Personal Narrative: Marching Band And Wind Ensemble

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.

Imagine a third grader, small and blonde, standing on a stage that practically swallows her. She gazes in awe at the bright lights that seem to tower miles above her head; likewise, she follows with a stare, fixating on the hundreds of darkened faces that remain directly in front of her. Unlike her classmates who fidget with nerves beside her, she feels a rush of adrenaline. What may have seemed to some an ordinary choir concert in a dull auditorium, was, to me, a life changing moment. Ever since this day, for 9 years now, I have had an unwavering passion for music and performing. As I aged, I found myself excitedly learning how to play 7 new instruments, but even considering the vast number of bands, orchestras, choirs, and instrumental lessons that I joined, I noticed myself

When I first began playing the clarinet, eight years ago, I would have never expected it to impact my life in such a significant way, but it did and continues to each year. From the second that I picked up a clarinet and played a single note, I knew it was an experience like no other; music is a unique language, it speaks words that many can hear, and brings people of all races and religions together. Playing an instrument is a way of self-expression, both individually and as a group; bringing musicians together to create a work of art. I have experienced this throughout all eight years as a musician with students from my school, in both concert band and marching band, students from surrounding schools, during band fest, junior district band, and district band, as well as members of my church, at worship services. Music can bring the most unexpected

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

Music has always been integral in my life. During my childhood, when I was four years old, I pressed my fingers on an oven handle like a piano. Throughout my childhood years I listened to my mom’s old-school mix CD’s, along with the Pandora music app on my old Kindle. In fifth grade, I picked up the piano. My alto saxophone studies began in seventh grade. When high school arrived, I turned my focus to guitar and voice. The more knowledge I absorbed, the more knowledge I craved. My decision to pursue music was also influenced by the inspirations I’ve encountered on my journey so far.

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

Unquestionably, playing the trumpet in a diverse range of musical ensembles over the past nine years has led to experiences that have not only shaped me as a musician, but furthermore as a student and as an individual. As early as middle school “Black Dog Jazz Band,” I struggled with the confidence on center stage to perform solos, even with sheet music and the exact notes to be played. Progressing through high school, my skill and my perception were transformed, as improvising measures of music of my own creation were no longer a source of insecurity, but rather an opportunity to display my creative expression and capability as a musician. Fast and difficult chord changes and previously unheard melodies were now uniquely mine, and I perform with a self-assurance in my own interpretations. This composure stemming from years of soloing and jazz band undoubtedly seeped into my academic life, as the poise and self-assurance with which I similarly deliver oral presentations has been clearly and positively impacted.

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.

The summer of 2013 was both a time of celebration, as I had just graduated middle school, and a time of insecurities, as I started my journey as a member of my high school’s marching band. In middle school, I was normally a shy, quiet person, so it comes as no surprise that I felt uncomfortable at my first marching band practice. In addition, very few of my band friends in middle school had continued into high school marching band, creating a feeling of isolation over me.

I go to a lot of auditions. Last year, I went to seven. The year before it was five. They’re very important, because I need to get experience auditioning, and I look forward to receiving criticism for the adjudicators. However, one part of auditioning that I’m not used to is failure.

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.

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

The summer was approaching its end and it was time to go back school shopping. I was excited to go back to school to see my friends and get back to Marching Band. So on the last week of summer I went shopping on tax-free weekend with my Dad. First we went shopping for school supplies at Walmart. I got all of the necessities like pencils, paper, and binders. Then we went to the mall to look at some clothes. We were going to go to Lenox but it was getting late so we went to Stonecrest. When we got there I went straight to Foot Locker to see if they had the shoes that I had been wanting. As I approached the shoes, my jaws dropped because I could not believe that they were on sale! I thought that the shoes would be more money than that. I immediately

Bone-shaking anxiety filled the morning of my first day of high school. Coming from Christ the King, I had never had more than twelve kids in a class with me, and now I would have a minimum of twenty? That alone made me nervous, but I also had to walk through the dreaded Senior hallway to get to my Science class, and I was terrified at the thought of making my way through that maze of giants. However, everything went smoothly in those areas, and all that awaited me was the class that I feared the most: Concert Band I. It was one thing to walk through the hallway with upperclassmen, but now I had to be in a class with them. Needless to say, I was mortified until I walked into the room and the first sentence I heard was, “Hey Erik, welcome to