My Love For Music

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

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

During the past year, I have made several contributions to the marching band. Most profoundly, I made up one of four drums working in sync to combine separate parts into one. Without my presence the music would be disjointed when played. As part of percussion, my contribution to the band is providing a steady and consistent rhythm to support wind instruments. More broadly, I have contributed my time to attend all practices arriving on time, and meeting outside of school for additional practices and sectionals. On the other hand, I have also helped other members of my section with music when needed, Lastly, I have helped stay after on occasions to clean up, load, or help unload equipment.

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”.

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

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.

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

Ever since my older sister, Molly, had gotten into our high school’s marching band I have longed to join; that was almost 3 years ago. As the years went on I went into middle school and started my band life there. I went to 6th grade as a new percussionist. I wasn’t the most social person so playing in front of people soon became the main worry. I would deal with this difficulty all of middle school. But I learned to overcome it at my tryouts for the marching band.

I learned from many of my peers that a leader will accomplish nothing if they don’t learn to respect and influence those around them. In the end, I did not become a perfect leader or the leader with the most talent, but I was able to empower my peers to push through the pain of the season and influence them to stick to the repetition needed to build great skill. I now realize that the effort I gave wasn’t for my own personal benefit, but was made in hopes that I could instill what I’ve learned to the youth of the band. My hopes and dreams for the younger band members is to continue to grow and perform to the best of their

My decision to join marching band was the best choice I’ve made during my high school career. Over the years, I’ve learned countless of important qualities; punctuality, determination, courage, and responsibility. Not only did I learn those qualities myself, but we learned them together as a band. If one of us forgot our drill cards or was late to practice, we all knew that meant running and tybo jumping jacks. In one way or another everyone learned that we had a responsibility to uphold. If we didn’t work together, the band was going to crash and burn.

For most of my high school career chosen to be a part of the band program. From a very young age, music has been a part of my life in every direction. Both my older sisters brought me into this ever-changing musical World where I found solace and enjoyment from hard work. However, as I got older it became apparent that my peers saw me as a responsible individual and thought it 'd be best I ran for a leadership position within the band program. At first, my goal was just to help those around me to become a better musician and for them to grow as not only people but to become good role models for next year 's incoming freshman. As this marching season, one on it became apparent that people do not like those in higher positions than them. Our

One hot summer day, a friend introduced me to the Beatles. She whipped out her iPod and shoved the earbuds in so fast that I had no time to protest. It was that moment, when the music was blasting in my ear, that I first began my journey as an obsessed fan. In fact, my love for the Beatles has only grown since then. However, I am not the only one affected. The fandom started in the 1960s, when the Beatles had just risen to fame. Looking back, it is not hard to see why the band became so beloved among the people. Songs like "Revolution," "Yesterday," and "Good Day Sunshine," were just a few that changed lives because they dealt with topics that afflicted people deeply.

When parents place their kids in extracurricular activities at young ages they never know to what extent their child is either going to love it or hate it. My parents never expected me to fall in love with dance the way I did. From the tiny age of 4 till this day, dance has always been something I am extremely passionate about. Out of everything I tried – soccer, cheerleading, gymnastics – dance was the one that stuck.

From day to day, I live trying to figure out my purpose of being in this world. No child is born a mistake irrespective of the circumstances. I was born with a talent, although, yet to be discovered. A talent is a symbol of who a person really is. When I was younger, my dad put me through music school hoping that I would learn to play the piano because he wished he did when he was my age. I was not a big fan of playing the piano so I struggled most of the time. My fingers were so stiff and my instructor would request that I moisturize and massage them to make them more flexible. However, the underlying issue was my lack of interest and not my un-cooperating fingers.

Joining a marching band can be such a wonderful “once in a lifetime” experience. The two weeks of band camp where everyone practices nonstop to learn all of their drill and music, and the exhausting yet entertaining band competitions, and the long hours of after-school rehearsal, all of which can only be experienced in a marching band. But not only is the band hardworking and successful on our own, it’s all under the control and help of Mr. Barrett, our band director. Mr. Barrett is such a hardworking, ambitious, caring, and humorous teacher. He puts the band before himself, and dedicates his time to teach and care for his students. He has created a bond with his students that makes him unlike many other teachers and instead he is more of a guardian and mentor, rather than someone that just gives the band their drill and music and tells them to play and march. Mr. Barrett teaches his students to strive for success at every competition and leads the band with his patience and dedication.