Metal Band Skills

These past three years in the band have had an incredible impact on my life. Although it all started in 6th grade, when I first picked up a flute, I feel that I have grown more in these three years than I have in the total of my 6 years in band.

Being involved in several activities at Skutt Catholic aspire and motivate me to reach and strife for success and accomplishment. A prime example of my accomplishments are shown in the band program. My commitment and passion for band goes deep within the band program. I strictly practice self discipline of constant repetition and long dedicated practices in order to receive superiors in districts and an alternate position in the Nebraska Allstate band my sophomore year. As a the drum major of the marching band I had to uphold several leadership skills that require essential attribute to the position. These essential attributes include excellent musical, marching, organizational, and communication skills, as well as a servant-leader attitude. Being the leader of the band demands that I become the best role model I can be for upperclassmen. For instance I am the first to arrive and leave at practices, I must always maintain a positive attitude at all times, and to humbly go the extra mile to serve the band. Another activity that symbolizes my character was football. Football was both a mental and physical struggle, but what truly motivated me to strap on the green and black helmet everyday was my deep respect for my loyal teammates and legacy of the football program built at Skutt Catholic. During

The achievements of the Edgewood drum line has lead my transition from childhood to adulthood in many ways. My director has shown me how to be not only a good percussionist, but also a good leader. From these leadership qualities, I was able to lead our drum line to success in 2016. The the indoor drum line finals at the MEPA finals in 2016 where the Edgewood Drumline was awarded first place for our performance. This accomplishment was many years in development after getting third and second place for 3 years in a row. This achievement meant a lot to me and my peers at Edgewood, as it is one of the most major endeavors that Edgewood's music department has accomplished.

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

Despite this, marching band forced me to practice more and perfect my skills, and I am increasingly better now for it. I even made an alternate for all-county, something I thought only “good players” could do. Turns out, I am

For the 2017-2018 SIHS marching band season, I am applying for the position of Drum Major. I am choosing to do so because I believe I am a strong and competitive candidate for multiple reasons. Something I think is very valuable in considering someone for a leadership role is their determination. In marching band, giving up is never an option no matter how hard things are. When you’re in charge of the entire band you can't give up because everyone's leaning back and relying on you.

When Chad Smith graduated high school in 1980, he encountered one of his most important musical experiences. Chad Smith was invited to start drumming with a band. The band was named ‘Pharaoh’ and it was a hit band around the year 1981. When he started playing with this band, Chad Smith met the band’s percussionist, Larry Fratangelo. With this experience, Chad’s drumming was increasing dramatically. “I think up until then, I was a drummer. Once I studied with Larry, I turned into a

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”.

Ever since Mrs. Bissell mentioned about Marching at Football Games, Showcase, and Parades, I knew I wanted to be a drum major but she said I would be better off as a color guard member in the back. From that day on, I want to prove her wrong by joining Marching Band. You don’t need to be the greatest or the best player to have leadership skills. No everyone was born to be a successful leader, but it takes a lot of practice, responsibility and a positive mindset to have the skills. I was influenced to become a drum major from Aaron, Christian, and the pervious drum majors because all of them left band with a legacy no one will ever forget. But, it’s not just the previous drum majors I was influenced by. Nick, Michael, Vy, Mr. Sebastian, and my wonderful section leader Sarah also inspired me too. However, many previous drum majors set the standards at a high level and it's my privilege to keep the tradition going by setting the standards even higher. One reason why I will be a good candidate is, I want to be one of the leaders who can help other marching band members and listen to their problems, because I love helping everyone and put a smile on their

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.

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

In my school’s marching band, I had spent the entirety of my high school year hoping to be granted the prestigious position as Drum Major, and many people stated that I would be the best fit for the position. Due to all of the positive feedback I received in regards to becoming the Drum Major, I felt as though I had a great chance at earning this title. Unfortunately, this long lasting dream of mine was shattered when I failed to acquire the position. Though defeated, I did not let this failure take hold of my passion for music and my desire to be a leader. During summer practices, I consistently showed my talents, and I made it a point to show my band director just how abled I am to have a leadership position. Come the end of band camp, I

If I were to become drum major, I think one of my greatest difficulties would be to get the band enthusiastic again. I am known in the band for always yelling the cheers within

Throughout high school, I participated in the marching and symphonic bands offered by the music department. Through these activities, I was given many different opportunities that allowed me to grow as a leader. As a senior member of the band, many younger members looked to me for assistance in all things, from the fit of a marching band uniform to the location of the extra copies of music. I also served as a role model when it came to performances. I was able to lead by example whenever those around me struggled with the marching band routines, or the notes of the songs. Those around me could count on me to know how to execute the performances properly, and I was always willing to help others learn to do so as well. I would often take charge

Since junior year, I had been section leader of the low brass and woodwind section. My high school had just gone through the transition of losing a music teacher and gaining a recently graduated band director. This of course was a recipe for disaster. My “friend” Field was the drum major. She wasn’t a very good leader of the band and we often butted heads on how she should lead. While I admit it was not my place to say how she should run things, I had a very clear and set way of how to lead. I had been utilizing this since the end of sophomore year and thought that it wouldn’t be that difficult. But I digress. The band was having difficulty with setting charts. The drum majors, counting out Field, and the other section leaders were itching to have a night rehearsal. Eventually the new band director, Mr. Watson, agreed to initiate a night rehearsal. Everyone in the band had already had their nerves on end. Our marching show was not yet placed on the field, plus the vast majority of the band did not have their music memorized. Mind you, we had the looming cloud of state competition which was only four weeks away at this time.