Personal Narrative: Leadership In The Band

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.

In hindsight, I have come a long way since my first day of band. There have been many friends, many failures, many victories, and many beautiful moments in the wake of my fateful decision in sixth grade. I can say without a doubt that being in band has strengthened my integrity and provided me with memories that I will cherish throughout the remainder of my

When I joined marching band in my freshman year of high school, I felt nervous and reluctant about joining because I questioned my abilities. However, I decided to commit myself to it so that I would know if it was something meant for me to pursue in the future. On the first day, I was overwhelmed with the many people who I did not recognize, and I started to feel as if I should never have come. Things began to change for me when I met an upperclassman named Sophie, who was my flute section leader. She was kind to everyone and did not get upset if anyone made a mistake in the music or marching technique, but rather, she gave constructive criticism. Sophie was an amazing leader and musician, and she was, and still is, a role model to me. Without

When I entered High school it was a completely different experience. I used to play sports, why was marching band so demanding of me? An immediate change was present in the level of musicianship needed to be recognized above the others. My band director’s name was Ms. Mello but she was beyond mellow when she was judging our musical capabilities. She was a great friend but would tear kids apart when it came to musicality or standing out of form in marching band. Luckily for me, I was one of the few middle school musicians who practiced somewhat in middle school. I was recognized as a great musician for a freshman in high school. During the concert band season, there were two bands. The advanced group, the wind ensemble, and the beginner group, the concert band. I admit that there was another freshman trumpet player who made the Wind Ensemble when I did not even bother to audition. In the concert group, I would advance far enough that the director trusted me to be the principal trumpet player, above the older musicians in my section. When sophomore year came around, I earned first part for marching band and I made my Wind

It was a great transition from Middle School to High School. I had a group of friends that I accepted me as one of their own. As the Marching seasons went by, I constantly improved my skills, and by my junior year, I was the section leader for the Sousaphones. In concert band, I continued my efforts to improve my skills. I joined the symphonic winds in my sophomore year and became first chair by the end of the year.

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

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”.

A leader is someone who is in charge, a person who convinces other people to follow and inspire an individual, and someone who is the principal performer in a section or group. But a great leader inspires confidence in other people and someone who look up to you with trust and honor. As a freshman this year, I am dedicated to become an assistant drum major for my sophomore year because I want to have the experience to be a better candidate and improve my leadership skills for my future. I remembered I entered marching band as an unconfident quiet person, but as I got more used to the marching band program, I noticed that I had built more courage and got more converse with my band family. I feel like I am capable for this position because I

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.

When I was younger, I always thought being a leader was all about telling people what to do. Glenwood taught me that was not the case at all. Here at Glenwood, I learned to lead by example. I am the battalion commander in our military program. When I teach our new students how to do a certain commander, I demonstrate it. When I have to teach them how to make their own bed I demonstrated it. Lead by example. I as well learned how to control my emotions and when I lead to lead with my head. All leaders are not perfect. It is not the mistakes that show me who I am, but I how I deal with

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

Throughout my life I have experienced many events that have changed my perspective on life. From life goals like receiving your first job or learning how to drive, each one is important in its own right. Ever since freshman year I have been a member of the Montour Spartan Marching Band as a flute player, and a lot has happened since the first time we marched onto the football field to perform our halftime show. Because of marching band I’ve learned to deal with and accept change and responsibility.

They had warned me it would be lots of after school rehearsals, clinics I would have to attend, and concerts I would have to attend as well. I told myself I could definitely do it. So I accepted the invitation and joined the top group. From being in the symphonic band my 7th and 8th grade year, I knew I had matured as a player tenfold. Then, high school came around. I told myself all the time that I would be the best one there as a freshman. Oh boy, was I wrong. When I went for freshman band camp in 2010, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. Learning to march in time with the band and having to memorize the music all at once, I told myself I was fool coming here. But the passion I had for music kept me going. So I suffered through band camp for 4 weeks in a row. Memorizing the music, marching and playing at the same time definitely made me mature as a

My senior year, I was team captain of the Lady Horns Volleyball team, and it is a year to remember. I will never forget that first game where our coach called me over for the coin toss. That moment I knew I had to be mature, and keep my head up because I was a leader for this team. It can be really difficult at times to keep your head up and stay pumped

You walk through the hallway at school being called names, being mocked, and getting laughed at. People hold their arms in positions to mock the way you play your horn. You get called “Band Nerd” or “Geek” or “Loser”, and the scrutiny is sometimes overbearing. But as you reach the end of the hallway, you meet your group of friends that have become like family to you. You’ve spent an unreasonable amount of time in the scorching heat together, and you’ve spent late nights on the bus playing games and falling asleep. You all learn from each other, teach each other, help each other, and become part of something bigger than yourself together. You become family. You are a band member. Do the people who