. On the first level there were many small hand held instruments such as flutes and clarinets, on the second there were a wide variety of brass instruments, and finally in the last row were the percussion instruments. Knowing that it was a wind ensemble and not a traditional orchestra like the ones we have been made familiar with during this course, I was unsure of what to expect. I thought that

For many, a fun summer often includes a visit to some sort of fair, whether it be the county fair or even the state fair. One of the unique aspects of the Ohio State Fair, specifically, is that they have their own youth choir known as the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir. This is an organization designed to bring high school students from all over the state of Ohio to live at the Ohio State Fair for eighteen days to make music. Throughout this experience, I have learned many important skills that will stick with me throughout the entirety of my life. Here is just a small sample of what I’ve learned.

I have truly loved the two years, and counting, that I have spent participating in the Phoenix Girls Chorus, PGC. In PGC there are five different levels of choir. From least to most experienced the choir levels are: Melodia, Harmonia, Dolce, Bella, and Cantabile. Last year and the year before I was in the Dolce choir and this year I promoted to Bella. In order to promote to another choir you must complete all the theory book requirements and master a special skill, such as sight reading.

At the beginning of the piece, the trumpets had a established a good melody and were clearly louder than the rest of the band. At measure 9, the band did a good job of getting quiet and the trombones were able to carry the melody through measure 17. At measure 17, the trumpets regained control of the melody and there was a good balance between the trumpets and the winds. At measures 25 through 43, it was a little difficult to tell who had the melody as many instruments were playing at a mezzo forte dynamic marking. At measure 46, we had a nice chord that was led by the Euphoniums and trombones. At measure 47, the clarinets did a good job of regaining the melody. The band started to cover the melody at measures 55 through 63 as more and more instruments were being added. At measure 71, the band found the melody in the trumpets and the winds and sustained it until measure 103. At measure 103, we went right back into the flute melody which was played until measure 120. At measure 120, we had a good transition and then the trumpets gained the melody and played it well above the band. The trombones also did a good job of filling in with a melody of their own at measures 120 through 135. At measures 135 through 143, the trombone melody was completely lost and the backgrounds were way too loud. At measure 143, the trumpets regained the melody and played well over the band and the trombones also played their counter

The first two or three sectionals of marching band, where you go and practice the marching music every Tuesday for four hours, were very awkward because I was by myself. Another flute showed up eventually and helped reduce the awkwardness. It was scary but it quickly became just something I did. Then the long hours, sunburns, dehydration, exhaustion, and fun started. We spent around six to seven hours outside marching, one to two hours practicing music, and one hour to eat lunch. To some people this might seem like nothing but for others it’s the opposite, and no

It took a lot of preparation to put this concert together. Acapella alone had 10 songs we were participating in. And, many of the songs in this concert were in a different language. I still support the idea that we work best as a big group as we isolate sections.