Personal Essay: Music Program Analysis

It started when I was in the 6th grade A Man by the name of Mr. Williams showed up to my school and presented us with instruments out of all the ones he showed us I picked the clarinet for the start of my musical career. we only met up once a week but I did learn how to play and read all the basics. I continued on the clarinet for 2 more years but,I switch to saxophone in my second year of Middle School. it wasn't very difficult to make the switch because the saxophone and the clarinet are both woodwind instruments. The only difficulty

I am honored to be a nominee for the Governor's Honors Program (GHP). In being a part of GHP next summer, I have high hopes of learning more about my instrument and the places it can lead me. I have already decided that I plan on using my instrument and also my musical ability as part my career later on in life. My goal is to become a professional musician and a music therapist. I believe that this program can make that goal possible, as well as push me closer to reaching my full potential in many different aspects of life as well.

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.

Music Evaluation: “All About That Bass” Sitting at the top of several music charts, including Billboard’s “Hot 100,” is Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.” Although it is technically in the genre of pop, this song holds a 1960’s doo-wop feel. The music itself is upbeat, positive, and is seen as “feel good” music. As said by Bennett Reimer in “Why Do Humans Value Music,” “Music creates possibilities of feeling available only from music.”

I am a dedicated and conscientious student in class, and a key member in many extra-curricular activities. As a keen musician, playing violin, trombone and piano, I contribute to a number of musical ensembles in school and played an integral part in the organisation of our school’s summer concert. I am also a member of several local youth orchestras and bands, with whom I have toured abroad many times, most recently to Italy, France and Belgium.

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!

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

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.

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

I am passionate about playing music, being successful academically, and lastly I am passionate about using my strengths to help others. I am a member of our very own Stockdale High School Marching Band, and I am also a member of the Stockdale Jazz Band. Music is like an escape for me. Whenever I am feeling down, I will play some music and instantly feel better. I want to show people how music can be an outlet for anyone. I am quite the perfectionist so it is very important to me that I remain academically successful in all my classes. I enjoy using my strengths in academics to help others achieve academic success.

In case of interests, there is one interest in the field of music that I kept for the sake of it. Throughout my school years, I played for the band of Broken Arrow, specifically just the traditional band rather than the Pride of Broken Arrow. When I first joined the band around 6th grade, I started off playing the trumpet, but due to overplaying at multiple intervals, I was switched to the French horn, which I played up to what is currently my senior year in high school.

Whether it was learning a really hard piece from a complete stranger, or teaching a friend how to play a chord, the process of learning music has never failed to disappoint me. It seems as if you learn something new every time you teach someone, and that feeling of progression is something I hope to always pursue. Finally, I wish to continue to allow music and other arts to be a key part of my life. Music and other arts have created many positive outlooks in my life and I hope to spread and share the joys of the learning and teaching

“Haby was the first the first sixth grader to ever be in the senior band at M.S.2” the dean said, this really made me happy throughout the whole day, I could not stop smiling, everyone was cheering for me. This comment made me think about the next two years in my middle school, that I will be in this music class. This inspired me to become confident and never doubt myself, because you never know how it might turn out in life. This had a positive effect on me then and now, because music is now a part of my life that was hidden in me, which I found and embraced to be where it is now and in the future,

My musical taste changed a lot over the years. As a child and teenager I would categorize my music preference to fit the people around me. I did start playing the clarinet when I was in sixth grade and instantly feel in love with it. I was made fun of by many of my neighborhood friends so I was not as interested in it as I was once I got to high school. Band was one of the categorizes I kept to myself. I took private seasons at the Mcphail Center in Minneapolis. Also I had gotten a full scholarship to many colleges for my playing, but I decided to go a different route. Playing the clarinet and having played so many beautiful pieces is what made me fall in love with instrumental music.

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