Personal Narrative-Marching 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

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

As a High School Senior, I can look back and say that marching band requires as much effort as any sport. Spending hours in the blazing hot sun learning how to keep your knee up high and march correctly.  Spending twice as long in the band room playing the same song over and over until  it's right and until you memorize it as your teeth hurts and lips become numb. Learning how to push, how to chant, march high, and give it all you got when you think there's nothing left. It requires you to expect more of yourself, to want to do well and succeed.

Memories began to race through my mind as I started to look back at the time when I first joined the marching band. Coming into high school, I was not reluctant to try out new things, and marching band was an activity that would allow me to open myself up to others and develop a strong sense

When I joined as an eighth grader, I did not have many friends, so marching band meant that I would be able to make new friends who accepted and shared my interests. Rehearsals were a place where I would be spending time with my second family. Through long, waterless hours on the field, friendships formed, and grew stronger the longer we spent together practicing. Marching Band gave me a place where I could feel comfortable, and a sense of acceptance what I never really got during my childhood. When things got hard, colorguard and my instructor, Jen, helped me get through the difficult parts of my

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

Ever since my older sister, Molly, had gotten into our high school’s marching band I have longed to join; that was almost 3 years ago. As the years went on I went into middle school and started my band life there. I went to 6th grade as a new percussionist. I wasn’t the most social person so playing in front of people soon became the main worry. I would deal with this difficulty all of middle school. But I learned to overcome it at my tryouts for the marching band.

I remember walking into the band hall that Monday morning, looking around the room admiring all the tambourines and xylophones displayed in the back of the room. A wide grin shot across my face. As I came to my seat, there was a paper that had my name on it. On the paper it had a little section that said “Please write down the instrument you want to play.” Instantly, I knew what I had wanted to play, the trombone. The reason I picked the trombone is because I remember watching my brother marching on the field, playing his solo so beautifully. I knew from then I knew what I wanted to play. So a

I had already been a clarinet player three years prior from joining marching band, so I had to use my credibility as a competent player to show my directors that I could be trusted with the higher level music being given and anything else they throw at me. The directors decision to move me up to the advanced band class and had me learn

On that first Friday, I wore my cheer uniform proudly to school, excited for my first game. Eighth period band came around and I sat in my seat to get my music out, ignoring the stares coming from all around me. Mrs. K, the assistant Band Director was standing on the podium in front of me. She said, "Wow we have a cheerleader in band, that's a first!" I was mortified. After class when I was putting my flute in my locker, I overheard Kenny, a band student say, "I didn't know cheerleaders could possess the mental capacity to read music."

My past has had lots of good times and has had some down right shitty a.f. times. But it’s in the past, so I’ll try not bringing up those memories. So let’s start in the beginning. It was 6:00am at Hamot hospital in Erie,PA, and all of a suddenly you here a huge “OOOUUUCCCHHH!!!!!!!!!”, then badabing badaboom it was 6:01am and I was born. Apparently when I was born I was very yellow looking. Nothing was wrong with me I was just born yellow. After a couple months I started growing out of it, and eventually turned the color I am now, which after lots of discussion and debates with people it has been determined that I’m almost the inside of an almond color. Anyway, after the hospital I lived with my Mom and my Grandmother at her old house in Erie.

I hope you are doing well! I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I had a lot going on last week and I am just getting caught up. We would love to have you as a member of the church orchestra! We meet on Tuesday nights at 6:30 in the choir room. Currently, I do not have access to a tuba, but I could recommend some places where you could rent one. Please let me know if you have any questions,

My instrument is the clarinet; I started playing in the sixth grade and since then I've worked my way up to first chair in wind ensemble. Influenced to stand with it by alluring sounds and the delight I encounter while creating music, but likewise because I enjoy working together with others. Junior year I became Asst. head drum major and through arduous drive I advanced to Head drum major my senior

I first started playing trombone in 6th grade at Avon Intermediate School West. Since then I have grown to love the trombone and all low brass as now my main instrument is bass trombone but I also play euphonium. Once I entered Avon High School I joined the marching band. In the marching band I have competed at grand national championships finals multiple times. I have also won three state titles in the marching band. Another special moment I had at Avon was performing at the Midwest Clinic with the brass choir. The teachers at Avon have helped me progress so much not only as a player, but as a person. They taught me the values of hard work and how success will follow a good work ethic. Outside of Avon I have performed in the Indianapolis Symphony