Personal Narrative: Marching Band

Through music, many paths are able to come together. Although we come from different backgrounds, we are able to bond over the wonderful gift of music. The connection we have through music makes participating in the band program the most meaningful activity for me. The band program opened up my horizon and made me feel like I finally belonged somewhere. The diversity of the people in the program taught me how to be versatile. The age range amongst the members vary in which in one moment you have to respect and listen to who is in charge, then the next moment your peers are waiting for your orders. Learning to respect and handle being respected is an important lesson I am still learning. The position of power is something that should not go

Band camp began two weeks before the school year started. The director mailed all the band members the music they were required to learn. However, I ignored the mail and didn’t bother touching my trumpet or learning the music. I dreaded going to band camp the entire summer, but the day finally arrived when I was forced to go. My parents dropped me off at Niwot, I walked into the school, and lethargically headed straight to the band

This is Faith Cox and welcome to my section leader essay. As you may know, I am now a junior in the Lewisburg band program and maintain the position of second chair in the French horn section. Last year I applied as a sophomore, and I can confidently say I have not only gathered more experience over the past year, but I have also become even more passionate about band. That passion has led me to once again apply for section leader. However, this time I am much more matured as a musician, and I am eager to see my section succeed as they have in the past and help them in any way they may need.

Being involved in several activities at Skutt Catholic aspire and motivate me to reach and strife for success and accomplishment. A prime example of my accomplishments are shown in the band program. My commitment and passion for band goes deep within the band program. I strictly practice self discipline of constant repetition and long dedicated practices in order to receive superiors in districts and an alternate position in the Nebraska Allstate band my sophomore year. As a the drum major of the marching band I had to uphold several leadership skills that require essential attribute to the position. These essential attributes include excellent musical, marching, organizational, and communication skills, as well as a servant-leader attitude. Being the leader of the band demands that I become the best role model I can be for upperclassmen. For instance I am the first to arrive and leave at practices, I must always maintain a positive attitude at all times, and to humbly go the extra mile to serve the band. Another activity that symbolizes my character was football. Football was both a mental and physical struggle, but what truly motivated me to strap on the green and black helmet everyday was my deep respect for my loyal teammates and legacy of the football program built at Skutt Catholic. During

During Senior year’s marching season, I was given two leadership positions. Section leader of the french horn section as well as Hornline Captain for the whole entire wind ensemble. I had many responsibilities and obligations to fill with both positions. With time,patience, and much failure I was able to rise to the challenge.

About three weeks into marching season, a spot opened up. Of course, I had to audition for the spot with the other alternates, but I was successful in winning a marching spot at that time and have never lost it. I also worked hard on becoming a better musician. I drastically increased my practice time and was fortunate enough to be able to hire a private tutor to improve my musical abilities. Now in my senior year I am in the top band and I am on the varsity marching squad. I have even obtained a leadership role in the band as a rank leader. As a rank leader I am a mentor and coach for several other students in the marching band. I really feel like I am providing these student the same thing that Zack Santos provided for me. It makes me feel good that I am assisting other kids in achieving their

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.

Of all the things I’ve ever experienced, being in the Blanche Ely Marching Band was the most meaningful. Growing up I couldn’t fathom the value of life’s intangible things, but my perspicacity grew when I made the decision to stay in the band. The most important lessons I learned while being in the band would be: the importance of resilience,

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

All I have lived for this autumn was watching you grow in ways that nobody had ever expected. You may never understand how many expectations you surpassed or how many limits you broke. You grabbed each possibility for success by its handle and ran with them. As you look back on these past six months, I hope you realize your hard work was appreciated. All the blood, sweat, frustration, joy, and tears that were poured into every rehearsal, competition, and after hours have made this program into what it is. Without your dedication, sassy remarks, and strong leadership, the Alta Marching Band would not be what it is.

When I was in marching band finding my identity was one of the hardest things that I had to do. It took me to my senior year to fully understand what it meant to fully identify myself as a member of the Titan Regiment. What made me understand that I was a member because of recognition that I received in my last two years? Having the honor to lead my saxophone section in marching band and to be an inspirational figure to them recognized me. When this happened, it confirmed to me that I was really a member of the Titan regiment. This community defined me because it's built on top of my leadership skills that I currently had and it also help me to make more mature decisions as I got older. This experience did that by challenging me

I had been in band for about two years and today was the day Mr. Heggins would put us to the test that determined if he would let us try out for honor band or not. I was excited, but also very fearful. What if I didn’t do well and had to hear him say “maybe next time” I was tired of hearing that. I had worked so hard and I just wanted a chance to audition. To be able to audition for honor band would be great, just a chance, and if I didn’t make it, there was always next year, I just wanted to try.

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.

Finally it came to this year, my third year in band. Most of the people I had looked up to were gone and had graduated school. It was different not seeing those people, the people that I had spent two years with, it made me feel upset sometimes. We had two new people who took their roles as leaders in our section. There was our center marimba and our section leader, who played the Synth. Our center marimba was very quiet, but sometimes he had the ability to speak up; and our section leader, the synth, seemed like a section leader at times, so that was a nice breath of fresh

Sophomore year of marching came. This year was a surprise for everyone. With our show being named ‘Masterminder.’ The band members marching were under control by the color guard soloist; the puppeteer. This show was pretty exciting, too. The judges also thought that. We made it past regionals AND semi-state. What? Yeah, we all thought the same thing. We had made it. We had FINALLY made it after so many years of just trying to get past regionals for once. It was a bitter-sweet feeling waiting for placement awards at Lucas Oil Stadium. The instructors went around to each band student one by one. The congratulated us on an amazing season. I started tearing up, but that isn’t surprising. As we marched our way out of Lucas Oil Stadium that night, I knew that this was only the beginning of a new generation for the Marching Marksmen.