In the dynamic realm of our marching band, every member plays a vital role in orchestrating our collective success. As I contemplate taking on the responsibilities of percussion captain or equipment manager, I'm compelled to share why I believe these roles are not just positions but profound opportunities for personal growth and contribution to our band's journey. To start off, the roles of percussion captain and equipment manager aren't just about managing instruments and gear; they're about leading by example and inspiring our peers. Through effective communication, organization, and motivation, I see these roles as platforms to cultivate strong leadership qualities within myself and our bandmates. Together, we can foster a spirit of collaboration and excellence that elevates our performances to new heights. Moreover, the trust bestowed upon the percussion captain and equipment manager comes with a weighty responsibility—to ensure that our instruments and equipment are not just functional but optimized for our rehearsals and performances. I'm ready to embrace this responsibility, to meticulously care for our tools of expression, and to hold myself accountable for their upkeep. By taking ownership of these tasks, I aim to set a standard of excellence that reflects our commitment to professionalism and attention to detail. …show more content…
As percussion captain, I envision collaborating closely with our director and fellow musicians to refine our technique, dynamics, and musical expression. Together, we can unlock the full potential of our percussion section, infusing our performances with energy, precision, and artistry that captivates our audience and leaves a lasting
Sweat dripping down my face and butterflies fluttering around my stomach as if it was the Garden of Eden, I took in a deep breathe and asked myself: "Why am I so nervous? After all, it is just the most exciting day of my life." When the judges announced for the Parsippany Hills High School Marching Band to commence its show, my mind blanked out and I was on the verge of losing sanity. Giant's Stadium engulfed me, and as I pointed my instrument up to the judges' stand, I gathered my thoughts and placed my mouth into the ice-cold mouthpiece of the contrabass. "Ready or not," I beamed, "here comes the best show you will ever behold." There is no word to describe the feeling I obtain through music. However, there is no word to describe the pain I suffer through in order to be the best in the band either. When I switched my instrument to tuba from flute in seventh grade, little did I know the difference it would make in the four years of high school I was soon to experience. I joined marching band in ninth grade as my ongoing love for music waxed. When my instructor placed the 30 lb. sousaphone on my shoulder on the first day, I lost my balance and would have fallen had my friends not made the effort to catch me. During practices, I always attempted to ease the discomfort as the sousaphone cut through my collar bone, but eventually my shoulder started to agonize and bleed under the pressure. My endurance and my effort to play the best show without complaining about the weight paid off when I received the award for "Rookie of the Year." For the next three seasons of band practice, the ache and toil continued. Whenever the band had practice, followed by a football game and then a competition, my brain would blur from fatigue and my body would scream in agony. Nevertheless, I pointed my toes high in the air as I marched on, passionate about the activity. As a result, my band instructor saw my drive toward music and I was named Quartermaster for my junior year, being trusted with organizing, distributing, and collecting uniforms for all seventy-five members of the band. The responsibility was tremendous. It took a bulk of my time, but the sentiment of knowing that I was an important part of band made it all worthwhile.
It’s a question we all ask ourselves from time to time: "Why am I doing this? Is it really worth it?" For band directors, the question comes up a little more FREQUENTLY. The long rehearsals, hours of preparation and planning. Budget, buses and banged up tubas. Counseling and consoling. Lesson planning to tour planning." Why are you doing this?" Someone asked me once, "It’s only band".
The history of the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will be reflected through a timeline of events, including an analysis of significant events, groups, composers, and advancements. When society envisions a Wind Ensemble, talented musicians, grand music halls, and difficult arrangements typically come to mind. However, a modern-day Wind Ensemble includes a variety of musicians, each with positive and negative aspects. In society today, music is greatly appreciated and accepted. It is considered an honor and a privilege to expose our ears to the music.
The low reed section to me is not just my section, it is my family, and I would love to have the honor of calling myself mom. However, Lauren will always be the original mom and my biggest role model in band. She was the first one to give me hug whenever I was upset, she made sure I didn't get sunburned during band camp, and was overall the most loving, caring section leader I most likely will ever have. As section leader, I would like to devote all my time, love, and leadership to my section and show what an amazing marching experience truly is. Throughout this essay, I will evaluate what Lauren did well, what she could have done better, what I would do differently, and why I am the person for the job.
With an upcoming drumline of around ten freshmen, eight sophomores, three juniors, and one senior we have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us and to achieve that goal of being the best we need someone to lead us. Our ensemble can become amazing and I have a lot of great goals I hope we accomplish next year but more than anything else our group needs motivation to become the best. And by the end of next year we will have pushed ourselves and we might be bloody and tired at the finish line but we will have made it. That 's what I strive for if I get the position of Drum Captain for the 2016 Pirate Drum Line.
George Helmholtz, as the head of the music department at Lincoln High School, is very determined with his regular students and the gifted musicians of the band. Each semester and year at school he dreams of “leading as fine a band as there was on the face of the earth. And each year it came true”. His certainty that it was true was because he believed there was no greater dream than his. His students were just as confident and in response, they played their hearts out for them. Even the students with “no talent played on guts alone” for Helmholtz.
One of the biggest decisions of my high school career came my sophomore year when I decided to try out for the role of drum major in my high school band. This decision was very tough to make due to the fact that I was a sophomore, and although I already had three years of experience under my belt as a band member at Northview High School, I knew that it would be very tough to earn the respect of my peers if I succeeded in becoming drum major. Out of the three years I had spent in the band, the biggest influence on my decision to try out came from my very first marching season, between August and December of 2012. From that year forward, after seeing many areas that the band could improve, watching how underclassmen and middle school band members
When someone asks me what marching band means to me, it’s very difficult to come up with a simple answer that everyone can understand. Marching band means belonging to something bigger and more worthwhile than just a “team”; It means having a stake in something that is a treasured part of both our school and our community. Even if it means going to bed feeling every muscle in my body ache and knowing I may wake up feeling worse, I always look forward to doing it all again the next day (and the next year). Marching band is a challenge that pushes the limits of my physical and emotional endurance in such a way that I can’t wait to come back for more because I know I will be a better person for it.
DCI, an acronym that not too many people know the meaning of, but for those who do, you’ll soon learn that it is more than marching band. Started over three decades ago, Drum Corps International has “delivered the message of ‘excellence in performance and in life’ to over 7.2 million young people” (Drum Corps International About). That motif of excellence is echoed throughout their 60 day tour around the country. While learning their music, drill and visuals, the participants learn something more important, something that can’t be judged on finals night. Having to support themselves for more than three months on the road, the kids learn values and skills that they’ll use for the rest of their life, skills such as “the value of teamwork, improved self-confidence, meeting and working with people with diverse backgrounds and origins, and making new, lifelong friends” (For Parents).
I knew before I auditioned for the role that it would be challenging. I knew that to be treated with the respect I wanted I would have to earn it and being a leader meant that someone at one point was always going to hate me or not like a decision I made. Yet, knowing all of this, it is still challenging. There are times where it seems like everyone hates me and days that I would rather go home and cry then have to deal with the constant criticism. One thing that I did not know before becoming drum major though was how much stronger it would make me and how those who speak out against me would be the people who encourage me to be better, even if that’s not their intention. Even though I have had many challenges in this role, it has made me so much stronger, more passionate, and a better person than I could have ever imagined.
Madsen, Clifford K., David S. Plack, and D. Patrick Dunnigan. “Marching Band As A Recruiting Organization for the University: A Case Study.” Journal of Band Research 43.1 (2007): 54-62. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
We were two weeks in. The sun had become the bane of our efforts and water breaks the saving grace. Sweat permanently stained my white gloves a faint yellow. Frustration, nervousness, and every concoction of the two precipitated deep impressions in my whistle; better to bite down inside than outside. New muscles were forming in my arms, stronger and more precise every day.
Mauricio was able to discover his love for both saxophone and drumming. To this present day, Mauricio, now a junior in high school, is the section leader of percussion. Having that position is not as easy as it sounds, it took him countless days and section leader battles to get him to where he is now. Making the heartbeat of the marching band sound incredibly sensational. Mauricio has overcome his obstacles and his so-called “friends” who first judged him for being a part of the “lame” marching band, now salute him for not only being able to play two instruments, but for also expanding his horizons to play all sorts of instruments.
Upon learning the position of Drum Major has an opening, I did not immediately consider pursuing it. Simply being able to play my instrument in band was enjoyment enough, or so I thought. Pondering the idea more thoroughly, I came upon the realization of all that I could accomplish musically holding the position of Drum Major. I realize that this opportunity has many potential benefits in regards to my future. Being Drum Major would allow me the opportunity to hold a broader leadership position in the band than my currently held position as section leader.
drum major is the student leader of the band, and he is, at the same time, a role model, a