Personal Narrative: My Band At Mason City High School

As with most kids, I was a bit nervous about my transition from middle school to high school. One advantage I had was that I participated in band in middle school and planned to be in the band in high school. The Round Rock High School band has a history of excellence and I was looking forward to being a part of that organization. This was an extraordinary time and I looked forward to being a part of the band with great anticipation. Being a part of an organization such as this makes the transition to high school seem much easier and it seemed I had a ready-made group of friends that I could rely on and ask questions of if necessary. After all, the Round Rock High School Band has over 300 members.

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

This year I am participating in the Area West Elementary Enrichment Band where I play the clarinet. I am proud of this because it is a large achievement in my passion, music. In grade 6 I was first introduced to the clarinet and instantly fell in love with it. Today I continue to play the same instrument. In Enrichment Band, I get to meet and play alongside other musicians who have the same passion and drive for music that I do. I also get to seek further learning opportunities within the band, such as the mc script I have received for the upcoming concert. Overall, the band is an excellent learning opportunity and I am truly privileged to have that opportunity available to me.

In high school I was involved in marching band in the Fall and concert band in the spring. I achieved coming in being last chair trombone, thinking I would never be good enough to play

To me JSU honor band is like no other thing I have ever seen. The most amazement I have ever had in a true feeling is, seeing that people from other bands from all over the state can come together to make something great. Six of my seven times going there was because of my brother. That was nothing fun as all I could do was sit in a nasty dorm room. Then finally, Saturday rolls around. Saturday you get to hear all the bands and all the work in just three days. My favorite time was me getting to go as a seventh grader.

I stood on the podium, looking out at the field and took a deep breath. The fans in the stands behind me were a buzz in my ears as I made eye contact with every member of the band. I held my hands up and clapped three times and then SNAP! The instruments were up and I counted off, starting our first marching band show of the season.

When I came to Highlands Ranch High School as a freshman, I didn’t know where I belonged. I had done soccer, but a concussion and several headaches later, decided it wasn’t for me. I had tried fully devoting myself to academics, but later realized that I can’t spend my life focusing on grades. I didn’t have anywhere to belong. Then, in the winter of my freshman year, I was persuaded into doing winter percussion. I had never played an instrument before and had absolutely no idea what was going on. I didn’t even really know what a quarter note was, no less how to count them. My freshman self was totally clueless and wanted to quit at first because I was so bad and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. But, I stuck with it to the end of the winter percussion season and when we took second place in the state suddenly all the long hours of rehearsal and constant changes were totally worth it.

Whether I play the jazz, classical, or the melodious ruckus of the marching band, the alto saxophone is how I reimbursed myself of my stress and anxiety with an indescribable feeling nobody but a musician can understand. This feeling is comprised of two parts: the playing and the team. While the playing produces a euphony that leaves you anticipating every breath you huff into your horn and dances out the bell, the team is my favorite part. Never have I anticipated or desired to be first chair, because I had always known that the second chair is the best. Despite the first chair getting all the glory, without the warm, complementary tones of the second part, the first, and even the band, could never achieve the beautiful potential it has. Together,

As a kid who wasn’t very athletic or artistic, my options for clubs and classes was kind of slim. So, naturally, I turned to music. I had joined my elementary school’s band in 6th grade, my only obstacle was to choose which instrument to play. I was caught between an alto saxophone and a flute, two completely different instruments, and I of course chose the one more difficult to carry. When I started my saxophone career it felt like more of a chore to practice than it was enjoyable. Soon enough, I started to practice on my own instead of having to be told to do so. I have now been playing the saxophone for 5 years, falling in love with it as the years went by. My favorite music to play on the saxophone is jazz, the energetic feel to it makes it interesting to play and listen to. This instrument has brought me a lot of good memories, I can’t wait to see what else it has in store for my future. I’m almost glad that I wasn’t athletic enough to make any of the teams, because if I would have I wouldn’t have picked up a saxophone.

I'm finally graduating from Forest Hills High School. I’m in the music program and perform as an alto in a concert choir. My high school choir teachers have helped me become a better performer and more confident when performing in front of the audience throughout my high school years. Ever since I was in middle school, I've always been curious about experiencing new genres of music such as classical Pop, Rap and Jazz. In my family, we love spreading our culture's music while experiencing new music from other Hispanic cultures such as bachata salsa, cumbia, and cubano.

Piccolo was presented to me freshman year because my band director needed a piccolo player and I was the only one who had any prior experience. I joined drum line last summer because I was asked by some of the former and current members to join and along with a few new members- all of whom shared the same image of being in another group. Finally, I joined jazz band at the beginning of my junior year because myself and a few other flute players were interested in joining the group, much to the surprise of our band director. We were able to expand the jazz band to originally having two saxophones to having seven saxophones and have an outstanding Swing into Spring, a yearly dinner and dance event to showcase the jazz and orchestra program.

Freshman year me really, really wanted to make District band. In middle of August, 2014, the etude for my audition almost four months away

I never really knew how I felt about starting high school. While I was so nervous and dreading the new environment. Also, I don’t know how to open up to new people. By the time, I thought I am going to fall into a big hole and never get out of it. However, the time has gone by so fast, I did not realize that I have so many friends. I’d give to an incoming San Marcos High School freshman some advices from own experience that I gained during the start of school are as follows. First thing, you need to remind yourself, you aren’t alone because there are hundreds of teens experiencing what you are experiencing this very moment ! Next, don’t be afraid to make new friends. There are many people who share the same interests as you and are seeking

Not even a year ago I had one of the best experiences of my life. It was our 8th grade band trip to Chicago, and it was amazing. Not only did I become more independent, but I learned a lot as well. All kinds of things happened; we argued, went to concerts and museums, and most importantly; had a blast. I had been looking forward to this since 6th grade, and now the trip has been reduced to memories that I wouldn’t give up for the world.

I first joined the band in the fourth grade playing the drums. I played for about two weeks then I quit because I didn't like it, mostly because of the teacher. In the sixth grade we got a new music teacher and told me I look like a trumpet player, so I gave it a try. I was taking music lessons but after the first one my music teacher told me she had to leave because she