In reflecting upon my first accomplishment of getting the lead role in this elementary performance, I realize that achievements throughout life are the notes a musical composer uses to build their
One-hundred and fifty students stared out at the audience, heaving after singing their final note at the All-State Honor Choir Conference. Among those kids was Janie Hawkins, a five-foot-two, singing powerhouse. All state choir is focused on learning music and perfecting skills, so when Janie got in, she received music at home before the “conference.” She and other students tried out in September, received the music and then stayed in Eugene, Oregon. After two days of practicing for the performance with her choir peers, Janie and the choir finally did the performance and had to say goodbye to their new-found friends at the Eugene Hult Center.
The marching band arrangement of the Divine Comedy was the most challenging piece that I have ever had to play. It was only my second year in the band, yet I was playing the center marimba in the front ensemble, an instrument which I had no experience on. I was also the only returning member, the previous year’s front ensemble comprised entirely of seniors and me, so it was my responsibility to help teach all of the new freshman how to play their instruments. Everyone depended on me to be the best one there and be the leader of the group, yet I was struggling to even play my own parts. In order to get to the level that I wanted to be at, I spent all of my free time after school practicing.
Initial rebellion were tantrums; fake tears spilt in hopes of avoiding practice sessions. As time slowly passed, I fell in love with the big, wooden instrument. Daily practices quickly flew by as I buried my daily stress under a large pile of old, wrinkled sheet music. That view quickly changed my freshman year of high school. My good meaning mother,
Every person has an interest or a talent which separates them from the rest of society allowing them to become an individual. It wasn’t until I decided to audition for the North Carolina Elementary Honors Chorus in 2009 that I discovered my talents lie within the realm of music. Becoming an active musician has not only helped me grow as a person by allowing me to build and strengthen social and cognitive skills, but has also helped me to appreciate each component of music, and has also taught me how to become a supportive and attentive member of the audience. That fateful day in the fall of 2009 when I heard that I was one out of one hundred and six students to make it into the North Carolina Elementary Honors Chorus was the day I realized that I had a passion for choir and for music. After that I continued to stay in choir in middle school, and eventually made it into Middle School Honors Chorus in 2013.
The arts have always been a place of comfort, safety, fulfillment, and challenge. I grew into the person I am today because of my dedication to the arts. This is no different in regards to school-related creative activities, specifically Wyndmere’s music program, which has been crucial in my continued growth as an academic student and adolescent. If not for my musical involvement, I wouldn’t have the skill set, confidence, or musical ability that I do today. Music has challenged how I play as a musician and sing as a vocalist and has provided opportunities for my confidence and ability to grow and flourish.
A huge part of my life has been music since a young age considering my mother also played an instrument and was in her own high school’s marching band. As a child, the piano sitting in the dining room of my home always taunted me with the mystery as to why it was there, but I was consistently curious as to what it would sound like to play. After deliberating intensely, I finally decided to teach myself how to play, and playing the piano soon became an important part of my life. As soon as I was allowed in the band, I joined and began to learn how to play the trombone; however, only knowing how to play one instrument within the marching band never managed to sate me. This need later led me to switch to Euphonium in order to perfect my skill
Homework Two: Personal Narrative When I was younger my mother would sit my sisters and I aside after school and ask us what we wanted to become when we were older. My two elder sisters always had a different answer they would proudly belt out; a doctor, a vet, a movie star or model. Yet, I never remembered having an honest answer, I simply couldn’t think of anything I wanted to dedicate my life too. However, that was then. Today If my mother were to ask me what I intended to do with the rest of my life I would have a definite answer, one that I could be proud of, a psychiatrist.
They kindled our passion and placed us in piano and dance lessons at age four. From there on out, Grace and I began to develop our own unique qualities. Grace was the one who loved the spotlight; I was the perfectionist who kept her from making mistakes. Even today, each of our artistic endeavors is a joint effort. I plan the auditions, Grace executes them, I prepare for the callback, Grace succeeds at the callback, but we get the part together.
I absolutely love music and it has made a huge impact on my life. I’ve sang ever since I could, even though children singing isn’t always the prettiest sound. I currently play two instruments. I’ve played guitar for about 4 years, but I haven’t had the time to play it between my heavy school load and working 40 hours a week. I just started piano and I am absolutely in love with it.
I demonstrated how much I enjoyed a song while managing to forget my minor concerns. I became content with my performances, not bothered by mistakes. It was my freshman year with my older brother that brought me back to my love of music. Each performance was not just showing what I could do, but a chance to enrich and live my life. The true joy was not only in sharing my music, but devoting myself to something
I have always been a particularly musical person. When I was younger, I wanted to become a singer when I grew up, but upon joining the choir in elementary I realized I did not have the talent for singing that I thought I had. Continually singing off key and never sounding as good as my peers did, I decided to confine myself to singing at home where only my family could hear me. Despite this revelation that I was, in fact, a terrible singer, I still wanted to participate in some type of musical performance and decided to join the band in middle school. After trying out various different instruments, I settled on the flute and quickly fell in love.
The first song we sang was “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by Peter Lutkin. Our group did well in terms of blend and balance, but the tone was an issue. For example, in measures four, seven, and eight, we didn’t open our mouths tall enough on words like countenance, peace, and face. Furthermore, we had trouble making the song flow smoothly at first, but after we were instructed to act as if we were spreading butter on bread, the effect was achieved. Expression and musicianship wasn’t something our group excelled at, and we lacked emotion in a song with so much meaning.
Piano was difficult. Growing up with an older sister meant the fewer decisions I had to make on my own. Whatever she chose, I tagged along as well. Even though as a family, we were low funded, my parents had a deep belief that music can heal the mind, as well as shape it. When I was five, she enrolled us into piano classes.
I have a shelf in the corner of my room that houses more memorabilia. There is six trophies for piano concerts that I performed at in high school. Piano was a huge part of my childhood. I started playing when I was six years old, mainly because my sister took lessons and I was jealous and wanted to be just like my big sister, until I was 17 years old.
