Personal Narrative: The Music Community

It was early in the morning the sun rose and the birds chirped as we headed east, I visualized every move I made and observed my surroundings. As we continued our search for food, I recognized a voice that did not belong there. Slowly making my way out of the woods, I noticed that these people were not alike from us. They spoke and dressed a different ways from ours. I was not sure who they were, though it was a bit extraordinary to have received people down here. I headed back to my tribe and informed them what I had seen. They seemed to be fine with it, although they were unsure of what they had came for. Days had passed and yet there was still no sign of these people leaving our home. At the time we thought it wouldn’t be a problem however,

I sat on my bed with my arms wrapped tightly around my pillow swaying back and forth. My mom lightly knocked on my door and asked if she could come in. I tried to wipe away the stains left by my long stream of tears, but I felt my skin sting and eyes swell instead. She asked if I wanted to talk about it, but my response got stuck in my throat, so all I could do was shake my head and shove my head deep inside my pillow. Her bare feet smacked on the concrete as she made her way over to my bed. Her weight made an indent in the corner of my mattress as she sat down and laid a hand on my back.

The concept of music has been a fascinating topic for me since I was able to sing along to Hannah Montana and High School Musical, and maybe even before that. It’s the one thing that has stayed consistent for me since day one. When I was struggling to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be, my mind went blank. I wasn’t involved in any sport or hobby, and I didn’t enjoy much, not even the security of my own bedroom. For a long time, I felt lost. When I was given the option to learn an instrument in middle school, it didn’t occur to me that I was going to change my perspective on life or that I finally found something that I belonged in. It was a matter of time before I realized exactly what I had done.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when there is a fork in the road and we must

The events that took place on June 1st, 2013 is almost a blur, although, the sensation has always been ever so clear to me. I felt alive. I felt enchanted. And I felt wanted. Almost every little problem vanished for that one specific night. Who would’ve thought a single person can make you feel invincible? Cristian, was nearly the opposite the person I was. He was true rock and roll, and I was merely the product of the mainstream rock phenomena. He almost seemed very opinionated as I had always kept to myself, It was odd and a little unexpected. Although we both are very timid from the naked eye, to my surprise he was actually very witty and humorous. One lonely night at a park was the beginning of a very long and faithful friendship.

Once you spend a lot of time with friends, there comes a point where they are no longer just your friends. They’re your family. I have spent years in the Marching Band Color Guard, girls have come and gone, but our team was always strong. My second year on the team we got the chance of a lifetime. We got the opportunity to march in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. With this opportunity at hand, many extra practices added to our schedule. We practiced every Saturday from 9 in the morning to 9 at night. We were practicing in freezing cold weather, spinning and dancing, freezing our hands off in order to get good.

I am a singer.  Even though in High School I was not the lead in the Spring Musical, or the recipient of the coveted "Chorus Award" every year, that never kept me in the background. I began sending my demo to anyone who would listen, and after a handful of "No's," I got a "Yes."  Yet, the rejection only made me work harder, and rigorously hone my voice in the months to follow. I relate to anyone who has ever felt out casted or left out, and I will work tirelessly to make sure every student feels accepted, and appreciated for their talents, regardless of what it is or how "loud" it may be. In times when conformity tempts your insecurities, Dr. Suess once said,"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those

I cannot begin to fathom what these whippersnappers are doing these days. This “technology” has absolutely engulfed them like a famished vacuum cleaner. Before you know it, we’ll be walking around with mindless robots that have no heart or drive to work. Then there is the music, goodness me the music is just as horrid as they are. God forgive me for judging this generation, but I write what my eyes have seen and my ears have heard. Back in the day, our music was not blasting with profanity; at least I believe so? The technology we grew up with was more sanitary than what it is now. At the very least, it did not have us sitting at home like an innocent sheep in a field, waiting to be devoured by wolves. For some profound reason now one can

Whether you play a musical instrument, or listen to it, it can have great influence in how a person can learn like a song to help them learn a certain order of words for a test. Mary points out that learning how to play music isn’t easy. However, after a student learns how to play, it usually brings joy to the individual and the people around them. Some tests have shown that students who have music in their lives do better academically. Students once again apply the elements of self-control and discipline into other classes. Music can affect a student’s social stand point as well. Music connects individuals, groups and even also connects countries. There are organizations that take students worldwide to share music. In sum music plays a key role not only in education, but in strengthening soul and emotional bonds amongst people in general. Music has integrated itself into the human life so much that it is imperative for us to survive because of the mind-set, relief it brings, and the spiritual side to it.

Participants completed questionnaires on their psychological needs of autonomy and competence before and after community music participation. The authors chose the validated CASP-12 scale by health, aging, and retirement that examined three reasons participants joined (1) positive attitude of singing, (2) convenience, and (3) social connectedness. Of the 500 participants, 398 (80%) participated in music making whereas 102 (20%) participated in language groups, book groups, yoga groups, and social groups. Self-rated music skills were 29% beginners, 40% intermediate, 28% advanced, 4% expert. Data was analyzed by the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method. CASP-12 scale compared musicians with non-musicians, which showed statistically significant differences in control and pleasure but no differences in autonomy and self-realization. The Basic Needs Satisfaction Scale (i.e., control, autonomy, and relatedness) also compared musicians with non-musicians but there were no statistically significant differences on autonomy or competence; however, musicians scored higher on relatedness. Age ranges were from 43 to 93 years; and gender was 81% females and 19% males. Researchers reported music making improved mental health, physical health,

I was enrolled in a Music Appreciation class over the summer and had a final grade of a 97. The first semester of school I was enrolled in American History; Found Principles, Civics and Economics Honors (90), Symphonic Band (100), Honors Biology (94) and Microsoft Word and Powerpoint (96). During second semester I have been enrolled in North Carolina Math II Honors (90), Symphonic Band (100), Health Science I (96) and Honors English II

During my sit-in with the grade five class, students were working on their recorder skills. I noticed how all of the students were working on their individual musical skills to then practice a composition together, as a form of unity. I observed students who normally aren’t fully engaged in classroom work showing focus and enjoyment in their musical learning. Each student presented a different skill level with their recorder, however, when they all played together, the whole piece came together.

This was a topic I was very nervous to talk about. Rock bands, punk rock, post hardcore and so many other types of alternative music aren’t always liked by everyone. So this is me getting out of my comfort zone and just telling everyone the day that bands changed my life. So hold on to something because this is about to get good.

I was unable to attend a live concert for my report so I choose a concert from online. I choose a piece composed by one of my favorite composers from this class, Giuseppe Verdi. In Listening to Music, Craig Wright describes Verdi as a classic Italian opera composer of the 19th century and one of the most famous (pg.289). This particular piece is entitled Aida and was performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The video of the concert was published on February 8, 2015 and consist of four acts. The performers of the piece included a conductor named Duncan Riddell and an orchestra called the Royal Philharmonic. The concert also had characters signings vocals throughout the entire performance. Aidia was played by Claire Rutter, Radames by

I could tell a story about how music has shaped my life and has became a necessity in my life. I could explain the importance of my religion and how it has transformed me into a better person. I could mention the fact that I have ADD and because of that I learned how to work hard. I could express my love of cooking, adventure, travel, literature, nutrition, and science, and the list could continue. However, I will not use any of those ideas that have been overused, I shall a tell of what some people may think to be an idea of make believe, but for me is a reality: superpowers. I happen to be gifted with the talent of being a Psychic, and i am especially lucky with the fact that this gene is recessive and both my parents have the non superpower dominant gene. The only downfall to this is knowing that other