Marching Band

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.

In May of 2017 I auditioned along with three of my peers, vying for the position of drum major for the Valley View High School Marching Band. The results left me with the role of Drum Major. I was extremely excited to make the year the best yet and I could not wait to see what was in store. Before our season began I was sent to George N. Parks’s Drum Major Academy. George Parks was a former drum major and director of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band. He was an inspiration to many people, leaving his mark on this world. George founded a drum major academy to inspire students to be not only better drum majors, but better leaders as well. I received the opportunity to attend one of the many workshops presented by the Drum Major Academy. The combination of the lessons I learned while attending the academy and the lessons I learned just from navigating through this

Have you ever truly thought of the purpose of the marching band? For most people, the marching band at the football games is just there for "decoration." Everyone thinks the band is only there to entertain the fans, but in reality, they are doing so much more. Yes, they are there for entertainment, but the marching band is one of the biggest support systems the team has. For some members of the team, they cannot play well without hearing the band. In high school, the marching band attended every football game, so it made sense to continue the tradition in college. If a player has gotten used to hearing the blaring sound of the trumpets or the big bang of the drums as they are sprinting down the field, they are most likely to play well when they hear it because it is familiar. Just as the cheerleaders cheer for our boys to make touchdowns, the marching band plays their hearts out in hopes of seeing the score light up in favor of our team.

It is during monotonous afternoons in the sweltering heat where one discovers the true limitations of his or her resolve. Remarkably, our exuberant group of approximately 160 members repeatedly managed to accomplish a new feat and set a precedent after every repetition. Much of this persistence I attribute to our band director, whose passion and resolution roused us to attain superior versions of ourselves. Often, he would remind us that “what was acceptable yesterday is not acceptable today”, a sample of his wisdom that prompted me to audition for the role of drum major. A drum major is essentially the foremost proprietor of student leadership within a marching band and he or she functions as a musical conductor during performances. Though I was not chosen at the conclusion of my freshman year, my commitment only intensified. I auditioned once more at the end of the following year and was selected. Suddenly, I was thrust into a renowned position of liability. My success depended on effectively communicating with individuals unfamiliar to me on a daily basis and defusing stiff situations. Stressful and tedious as I have discovered the role to be, it has bolstered my confidence and allowed me to acknowledge the mantle of leadership in a new

I already have leadership experience within the SIHS band so I understand what is expected of me and what I need to do. When I was Flag Captain, I had the responsibility of keeping track of a section and I would like to do that for the entire band. One of my strongest traits is my musical abilities. When I started playing instruments, I played the viola. I did that for three years, but then once I got to high school, I wanted to not do just color guard, but concert band- so I taught myself the bassoon. Once it was time for jazz band I realized I probably couldn't play bassoon there (even though that'd be pretty cool) I decided I wanted to play saxophone so I taught myself that as well. Aside from my primary instruments if I can try any instrument to get a better understanding of it I definitely take the opportunity. With the different instruments I’ve been exposed to reading treble, alto, tenor and bass clef, which comes in handy when reading a score and helping certain sections. Since I can read and play different kinds of music I am able to help more people in band with playing and fixing their music which is beneficial for a Drum Major. I also like to listen to many styles of music like various classical genres or jazz. If I hear a song or solo, I get the music, then try to learn and perfect

Hey guys! Today we have rehearsal from 5pm-8pm. Make sure to wear tennis shoes, because we will be marching outside today. Along with that bring sunglasses, a hat, or anything you feel the need to bring, to accommodate the heat. Dont forget to have your binder, with your music in clear plastic pages. If you're feelin fancy bring some water erase markers so you can write on the clear plastic pages, to mark your music. If you're not feelin fancy, bring a pencil to mark your music with. If you haven't filled out your forms yet, or brought in your money, please bring them in as soon as possible. All of the forms are on the band website (www.bruinband.net) or the marching band's facebook page. Also, if you have not filled out Mr. S's personal google

Oley Pride rings fiercely as twelve bands compete to stand out, and to impress Penn State’s Blue Band with their abilities.

The University of Wisconsin Marching Band plays a big part in the excitement of Badger athletics. However, there are many important parts that make up the success of the UW- Madison Marching Band. Students and staff are faced with busy fall and winter schedules and the time commitment of being in the band, however their love and interest in this pastime remains strong.

Although I will focus mainly on my senior year, I want to start from the beginning of freshman year. All throughout my high school days, my schedule has been very tight, with activities taking place just about every day. On Mondays, I had karate from six to nine, Tuesdays church band practice from five to eight, Wednesdays choir practice from seven to eight, and Thursdays through Saturdays free. Of course, Sunday was reserved for church. However, in my senior year of high school, my schedule worsened as I made the mistake of staying in marching band, and that removed my weekends of freedom, making my schedule tighter. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the marching band season, but it became frustrating at points because I would spend nine hours

To think of something that didn’t go my way I don’t have to look back very far. This spring I tried out for the drum major position in the Ohio State University Marching band. I was a member of the band last year and drum major was the next logical step in my journey. I had practiced for months leading up to tryouts. I thought I was ready for anything. During the first of three parts of the tryout process I was twirling down the field and the baton slipped out of my hand during a crucial part in the routine. I was devastated but I thought I still might have a chance. After everyone had tried out we waited for them to announce who had won. Nothing hurt worse than standing there in front of my friends and family and not having my name called.

Marching band isn't just a group of kids finally getting outside for once to run around a football field and blare random notes out of their instruments or spin flags. It's not just an activity or a way to pass the time. It’s not about getting all the medals and trophies or making it to State. It's more important than that. Marching band is a family that brings people together and helps people to grow.

An anonymous person once said, “You have to learn the importance of hard work before you can achieve your dreams.” Every Band leader should know this. Being a member of band is like being a member of a family that is bigger is much more than a normal family.As a band member you are helping your section and peers become better marching band members. Color guard for instance,as Color Guard Caption I would help my fellow members with marching, memorizing routines, and helping them be in time. As a band section leader I believe I can offer a lot. I believe I can offer help writing complex routines and help organize the routine, help organize more group activities, and help make sure every person feels comfortable and safe in the environment they are being exposed to.

For my freshman and sophomore years, I auditioned and was accepted into the symphonic band as a saxophonist. This was a major achievement for me because the symphonic band is our school's most prestigious band. I was unable to participate in symphonic band as a junior due to my surgery. Because of my passion for music, I did not want my jaw surgery to stop me, so I learned a new instrument in the percussion section. I participated in jazz band, concert band, and marching band. As a senior, I am back to playing my saxophone. I am also back to marching on the field. Additionally, I am an integral part of the band's leadership program. As a group, we find ways to improve the band program so that it will strive to be the best that it can be. I want to ensure that students behind me have the same opportunities I did so they can achieve their musical

Brass bands survived and thrived by incorporating popular music. Contemporary brass bands are no exemption to this either. This chapter examines the particular pieces that have been a part of the repertoire since the turn of the twentieth century. It will concentrate on how the band members used popular music into their own style to fit the band's instrumentation, technique and style.

While watching the marching band perform at Kennedy Middle School for three years, I was always amazed by their talent, precision, and energetic spirit. I knew that the oboe was not a marching instrument, although that was the instrument I played in the middle school band. I was destined to find a way to be apart of the amazing experience that is, the Wall of Sound. I emailed as many friends that I knew in the marching band and talked with the directors to find out how I could become involved with marching band. They suggested doing the Color Guard Workshop, a training camp for eighth-graders interested in being apart of the color guard. I worked so hard during this camp to enhance my skills in hopes of one day being apart of the Wall of Sound