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. …show more content…
He explained to us that now while playing with NF, he performs every night in bars with drinks on all four walls, but has no temptation. Instead, he helps those who are hopping from wall to wall getting drinks. All of what I was hearing made me realize that I can overcome temptation. It made me understand that if I do fall into temptation, God will lead me out of it, and in turn, use me to help those who are struggling. This was the first time it had really sank in how much I need God in my life. It made me realize I am here on Earth, not to stay, but to help those who otherwise, would be staying somewhere worse after this life. Not only can I help those by temptations God has helped me overcome, but by my passion, drumming itself. He made me realize that my drums are an outer representation of an inner manifestation. Although I might be playing a polyrhythm on my drums, it is representing my passion for God. That is more important than any beat I could ever create on the
Of all the things I’ve ever experienced, being in the Blanche Ely Marching Band was the most meaningful. Growing up I couldn’t fathom the value of life’s intangible things, but my perspicacity grew when I made the decision to stay in the band. The most important lessons I learned while being in the band would be: the importance of resilience,
"Mother says dinner is ready," Ellie grinned foolishly, knowing that little interruptions always pushed Monica's buttons. As Monica was saying goodbye to her friend, Ellie popped her head back into the room. "You also need to go pick up Ryland from the Wheeler's house." With that last statement, Ellie Harlind made her way down the stairs of their two floor home. Ryland Harlind was the youngest child of three at eleven years old. Ryland and Monica were as close as siblings could be. Even with their five-year difference, people would think that there was no chance the age difference was over three years.
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.
The achievements of the Edgewood drum line has lead my transition from childhood to adulthood in many ways. My director has shown me how to be not only a good percussionist, but also a good leader. From these leadership qualities, I was able to lead our drum line to success in 2016. The the indoor drum line finals at the MEPA finals in 2016 where the Edgewood Drumline was awarded first place for our performance. This accomplishment was many years in development after getting third and second place for 3 years in a row. This achievement meant a lot to me and my peers at Edgewood, as it is one of the most major endeavors that Edgewood's music department has accomplished.
Being involved in several activities at Skutt Catholic aspire and motivate me to reach and strife for success and accomplishment. A prime example of my accomplishments are shown in the band program. My commitment and passion for band goes deep within the band program. I strictly practice self discipline of constant repetition and long dedicated practices in order to receive superiors in districts and an alternate position in the Nebraska Allstate band my sophomore year. As a the drum major of the marching band I had to uphold several leadership skills that require essential attribute to the position. These essential attributes include excellent musical, marching, organizational, and communication skills, as well as a servant-leader attitude. Being the leader of the band demands that I become the best role model I can be for upperclassmen. For instance I am the first to arrive and leave at practices, I must always maintain a positive attitude at all times, and to humbly go the extra mile to serve the band. Another activity that symbolizes my character was football. Football was both a mental and physical struggle, but what truly motivated me to strap on the green and black helmet everyday was my deep respect for my loyal teammates and legacy of the football program built at Skutt Catholic. During
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
I have come a very long way; the four years since I started have only progressed with intensity and involvement with music. I know the next years of my life will only be more intense and more involved with music, and I hope that it can become a career one day. Music has allowed me to express myself during my happy moments, my teenage angst, my depression, my heartbreaks, and it has always gotten stronger, and it carries me with it. I cannot wait to see what music I’m creating in five, ten, or fifteen years. One day, I’ll look back to the songs I have finished in my younger days, and I will be reminded of my high school years, and what I was going through during those times, because, to me, music is
Campbell is passionate about providing access to musical instruments because of its “healing powers.” “Growing up, music, just even listening to it at
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.
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.
In a marching band, the idea is to utilize copious amounts of micro-organisms and turn them into a singular macro-organism. However, our voices do not become lost in the cacophony of noise, simply strengthened and enforced by the foundation that each section provides to make the larger creation- a show. My understanding of myself became clearer as I learned to give myself to a larger cause without losing myself among the chaos.
The 2013’s Americans for the Arts policy roundtable program let the panels from different backgrounds got together and discussed about what arts should focus on this year, and the topic they came out was “Arts and Healing: Mind, Body and Community ” (“2013 Report And Recommendations”, 3). When I first saw this topic, one name jumped into my mind, James Rhodes, a rising British pianist. He was abused by his teacher back into teenage time, and this tragic experience brought him not only physical harms but also mental illness. He got involved into some drug issues and everything just seemed so messed up. However, it is music that pulls him back from the edge and let him become whom he is today. He once said in the interview “On the piano”
If I were to be in the DJ booth thinking about how I messed up the same song transition last night, chances are that I’m going to overthink it and mess up again. Even worse, before I even started booking shows, many of the venues wouldn’t let me play because they didn’t think I was good enough. Using the power of endurance I kept trying and trying and finally they saw how strong my perseverance was and started booking me for shows. The most important thing is to endure by enduring: understanding the difficulties, enduring the hardships, predicting the risks, and tolerating the abuse, all ensure fame and success for such a person. What makes one truly great is knowing how to tolerate the intolerable and how to endure the unendurable. “Everyone knows how to thrive in the good times. It is the trying times that separate the one who has substance from the one who merely possesses the image” (Chu 141).
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.
I believe the greatest thing to ever happen to me was my snare drum, and I want to thank my teacher, Mr. Cantu for teaching me the correct techniques and teaching me how to practice. One thing that helps me in school was practicing because thanks to that I learned how to manage my time in studying. As a student in college I go back and I think about all the crazy times I had with my drum, and I enjoy thinking about them. But thanks to my parents who