Personal Narrative: The Failure Of Becoming Drum Major

A Drum Major is a positive role-model; someone who others can look to as an enthusiastic and dedicated example. A Drum Major ultimately leads the band, and does so energetically and humbly. Respecting those around you and gaining the respect and trust of peers is essential. As Drum Major, one is expected to treat others with kindness and integrity. A Drum Major is someone who is fully involved and invested in their band and peers, and is someone who works to serve others. As a Drum Major, one must put the band first and support those around him or her. Effective communication skills are imperative, as a drum major must have an effective voice, yet also be an effective listener. A Drum Major

As my high school years come to an end, I've realized something about myself. Since I stepped foot in this school as an up and coming freshman I've noticed that the drum major truly captured my attention. It was like when little kids see someone cool on tv and think, “When I grow up, I'll be exactly like them.” That's exactly how I felt, when I became a senior I wanted to be that person. Finally the time has come for me to show that I am capable of being the best drum major Orland has ever seen.

During my junior year, all high school students of the Coachella Valley were given the opportunity to audition for the All Coachella Valley Honor Band, with a guest conductor H. Robert Reynolds. This was a significant educational opportunity I took advantage of. The audition consisted of a couple of scales, and excerpts from the music that was going to be performed on the day of the concert. When the day came I sat in front of the judge with my music and clarinet, where my nerves began to rise. Before I began to play my heart began to pound along with my hands beginning to sweat. Throughout my audition I had a few mistakes,but I stayed persistent and completed my audition. After I finished my audition, the judge said I had done great, I was

I have played trumpet since I was in the fourth grade -- that makes a grand total of 8 years. I had always taken private lesson and taken a keen interest in perfecting the instrument. At the beginning of high school, I decided to switch teachers and start working towards the district band audition. Just like with everything else I do, I was going to put all my effort into making district band. To be honest, I did not think I was going to make district band freshman year of high school simply because it was my first time auditioning. But when it was all said and done, I received a spot in the district band ensemble. It was the best musical experience I have ever had. I have never heard so many great musicians together before, and to be a part of it was absolutely incredible. I knew that I had to do anything I could to be a part of this group year

As I sat down in a room with my favorite drummer, Rhett Noland, I had pre existing thoughts I would learn new drum skills, hear about tour life, and get advice about performing. Instead, all those things were blown out the window. What I aquired from this classroom was more important to me than any rudiment or drum fill, or any advice someone else could have given me. What I learned in this classroom in a sense “woke me up” and gave me a realization about what I am here on Earth for. Rhett told me about how he used to be an alcoholic. How he used to not even be able to go to work without a drink. How destructive drinking was. How miserable he was. There was a paradigm shift in the room immediately after he told us that now, he had been sober for 23 months.

My sophomore year I tried out just to go through the process and be prepared, but my junior year I tried out for real. I was trying out as a minority. I was the youngest junior on the line, now the only girl on the line, and I had been on snare the least amount of everyone else on snare. After a week had gone by, we had our band banquet. During the banquet they would announce all of the new section leaders. They took us into the hall and I was told I was the new section leader for the drumline. This role is held very high in the Northgate Marching Band, because if you hold this position, you are a leader of the band. Now that I had the title I needed to accomplish one more thing. In drumline we have a center snare. The center snare is the most advanced player on the line, they count off all the exercises and they are the person you listen to when playing. Our audition process was intense, because again I was the one with the least experience on snare. I absorbed every piece of criticism I received and I applied every fix to better myself as a

For the 2017-2018 SIHS marching band season, I am applying for the position of Drum Major. I am choosing to do so because I believe I am a strong and competitive candidate for multiple reasons. Something I think is very valuable in considering someone for a leadership role is their determination. In marching band, giving up is never an option no matter how hard things are. When you’re in charge of the entire band you can't give up because everyone's leaning back and relying on you.

I auditioned for my school's play Harvey freshman year. I worked intensively on my audition. Anticipation flooded my body when I heard the cast list was posted in auditorium days after the auditions. Immediately after my last period class, I dashed to the auditorium to look at the list and see what part I got. I scrutinized the list multiple times and didn't see my name. I felt incredible sadness, disappointment and embarrassment, but figured the director decided this because I was a freshman and did not know the school very well, and the upperclassmen were more experienced and deserving than I. So, I accepted my failure and decided to try again next year.

I knew the music was tough, but that was just what I wanted for myself. I practiced a piece and some scales. I did a live audition, made it in, and am extremely proud of myself. Another example is when I wanted to get into CMU’s honors band. I re-recorded my audition tape until I got it perfect, and submitted it with confidence.

We were this close to being stripped of our "Undefeated" title. The band sat there in the bleachers, stunned as the announcer pulled up the scores and was ready to reveal first place. Blood rushed through my veins and the butterflies in my stomach were more active as ever. After all of our hard work, it would have been a shame if we did not conclude the season with a bang. The announcer raised her microphone and everything seemed to come to a halt.

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

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.

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.

I came into my audition only auditioning for the ensemble, leaving the audition I ended up receiving the titular role of Pippin. There was also a dance audition, where we were asked to learn the choreography to All that Jazz from the musical Chicago, this was a challenging experience because I have had no professional dance training but I ended up doing very well and responding well to the choreographer and her teachings. This whole process helped me to develop my confidence and social skills. The auditions were the most like professional auditions I’ve ever attended, and therefore allowed me to better understand what the real musical theatre industry is like and give me a taste of what it would be like if I continued onto large productions. I was very lucky to receive the lead role, as I didn’t even audition for it, despite not seeing this at the time. There was a long break between auditions and the beginning of rehearsals, almost three weeks. This seemed like a very long period of time due to not being able to tell any of my fellow cast mates that I had received a

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.