The very first practice together was the most intimidating experience I have ever had. A group of freshman, including myself, were waiting in the Chorus room and then it was time. We walked into the double doors and the whole West Haven High School band was standing up and clapping. I thought to myself, “Why are they clapping?” After everyone was seated, our director, Mr. Crabtree said, “This is your family for the next four years.” It wasn’t until my senior year in high school that I found out how much that really meant.
I’ve been in band for seven years now and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. The band director now, Ms. Marcella, says, “This is YOUR band, get involved!” because there is just so many things to get involved with. I thought that band just during school was exciting, but there was so much more to that. There is Band Council, Ensembles, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Leadership Positions, local performances, and much more I had missed out on during my freshman and sophomore year.
In my junior year I joined Band Council, Clarinet Ensemble, and ran for Field Leader and Office Assistant for the Leadership Team. I did not receive the position of Field Leader, but did receive the position of Office Assistant. I was very grateful for this position because in order to try out for this position, I had to attend 5 meetings, write an essay on why I wanted these positions, and make a 3 minute marching performance.
Office Assistant means that I have responsibility to ensure all music in use is fully stocked at all times, fill music orders 24 hours of submission, spend at least one day a week after school or during a free period working in the Band Library, assist Section Leaders in handing out music, work to keep the rooms clean and keep rehearsals productive, and in my opinion, the most important responsibility, is to set an example for the Band to follow. There are 200 members in the band and once someone sees someone joking around and not follow the rules, others will follow.
The most important thing to me is band.
My older sister loved the marching band, so I always got dragged to their performances. I could not tell what was so appealing about it all; it consisted of walking on a field while playing instruments and flags being swung in the air. Participating in a marching band was never what I intended nor wanted to do. The idea bored me, but my mom insisted.
Where I learned how to become a leader through the leadership ensemble within the marching band. Where in my senior and fourth year of marching competitively, I became the Drum Major, and earned the Best Drum Major Award at the Roxbury Marching Band Classic Competition. From marching band I progressed into jazz music, where I became the lead alto saxophonist in the top jazz band at my school during my junior and senior year. I was also one of three saxophonists in the top band at my school. I picked up the clarinet, the flute, and the soprano saxophone on my way through high school, and have played all three as well in my performing ensembles. I played in the pit orchestra of the theater production of “All Shook Up”, and was the principal saxophonist at my high school. Too be short, I am very involved in all things music in the past and currently. Band and music have been a place for me to rely on, something that brings me joy when sad. Allows me to express myself through sounds and through instruments. It is truly a talent and a hobby that I hope to continue through college and through life because of the joy it brought me and creative outlet it was throughout my
Also, I have been granted spots in Alpha Chi Honor Society and Psi Chi Honor Society. This past year, I served as secretary at Alpha Chi. This position helped me learn how to work well with other members of a leadership team, and helped me create a successful food drive for those in need in Anderson. Being a part of a leadership team was an awarding experience, and I am excited to be a part of it again this coming fall.
Being a member of the Firelands High School “Mighty Falcon Marching Band” has taught me more about myself, shown me respect for others, given me a sense of commitment, and brought me more positive experiences in my high school career than anything else I have participated in. The long, challenging rehearsals wonderful performances, and exciting trips have defined my experiences during the past four marching seasons. This ragtag group became my second family. I obtained these lessons about being a part of a group and putting the needs of others above myself; this has been the most crucial lesson. I’ve had the honor to partake in the extremely rewarding feelings, such as enthusiasm and excitement, that come with being a part of a band.
I had never originally planned to join marching band in high school. The thought of having to branch out and try something new with a good chance of failure absolutely terrified me. However, after meeting some of the high school band members, and listening to their experiences, I decided to give marching band a chance. I eventually became enthralled with all the aspects of marching band despite having some challenges and bumps along the way. What intrigued me most about marching band, was the opportunity to be apart of the leadership program. The leadership program was for band members willing to step out and take the responsibility to help lead and guide the other members of the band. I had first observed it as a chance to take charge and
I’ve learned so much from band, like how to be a team, how to be patient, social, and to not give up hope even when it seems like it may be hard and
been in band for three years in middle school, high school band was a whole new world full of
This season was only the second year that I had been in marching band, even though we did do parades in middle school. The year before, I was selected to be drum major of the upcoming marching season. I was excited to meet the challenge of getting back to the state championships. It was also nerve-racking because I felt if we didn't make it to state, it would be my fault. To be truthful, later on I experienced both sentiments from some of the most influential, heart-warming, absolutely awesome friends that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. This would be the year that our band would adopt its slogan, its mission statement: Band #1.
Starting at the end of this year two obstacles will be placed upon the Heritage Band. The opening of the new Frisco ISD campus, Memorial High School, and the large number of seniors graduating; this will impact us greatly due to the drastic portion of our band leaving us next marching season. This not only means the band will be smaller but the atmosphere will be different. The current HHS culture is very welcoming and friendly. These values filled up a part of me that felt absent as well as alleviating my fear of emerging as a first year student having to worry about losing classmates. While also knowing that I will be meeting people from other walks of life. Not only has the Heritage band taught me the values of family and unity, it also taught me to be accountable for my actions.This
This experience was foundational to me and has allowed me to envision my future career. It has also encouraged me to work adamantly towards my future by taking advanced placement classes. In addition, I ran for a secretary position in National Honor Society to gain more leadership experience that will help prepare me for my
1) For the last two years of high school, I was a member of my school’s show choir. Show choir is the most collaborative experience I have ever had. I was one of forty other girls who became my family. We spent days, weeks, months together. The experiences I shared with them have bonded us together forever. I learned that no matter what, your team is behind you. I had some awesome days and some horrible days, but my girls were always there to support me. Although we competed with each other, we never sabotaged or hurt each other. I learned how music and dance can really connect people through anything. Those girls were different ages, different ethnicities, a huge spectrum of amazing individuality. We all loved each other so much. It was an
I have held numerous leadership positions throughout high school. I have assisted students in their scientific research. I led a microbiology crew in my sophomore year. I inspired peers to take on research as an extracurricular activity. Being a leader and taking on such positions helped me grow into the person I am today.
The very first day of highschool, I got off the cheddar cheese colored bus and started up the walkway toward the glass, double doors. Mrs. Ware was standing three feet away from the double doors in her in four inch heels that matched her black, fitted two-piece suit when she greeted me with “Morning” in her southern accented voice. I passed the main office, that was filled with frustrated parents and students, and headed toward that band hall. Finally, I reached that band hall. The band hall was a place of peace and security for me because I wasn’t a social person, and all my friends were in the band. Anyways, on a typical school day, everyone would put their instruments together and before the bell would ring we would hustle outside to form the arch to warm-up. Then we would run the part of the show we had perfected and then worked on the other parts that looked and sounded horrendous. This continued until marching season was
Music is more than just listening to a favorite band in the car. For the people who are actually involved with playing in a band, they know how different each type of band can be because of past experiences. It can provide not only music specific experiences, but others as well. These experiences include benefits that seem to go unseen, but will turn out to be useful in the future. One of the biggest benefits that comes from being in band is gaining the social benefit of working together, as it will prepare the participants for life outside of music.
Once I got to high school, I joined the marching band in the fall, winter percussion in the winter and jazz band year round. Also, my freshmen year, I auditioned on trombone for an honor band called Northeastern Junior Districts where over 1600 talented students from all over Massachusetts auditioned to be in one of two groups. Only about 100 students got accepted, and I happened to be one of them.