Personal Narrative: North Salem Wind Ensemble

One of my main passions in life is music. But I haven’t always been sure that music is the right choice for me. Multiple times since I picked up a clarinet for the first time in fifth grade, I have doubted that I should continue in my school's band program. It was challenging, time consuming, and after all, I didn’t want to play clarinet in the first place. I originally wanted to play the flute, but that dream was quickly shot down during my instrument fitting. It was suggested that I try my hand at clarinet since it appeared to come more naturally to me. So after some deliberation and coaxing from my family, I took the plunge. I had no way of knowing much of an impact that small decision would eventually make on my life.

For Joe, he had to constantly juggle many different things in his life. From abandonment to being poor and struggling to get by day by day during the Great Depression, he was still determined to see everything to the very end. He kept not only his academic grades up, but also his physical shape in order to continue being on the crew. It was his determination that lead him and his team to success in Berlin. This applies to my band class because it takes determination to be good at what you do-- be it handling an oar or playing an instrument. The same goes for being a part of a band and sounding good as a whole. This gives yet another reason why band students should read The Boys in the Boat. Being determined to practice and get better at what an individual or a group does opens up all sorts of opportunities in their lives, thus leaving doors open to success.

I grew up in a middle class family where both of my parents worked everyday of the week. My parents taught me to always be grateful for what I have and for the opportunities that I receive. When I was in high school, I tried out for the Districts in Band on my clarinet. I would practice everyday for two hours for five months in order to be prepared. There was so much build up before the audition that I was nervous and wanted to give up. Since my parents were paying for private lessons with my

On August 28th, my mother chanted so loud that I could hear her from outside of the house and I ran as fast as a cheetah trying to catch its prey because, after all, it was my goal worth chasing. I read the letter calmly, then jumped up, and touched the ceiling. “We hereby announce that Eugenia Trakal has been selected to participate in the EVYS Concert Orchestra.” My tears fell to the ground, my dad picked me up, and threw as high as the sky. My family was vastly proud of me and, in my perspective, hard work really does pay off and the only way you succeed is to first feel confused but then start committing and striving for what you

Throughout my life, I have been taken by music. However, it was not until my 8th grade year in middle school that I realized that I could be a musician for the rest of my life. Before that, music just seemed like something to keep me out of trouble. I wasn’t the best player at that time, and I still knew very little about it all. How could something like that ever support someone? Still, it was the only talent that I could find any success in, and it was still very enjoyable, so I wanted to still give it a shot.

    On Friday, October twenty-second, Simi Valley High School had their fall concert, however, they only had two bands so there was not much to write about. The concert band opened up with, Apparitions, by Brian Balmages, which was a song with a very mysterious intro with the percussion. The song is later developed into a soprano winds melody which was very well balanced with its counter and support. Unfortunately before a very beautiful, yet eerie flute solo they were somewhat out of tune, and during it, the flutes were talking to each other. Later, the soprano melody turns into a brass dominated scene, with the trumpets being slightly too loud and overtaking the rest of the band. Overall, the piece was very well executed with great attacks, releases, and flow. However there was little to no vibrato in the song. After that song, The Magician's Secret, by Joseph Eidson was stated by a flute squeak, but evens out into a nice jumpy beginning. Throughout the many brass and high winds chords, they were mostly out of tune, but the pulsing and tempo was very well done and controlled which gave the theme of smoothness and elegance. While the band was going great with strong and obvious dynamics, one of the trumpets messed up and showed it. Luckily, a great story of adventure and curiosity manage to cover him up and retain the moving melody. As the song ended, I personally felt the end was a bit too staccato and the overall song had no

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.

I came to realize that playing music can bring someone great fortune. I had no plans for the future, no goals, nor dreams before I starting my path in music. I never wondered without direction. But one day, good fortune came to me. A fortune I would have never of thought of. It was The Gracias choir and music. I was thinking to myself “I have never been so happy nor have I had so much enjoyment to live. To have an open mind to people around the world by delivering my heart threw my music. It looks like a dream!"

It was the end of sophomore year when it became a lot more apparent however. It was the day after band auditions when I received a call from one of my best friends. I had really worked hard on my audition and I was kind of excited to get the results back. Anyways my friend called me back and told me that I was first chair Wind Ensemble. I thought she was joking but she assured me it was true. I was second chair in the 4th band so I would’ve had to go past 5 people for that spot. As I got there I looked on the list and saw that it was true. I was dumbfounded and I thought it was an error but to my relief and happiness it wasn’t. After that I gained a ton of confidence and I continued to push to be better and better through my junior year. I was such a strong player that they announced that there would be a bass clarinet solo in the show. When I got the solo I finally really knew that I was strong person and that I could do really impressive things when I put my mind to them. Finally, this experience definitely gave me a ton of motivation to continue working off of in the

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.

Underneath the sound of my voice is a song, “Seminole Wind.” If I still myself long enough to stop bringing my own voice and words to life, the song gives me images. The scenery that unfolds in my mind’s eye belongs to the memories of a young girl, who was so confused.

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.

I have always tried to challenge myself with new experiences to help me improve my horn playing and musicianship. Since middle school, I have participated in my district honor band as well as my Allstate band, consistently getting first chair. Besides continuing my participation in the district honor band and Allstate band for high school, I also became a part of the district symphony orchestra and Allstate orchestra. I also auditioned and became a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra my freshman year in high school. It was in this prestigious orchestra where I was exposed to amazing teachers from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, some of the highest caliber high school horn players, and best peer mentors I know to this day. I auditioned

As time went on I kept playing and challenging for higher chairs. I didn’t always win but when I lost it showed me how I could improve. I kept playing and playing and the songs got harder and harder, but I got better and better. I kept playing until the end of the year when my mom asked me if i was going to do orchestra again next year and I looked up and simply said duh.

Outside of school I play the guitar, recently began the viola, watch anime and read books. I’ve recently began practicing viola. When I return home from a busy day at school I warm up for ten minutes then practice what I’ve learned in school and songs I enjoy listening to on a regular basis. For example there is a song called “To Zanarkand” that I have been practicing. I enjoy this song because it is hard to play but once you succeed it is very rewarding because it sounds beautiful. Being in practice of this hard song helped me appreciate other artists and the time and commitment they put into their pieces. Practicing my instrument continuously has helped me improve greatly from where I began. I previously used to constantly screech and underperform