Personal Narrative: A Career As A Choral Union Officer

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.

From Starting off with zero confidence and feeling like I didn’t belong, I have come a long way, most of that I owe to music. Choir is who I am, of the students here at PHS I fall under the category of “choir kid”, I am proud to wear that label. Along my way through choir, I have developed a love for fitness through choir. Some of the friends I have made through the years have been bodybuilders, they taught me to not care what others think of me, and if I did have a problem with what they thought, to prove them wrong, to show them that you can become. Music has made me into this person I want to be. I have found a true passion in music, choir has made me be into person I am. Its

Wanting to be a part of that family-like bond they had, I auditioned sophomore year, but I did not get in. Naturally I was devastated, and my ego took a hit. But I used that year to further improve myself and my leadership skills. I went back into chorale and was able to help the freshmen learn their music as a peer tutor. During the spring I experienced something new by joining Women’s Concert choir. Finally, my junior year I made it. It took yet another year to help me become independent on my part. The class also taught me to work hard and learn how to manage my time. Finally my senior year, I was named section leader. As a section leader I am responsible for teaching my section their part by playing the piano. I am also responsible for answering anyone’s questions and making sure everyone understands important concepts and seeing that the group bonds with each other. Outside of school my duties are still performed. After school I am still a leader in Gospel Choir and in all of our rehearsals. If anyone needs me they can text me and I will help them. Not only has this position given me the opportunity to help my section, but also it has helped me to develop leadership skills that I

I’m the tuba section leader in the Pride of Broken Arrow (my high school marching band) for my junior and senior year and i’m also a leading and active member at my church, especially in the youth group. Doing those things are very important to me because they gave me some leading experience early on in my adulthood that many people don't get until college or after they start working.

Throughout my life, I’ve always had an immense interest in helping others. Being involved in the National Charity League for 5 years has given me the opportunity to be involved with charities that I otherwise would’ve never known about. I’ve had the privilege to help with over b charities in and around my community throughout my years as an NCL member. By far my favorite would have to be Grace’s Feed Our Kids that I have volunteered at every summer since my start in NCL. Through this charity, we are able to provide lunches and fun games to underprivileged kids in Grapevine during the unbearably hot Texas summer days. Each day we serve different meals, either donated from local restaurants or homemade by my NCL class, and have a variety of things for the kids to do, like coloring, water guns,

My Sophomore year I wanted to do something more, push myself for something greater, so I auditioned for Winter Guard leadership. Leadership was a path that I originally did not see myself taking but through the support of my team members, instructor, and band director I found it was another way to express my passion for guard. I became one of the few sophomore captains in Creekview High School’s history. I had no previous leadership experience and I was young

From the day we’re in our mother's stomachs, to the day we die, we have always been listening to music. For me, listening to music all my life helped me develop a passion for it. When I was around the age of 6 my dad introduced me into the world of Rock. The very first band I remember listening to was System of a Down and ever since then, I fell in love with rock music and all its possible variations; for a long time this was all I listened to. It wasn’t until high school that I started listening to all sorts of genres and realized that I wanted to have a career in the music industry. That's when I learned about producing music.

I chose to join show choir because I thought it would be a good way for me to leave my comfort zone and try something new and fun. The first time I thought of auditioning for show choir was when I saw them perform during my sophomore year. They sang and danced to a song titled, "Till the Love Runs Out" and the sound and choreography they did just blew me away. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of that choir.

1. Thirty pounds of metal resting on my left shoulder, I marched for hours in the blistering hot sun. The sousaphone was my greatest enemy. In 6th grade I was chosen to play tuba for our middle school band, I didn't like it at first, but it grew on me. Two years later, I had gotten pretty good. I made all state band, won some awards, and was 1st chair. I had no intention in joining the marching band my freshman year.

In eighth grade I was first chair trumpet player for the J.A.M.S. band. I led the band in most songs and the band teacher made me feel like I was the best trumpet player ever. In eighth grade I was again accepted into a junior high honor band just as I had been in seventh grade. In eighth grade however I was not concerned about chair placements at the honor band as I had been in seventh grade. When I went to honor band in seventh grade I received a second chair placement. An eighth grader received first chair. Therefore, I thought I was almost guaranteed first chair as I was an eighth grader now so in my mind no one would beat me.

We were this close to being stripped of our "Undefeated" title. The band sat there in the bleachers, stunned as the announcer pulled up the scores and was ready to reveal first place. Blood rushed through my veins and the butterflies in my stomach were more active as ever. After all of our hard work, it would have been a shame if we did not conclude the season with a bang. The announcer raised her microphone and everything seemed to come to a halt.

Never in a day would I have dreamed of joining the marching band. As an eighth grader, the idea of joining the marching band sounded horrendous. I never imagined myself as that “nerd”. Now, today as a senior in high school, I am so glad that I made the spontaneous decision to join as marching band was a significant chapter of my life.

Marching Band has been a part of my life since I was about 9 years old. “I’m with the band” has been something I’ve said since I was in the fourth grade. In 2008, my band director, Mrs. Bollaro decided she would create a Pep Band, which soon turned into the ALJ Marching Band. My oldest brother, Eddie joined, and two years later, my other brother, Giulian joined. I was always mesmerized by the pretty flags and the spinning weapons, so it was not a surprise when I decided to join colorguard. When I finally made it to the eighth grade, I was allowed to join the colorguard. From the moment I knew what colorguard was, I wanted to be a part of it. My mom, and two of my aunts were in their high school colorguards, so being in colorguard meant more than just spinning. Joining marching band meant that I was following in my family traditions, and continuing what my family had started.

I have shown leadership throughout my time at Lincoln High School. When I was a trumpet section leader, I had to encourage the section to try their hardest and not give up halfway through the day. When our band director told us to run to our spots, I ran to my spot and encourage others that were lagging behind to hurry up. As a trumpet section leader, I encouraged others to memorize their music by being one of the first to complete all my music memorization tests. I show academic leadership by completing my assignments early.

The marching band has also felt like a home away from home. If I wasn’t at home with my parents, I was on the band field. While being in the marching band at my high school, my long-term goal was to become their drum major for my last two years. I wanted to be the drum major that would cause the band members to put every ounce of passion into performing the show. Once I decided this during my freshman year, I put my heart and soul into my band. I stepped up to any work my band director needed help with. Whether it was fundraising or running OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) events or lining the band field, I was there to show my band director I was ready to be a leader. My setback came when I didn't achieve section leader for the flutes