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I stood seven steps from the start line, hands sweaty and lips trembling. It seemed as if at any moment I would break the position of attention: feet at a forty-five degree angle, knees slightly bent, chin just above the horizon, and shoulders up, back, and down. Though I always dreamed of representing the Benicia High School Panther Band as their drum major, the lone figure in front of the block of blue and gold wearing a white British uniform and a brown bearskin hat, it never occurred to me that I was finally there. There was no way I could not be nervous; it was the last marching practice before my first competition in my career. Nevertheless, there was no escape.
While in the band, I played the trumpet. I chose the trumpet because It was a wonderful instrument and it was one of the easier instruments to learn to play. Trumpets come different ways and varieties that are built to play in different musical keys. The type of trumpet that I played was made to play in a B flat.
I began participating in band in 5th grade and throughout the years I have discovered that music is something that I truly enjoy. I originally decided to continue on with band during high school just for fun, unaware on how much of an impact it would have on my life. Through band, I have met some of my best friends and I have experienced once in a lifetime opportunities like performing at Walt Disney World, during a parade. Over the past four years I have drastically improved my musical ability and my leadership skills. Most importantly I have learned the value of a job well done.
When I ended my sophomore year, I felt as if I was on top of the world. My grades were top tier, I had a successful soccer season, and I had just been assigned the drum major position in my school’s marching band. However about halfway through the following summer, I was diagnosed with depression. Instead of trying to fight through my condition, I allowed myself to slink deeper and deeper into an abyss. I knew that in my tenure as drum major, I would need to have a stable mind in order to be effective and have a possible impact on the band
It all came down to this. All of the long hours of hard work, all leading up to this one final practice. Next Saturday the Liberty High School Marching Band would be competing at the FootHill Band Review and every member had to give it their all if we wanted to have a successful practice. It was a brisk October night, the leaves on the trees were turning a beautiful auburn, and the sun disappearing into a golden sea behind Mount Diablo. As we got into our formation in the parking, I felt the brass slowly turning my hands numb as I held my trumpet.
How many people have ever thanked their practice on the trombone when they received a raise or got a call back on an interview? Not to mention that people with fine arts degrees, depending on where you look, have a staggering 16.2% unemployment rate (yes,even worse than library sciences). This causes college graduates, who spent thousands of their parents’ dollars to “pursue their passion” as they likely justified it, to find welcoming jobs at fast food restaurants and laundromats. This leaves band with no purpose other than entertainment. Yes, it is true that the games and performances are fun.
Music is a very recent thing that has changed my life. I have always had an interest for music, since I was young I would dream of playing the Alto Saxophone. My dream became a reality in Sixth Grade when I was able to pick up and learn an instrument. I ended up choosing the Tenor Saxophone because of its dark full sound. I progressed very quickly taking lessons from Jill Marasa, band director at Costa Catholic Academy, later that year I bought a Flute, and Clarinet.
I start off everyday by getting ready and heading to school. When I get there, I walk into the choir hall and prepare for an hour and a half long rehearsal that I know will leave me tired. We always start with ten or twenty minutes full of physical exercise. When that is done, we move into breathing exercises that always somehow seem more physically demanding. Finally, we get to singing; which is my favorite part of the whole day.
I played tuba in band throughout middle school, high school, and college. I remember when I was assigned to play the tuba in middle school; I was upset and mortified because what middle schooler wanted to play tuba, but the band director said I had the perfect embouchure to play tuba and it would be a waste to switch to another instrument. Eventually I developed a love for the tuba, I practiced constantly and auditioned for numerous honor bands and various competitions. One year I was fortunate to complete a lifelong goal to make the Mississippi Lions All-State Band. That summer, I traveled to Hawaii, and I represented Mississippi at the International Lions Club Convention.
My special place to remember is my high school band hall. I spent a significant portion of my high school years in that place. Our band hall housed approximately 300 budding musicians during marching season, and so it was spacious. There were practice rooms, a uniform room, and a room with shelving that housed our instruments during the day. Above that room was the library.
Throughout my high school career, I was forced into many situations where I was challenged to connect with my peers and serve as a role model for future students. Whether it be my involvement in the school marching band, or helping students in community tutoring sessions, I have always made it my goal to better the people around me through my own efforts. Throughout my high school career, I have put forth my best effort to connect with my peers, transform individuals, and make a difference in my community. Joining the school marching band at the beginning of my freshman year of high school was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with the violin. Music cannot be quantified, no matter how much orchestra judges attempt to. Unlike swimming, where races result with an exact time, violinists perform in concerts, where a minute mistake could blemish the entire performance. This invisible essence has frustrated me, because I was unable to visibly see improvement.
Curtains open. Lights come up. Music starts. Six little dancers, three and four years old, dressed as bumblebees, lined up across the front of the stage. Each doing her own version of the choreography: one waves to family members in the audience, another runs offstage early, and another ignores the choreography altogether, simply enjoying her time under the glowing stage lights, I suppose.
Arts in Education Having the arts involved in education is very beneficial to children. The arts improve personal motivations. The arts improve developmental skills.
I have learned how to read musical pieces, how to play different piano-like instruments, and how to better organize my thoughts and critical thinking. I am a sophomore in high school and have been for a while now. That makes the experience of me being in band a time period of one to two years. Band has changed me for the better, whether it be me learning how to navigate myself through life or music, it has been there for me for a long time now. Without band and music, I do not know who I would be.
