The phrase “Regan, stop singing” is almost a running joke in my family. I’ll hear it all day long whether I’m doing homework, driving, washing the dishes, or eating at the dinner table. Music has always come naturally to me, and there is nothing I love to do more than singing. Pre-school introduced me to making music, and elementary music reinforced my love. These early experiences with music provided a love for the art which continued into my junior high and high school choral careers. In high school, music has been my haven, my safe place. I go to the music as an emotional outlet; I work to bring it to life, to create something bigger from the notes on the page. I have learned so much about myself from my dedication to singing, it taught me that hard work and determination can get you anywhere in life, but more than that, I have learned that the music is part of what has shaped me this far. …show more content…
I want to teach young people about music, and help them bring it to life. I want to show them that music is a wonderful tool in the process of self discovery, and I see no better way to do that than through teaching music. I want to help high school students create beautiful music, show them the skills they learn in choir can be applied to the rest of their lives, and their lives will be much richer for it. A degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma would enable me to enrich the lives of students through music. This degree would allow me to further learn about music, choral and otherwise, and I would then be able to guide and help these students with expanded abilities and
Tanner started his freshman year playing in the second best orchestra of three in his school. Here, he excelled musically and made new friends with upperclassmen. By January, one of Tanner’s older friends had convinced him to join choir, so he decided to audition for the upcoming year. As a sophomore, Tanner sang bass in the top choir, even though he did not have any prior singing experience. The same year, he also auditioned into Symphonic Orchestra, the top orchestra of his school. While he was in both the top orchestra and choir, he started student conducting for the lower orchestras and choirs. By senior year, Tanner’s schedule was almost completely filled with music classes. Consequently, Tanner grew extremely close to his high school ensemble directors. It got the point where he could casually call his Symphonic Orchestra director “mom.” This inspired Tanner to make it a goal for himself to form strong relationships with his future students. Through his experiences conducting his high school orchestras, and choir, Tanner found that he really enjoyed teaching music and decided to study music
I grew up in Washington D.C with my dad’s recording studio in the basement. Day and night, I would hear the beats of R&B and jazz surfing up through the floorboards. My parent’s were always listening to everything from Motown to John Lennon, Broadway musicals to Otis Redding. I loved it all - Etta James, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, The Supremes, Elvis, Billie Holiday, musicals. To this day, those musicians inspire me. The second I knew that I had to be a singer was the day I fell madly in
Imagine a third grader, small and blonde, standing on a stage that practically swallows her. She gazes in awe at the bright lights that seem to tower miles above her head; likewise, she follows with a stare, fixating on the hundreds of darkened faces that remain directly in front of her. Unlike her classmates who fidget with nerves beside her, she feels a rush of adrenaline. What may have seemed to some an ordinary choir concert in a dull auditorium, was, to me, a life changing moment. Ever since this day, for 9 years now, I have had an unwavering passion for music and performing. As I aged, I found myself excitedly learning how to play 7 new instruments, but even considering the vast number of bands, orchestras, choirs, and instrumental lessons that I joined, I noticed myself
When I attended the Crane Youth Music Camp (CYM) in Potsdam, NY for the first time in 2012, I studied vocal performance only for the reason that I enjoyed singing as a hobby. I felt lost being in a camp filled with future music majors, because at the time I wanted to be an engineer. It was not until I returned to CYM in 2014, when playing guitar and singing with my new friends, that I had my first realization. If I wanted to be an engineer, I would be at a STEM camp, but I had chosen to return to music, a place where I would stay.
My life would be incomplete without performing music. I’ve spent time, in concert bands, in bell choirs, in school and church choirs, and singing, playing in music festivals, and in pit bands trying not to laugh my head off at the actors’ improvisations. But the art that truly speaks to my soul does not lie in creating music, it lies in dancing to it.
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.
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 hold two Educational Specialist Degrees. One is in Educational Leadership and the other is in Counselor Education and I have a Master of Science in Counselor Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling all from Jacksonville State University. Additionally, I have a Master of Music Education Degree from The University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education Degree from the University of West Georgia. Currently, I am an academic advisor and I have previously taught music appreciation courses for the Department of Arts and Sciences at West Georgia Technical College. Formerly, I was the Department Head for Fine Arts and Foreign Language at North Paulding High School, where I also served as the Founding
Dut, dut, dut, dut band ten hut!” To most people this may sound very silly, but to a music major it means a lot more than just a silly phrase. It means that you are at set and that you are ready to go both physically and mentally. When considering a career in being band director, a person must carefully look into the responsibilities this will entail, the skills one must have to succeed, plus other important aspects such as The University of Texas A&M Kingsville.
Studying “The Hero’s Journey” in English class reminded me about how our lives are shaped by our choices and how we choose to respond to what is out of our control. I was reminded about how small and almost insignificant the human race is when compared to the information we have about the Universe in astronomy class. Now I know what my dad always meant when he said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” During multi-cultural studies, I was reminded no matter how insignificant we may be in the long run, we are significant now and respect should be a birth right. I had multiple chances to observe teachers in the classroom during the early education courses and in addition to studies I also got to perform on my instruments! I performed on the flute in the school band, flute and base flute in three wind ensembles, and performed solos on the flute, piano and guitar. I have never been more proud of myself and confident in what I have to offer this world. I am a talented musician with a strong passion for sharing this art to children and being of guidance to them as they
Being a student who came from playing in a middle and high school music program, I believe that non-music majors and minors should be able to join the music ensembles that we have here and take classes on instrumentation. Learning how to play an instrument has been given the stereotype to help with schoolwork and can be beneficial to child development but during my objective essay, I saw how the music department involves children by teaching children how to play stringed instruments such as violin, viola, and double bass. While bringing in children is beneficial to their grow creatively, being able to do the same things as a college student can be calming and help students cope with the stress of school. While I looked for colleges that were
From Starting off with zero confidence and feeling like I didn’t belong, I have come a long way, most of that I owe to music. Choir is who I am, of the students here at PHS I fall under the category of “choir kid”, I am proud to wear that label. Along my way through choir, I have developed a love for fitness through choir. Some of the friends I have made through the years have been bodybuilders, they taught me to not care what others think of me, and if I did have a problem with what they thought, to prove them wrong, to show them that you can become. Music has made me into this person I want to be. I have found a true passion in music, choir has made me be into person I am. Its
Ever since my years in elementary school, I have had a love for music. This love developed in middle school where the notion of teaching music came to me. In high school, I knew the profession that was right for me was music education. After graduation, I began my journey to my calling by attending Shepherd University.
As I lift my head up and open my mouth, my voice escalates with every tune that comes out. The soothing words bounce off of my tongue and release the tension held within. Even if the sounds aren’t perfect or correct, every little bit helps me get through the day. When stressed, nothing helps me more than singing. My passion for singing comes from deep within my soul, mind and heart. When I sing, I sing with all of me, putting everything I can into it. I have always had a great passion for singing, ever since I was young. Although I am shy and still get nervous and shaky in front of others, in my own time, singing is my cigarette, my alcoholic drink, my escape from all the anger and the pain.
Current President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf once said, “If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough”. My dream is to be a music teacher, and it intimidates me. As more and more schools across the country eliminate their music programs, the amount of jobs available for music educators dwindles down. More importantly, there are less opportunities for students to explore and find their passion in music. Music is a form of expression when words are not enough. Music is my passion, and I found this passion through the educational system and without it, I have no idea what I would be doing with my life. I recognize that it requires hard work and dedication to achieve this dream, although it is worth it if I can positively impact