For the past three and a half years I have been in the school band. I've taken part in the concert band, marching band, and I even took jazz band. It all began when I set up my schedule for sixth grade. I knew I wanted to be in band for a very long time, but I had no idea what I should play. Just a few weeks before sixth grade, when it was time to build my schedule, I was still struggling with what I wanted to try. Finally just before we turned in the form, my mom suggested I attempt playing percussion. It was like a switch had been flipped. I found what I was meant to play. Percussion instruments are all instruments played by striking with the hand, beater, pedal operated or handheld stick, or by shaking or cranking. Percussion instruments include drums, cymbals, keyed instruments, and all sorts of rattles. It didn't even cross my mind that a mostly boys would be interested in playing drums until the first day of school when I saw who was in the section with me. The first year was very exciting but looking back on it I had no idea how much better it would get. That time was just an introduction to everything that was to come. We spent the 180 day school year learning to count rhythms, read notes, play the notes, and use proper technique. At that time they only let us play bells. All the songs were simple, but I thought it was fantastic. I was constantly battling Reuben Daniels for first chair. We both had an aptitude for percussion instruments. Back then there was one
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.
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.
I don’t remember if it was my choice or my parents, but in 5th grade when we were given the choice to be in band, I was very anxious to start. We got to meet with Mrs. Jones and try a few different instruments before making a decision. My top three choices were percussion, trombone, and clarinet (only because my sister had played it). I tried the clarinet first and thought it was alright, but not my favorite. I tried the trombone next, and while it was difficult, I really wanted to keep trying. I also tried percussion- she just had me keep a beat on my leg- and I thought percussion may be difficult for me, but I still wanted to do it. In the end, Mrs. Jones decided I would be best fit for the clarinet, mostly because I could use my sisters and not have to buy a new instrument. I was happy with the choice, mostly because I was excited to be playing anything!
I have been actively participating in the school band for five years. While most of my fellow classmates have dropped out of band, I have stuck with it because, I know band teaches me valuable
I have played trumpet since I was in the fourth grade -- that makes a grand total of 8 years. I had always taken private lesson and taken a keen interest in perfecting the instrument. At the beginning of high school, I decided to switch teachers and start working towards the district band audition. Just like with everything else I do, I was going to put all my effort into making district band. To be honest, I did not think I was going to make district band freshman year of high school simply because it was my first time auditioning. But when it was all said and done, I received a spot in the district band ensemble. It was the best musical experience I have ever had. I have never heard so many great musicians together before, and to be a part of it was absolutely incredible. I knew that I had to do anything I could to be a part of this group year
High school has never been the worst years of my life. It has been difficult, but I had never felt like it was truly wonderful or meaningful until this year. This past summer, I joined the marching band, and since then my life has changed drastically. Marching band has increased the quality of my high school life, given me the opportunity to impact others, and taught me more about myself than I knew before. Being in marching band, I have made an abundant amount of friendships that never before have I experienced.
Lastly, being in band has made a great impact in my life because, I love it, I love music, and I enjoy being in something bigger than myself. I love the feel when each individual comes together to be part of something bigger than oneself. My main example would be marching band, due to all the individuals that it takes to make an entire show. Over two hundred and fifty individuals are asked to do various of tasks but at the end it is all worth it because, after every show or performance each individual will put all they have onto that field. Not only do I enjoy being in something bigger than myself but I also have a passion for music. Ever since I was little I was always interested in music and I wanted to play an instrument so when I got into
I joined my high school’s marching band my freshman year, playing trumpet. I love playing trumpet, and being part of the trumpet section. I played trumpet during my Freshman, Sophomore
Of course like the band nerd I am, I was really excited to try out and hopefully be a part of something that is much bigger than yourself. So a couple weeks after trying out, I figure out that I have made the marching band as a freshman! I also figured out that some of the Washington clarinets made it too. So after I passed eighth grade, summer finally came and I had to learn all of this challenging music that was above my knowledge and had to turn them into to a website to prove that I was practicing. Near end of July came and I had to go the dreaded band
To prepare, I started doing lessons because I had become intrigued at the prospect of playing mallets. When marching season rolled around, I was given a marimba part and that was a huge accomplishment for me because I’d never so much as touched a marimba until about two months prior. During marching band I truly discovered my love for percussion, and just band in general (this was due to the positive and inclusive atmosphere that had been created). I also began doing drum set lessons, mostly because percussion has so many different instruments attached that I want to learn to play all of
Memories began to race through my mind as I started to look back at the time when I first joined the marching band. Coming into high school, I was not reluctant to try out new things, and marching band was an activity that would allow me to open myself up to others and develop a strong sense
The school aspect of band is also unique. Band class is seventh period every day. We sit by section and instrument in three rows, as well as by chair. Chair is what part of music you have, like first or second. Our band teacher, Miss. Riendeau, starts us out on our warm ups. We play our B, E, A and D scales, then we do variations of them. Scales are done to get our mouth use to playing and to improve our dexterity. From warmups, we then go on to play whatever music we’re currently working on. We have both a spring concert and winter concert. We also have a Memorial Day parade, and a Veterans Day
I started band in the 6th grade, I honestly thought that I wasn’t going to make it to my senior year, but here I am a senior in band. I am not forced to be in band I can get out at anytime anyday, but I choose not to. It is hard when you are marching and it feels like 100+ degrees. You feel like you want to pass out, but you just have to suck it up and be tough. Throughout the years I have been in band I have created friendships. I have my closest friends in band. I have created many memories in band that will last a lifetime, that I will share one day with my kids. I do not know what I would do without band. Getting in band has been the best decision I have ever made. Band has been the highlight of my high school years. One of the scariest moments I have experienced in band was when we messed up at U.I.L. contest, I was terrified I did not want us to make a 2, it all happened so fast. It was time to get our results, we made a 1, I was so happy. The judges said that if you were to close your eyes and listening to us, you would not know we messed up. We never stopped playing and we recovered so fast, we were so matured when this happened. Band takes up
Going into sixth grade band, I was unsure what instrument I wanted to play, or even if I would enjoy being in band at all. Initially, on the day we were allowed to try out instruments, the trumpet and alto saxophone stood out to me. I first tried to play the trumpet, and I was able to produce a fairly reasonable tone with it. On the other hand, I tried the saxophone, and it made what I described as a "farting noise" at the time. Needless to say, I decided that I wanted to play the trumpet, and I have never regretted that decision.
I first joined the band in the fourth grade playing the drums. I played for about two weeks then I quit because I didn't like it, mostly because of the teacher. In the sixth grade we got a new music teacher and told me I look like a trumpet player, so I gave it a try. I was taking music lessons but after the first one my music teacher told me she had to leave because she