It’s a normal October Friday night, and I’m at the football field. No, I’m not in the student section cheering for my football team with big signs or streamers; I’m on the actual field, about to conduct my marching band’s field show. The bright stadium lights reflect off my glowing smile as I silently wish all of my bandmates good luck. My adrenaline rushes and I start to conduct as if my life simply depends on it. For five years, I have contributed to this band and called it my family (and for good reason). I have met some of the greatest people that I have ever known through playing with them and being by their sides through the best and worst performances. The first 10 weeks of school are some of the busiest in the entire school year, due to all of the practices and games. However, despite its craziness, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Becoming the drum major of the band I had …show more content…
Not only am I the head drum major of my band, but I’m also the president of concert band, a member of the handbell choir (for three years), and apart of my school’s jazz band (for four years). I take this responsibility very seriously and try my best to aid my band director whenever I can. Besides band, I am a member of the school chorus (for two years), the women’s ensemble (for two years), my school’s chamber choir (for two years), and a community choir (for five years)! Music, ever since middle school, has been the driving force that’s kept me busy in life. While other students were bored in study hall, I always was able to resort to my band room to practice. In my high school career, I have had the honor to attend two (going on three) district band festivals and one (hopefully two) region band festivals. These opportunities have been nerve-wracking, yet extremely informing and exciting. My life as a musician has made me think differently on life and provided insight on
It has taught me about the dynamic of managing my band as well as the importance of my role in the band program. I have had the opportunity to work with various players of varying skill levels yet manage to bring them all to one accord to help our band receive superior ratings at the state marching band competition. This leadership position has enabled me to work diligently and persistently with my members to help them reach their utmost potential. Thus, slightly making the band director’s job easier. My position has also allowed me to be a positive role model for not only my section, but also the entire band, showing them a pivotal example of what a band student should be inside and out of the band program. I now know that my position as a student leader not only benefited the band director, but the entire band program as a
Most schools offer a variety of activities, classes, and clubs. I personally was never interested in school or anything to do with it. Then I came across band and was instantly hooked. Band has concerts, marching band, and you get to meet new people. Band is my favorite class and here are some reasons why.
When I'm not in school I have Since my freshman year I have been doing marching band. As a sophomore I took my position as a upperclassman to help my freshman to the best of my ability. I help the freshman in my section to read drill, marching techniques, and how to play the music. While doing that I also do activities with my Girl Scout troop. I have been in Girl Scouts since the 4th grade and that has been a wonderful learning experience. From learning the ways of sales, to taking educational trips around the state i have grown in skill and character. Also for the last 3 years I have been the 2nd in highest cookie sales so that has been been very beneficial. Then during the summer I volunteer at the Durham Art's Council's Summer Camp as
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
“Roll those feet! Keep those toes high! Square your shoulders! Keep the tempo moving!” This can be heard by directors, in most marching band rehearsals, as the band is racing around the field while playing mentally demanding music. Competitive marching band, the highlight of some high schoolers’ fall season, is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a group of musicians who play instruments while marching together at a parade or sports event” (“Marching Band”). In comparison a sport is defined as “a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other” (“Sports”). High school competition band is where a band practices from July to November to prepare one show to be
12. Skateboarding and marching band might not seem very similar with alike characteristics, but you would be surprised how I train for both of them very similarly. When I go to the skatepark I always am there for over three hours at a time. This means that I have good breath control. If a random person tried skating for three hours they would be passed out on the ground because they would run out of breath. That is the same thing for marching band. In marching band I will be running across the field while playing blasting into my tuba. In order to be able to do something longer, such as skate for a longer period of time, you must do a warm up. This means that I can’t just go to the skatepark and start shredding. I first should do basic tricks before advancing into harder tricks.
What is your stereotypical marching band geek? Weak, thin, and clumsy, having broken glasses and always seem to be holding their instrument?
A primary characteristics that defines who I am as an individual is my musical interests and abilities. I grew up in a house that has been massively influenced by the art of music. My family has celebrated it for generations. My parents tell me stories about concerts that they and my extended family went to when they were younger. They saw shows like the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, the Clash, Steve Earle, U2, Van Morrison, etc.
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”.
For five years, I have been a committed member of my high school’s marching band. For two of those five years, I have been given the opportunity to be the drum major where I conducted and commanded the band. Despite being the only sophomore competing against juniors for the title, the band director saw that I possessed the leadership qualifications needed to inspire the band to work as a single unit. Being drum major, as well as participating in marching band itself, has made me more communicative with other people. As a senior member, the younger students look to me and the other seniors for proper examples of experience. However, as the drum major, the younger members look to me for proper marching technique, advice, and an ear to listen.
First of all I wanted to say thank you for allowing me to be in guard and allowing me to gain experiences throughout my marching band career. I am writing you this letter to tell you how elated I am for you to be my teacher for the third year in a row! The reason I am so excited is because you and band have taught me valuable lessons. Some of the most important lesson I have learned from you are hard work, discipline, and pride. Without being under your supervision in guard or in guard in general, I do not believe I would have learned these values as quick as I did. You have opened my eyes to what I can and will achieve in both my marching and personal career. But the best part about the integrity that have you have instilled in me is that
At my middle school, I was also in two musicals with large, leading parts with singing roles as well. I have been in multiple bands. The most recent band I was in played shows all around the Morgantown area and in surrounding cities. In my most recent band, I was the leader of the band, helping decided which songs we were going to do, and help writing out sheet music for everyone’s parts. For this concentration, I believe that I will have a good starting off point, as some of the requirements I have already completed. I am already taking Theatre right now and I also Skype my bass teacher back home twice a week for long lessons. I practice my bass and guitar about six hours a week. I am planning to volunteer at the Community Music School and help organize music and parts for students. As I have already played in the pit for Fall Parents Weekend and will plan to for the next three years, I also plan to help sing in the choir for the Christmas Pageant and still be in clubs that involve the arts. As of now, I am in Jam Session (I am planning to be a Co-Head next year) and the A Capella group that performed at the holiday
Sophomore year of marching came. This year was a surprise for everyone. With our show being named ‘Masterminder.’ The band members marching were under control by the color guard soloist; the puppeteer. This show was pretty exciting, too. The judges also thought that. We made it past regionals AND semi-state. What? Yeah, we all thought the same thing. We had made it. We had FINALLY made it after so many years of just trying to get past regionals for once. It was a bitter-sweet feeling waiting for placement awards at Lucas Oil Stadium. The instructors went around to each band student one by one. The congratulated us on an amazing season. I started tearing up, but that isn’t surprising. As we marched our way out of Lucas Oil Stadium that night, I knew that this was only the beginning of a new generation for the Marching Marksmen.
Many interests can affect people in different ways. My biggest interest is marching and pep band as well as band class. Band is where I made a lot of my friends and was able to be myself without feeling insecure. It’s one of the things I look forward to when I go to school. Band is also one of the things that made me fall in love with Purdue, especially the Purdue All-American Marching Band. Seeing them perform out on the field is amazing and just a sight to see what they can create. Their pep bands that perform for the basketball games are great to hear as well. Overall Purdue’s marching band and pep band are excellent at what they do and inspiring others to join. Challenges can be rough, but we can surpass them and achieve our goals. One
What is marching band? A marching band show is arranged musical show that utilizes both bodies and a variety of instruments. While spectators see this unique show they don’t often realize how much work actually goes into a halftime performance. Band