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.
I am, as of a December 2015, a third year participating member of the Southern Pride Marching Band here at Georgia Southern University. Music and the performing arts plays a huge role in my life, as it has given me the opportunity to travel and perform at various venues around the country. I have also met most of my closest friends through music, sharing experiences that I will cherish for years to come. Since my freshman year of high school, my skill as a percussionist has continued to grow. This past summer, in fact, I was presented with opportunity to march with Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps.
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.
As I struggled learning flanks, Anna was quick to come over and help me, and in that moment I knew I wanted to be a Drum Major. The help I received built my confidence, and led to me to be the best performer I could be every time I stepped foot on the field. The bright lights, the cheering audience, and
Hello. So this is gonna be a really honest talk. This year 's been miserable for us for this entire year. We 've done our best to hold this group back, we 've had crappy attitudes, we 've done everyrthing incorrectly. And I 'm generalising, it 's not everyone.
Marching band was an exhilarating way to prove your school pride during the year. It takes a lot to be a part of Marching Band. Although It’s hard work, the students involved love “The relationships you build,” Exclaimed Brittani Ricks ’17.Also helps to “Improve as a musician. ”Stated Sydney Matiska ‘10.To be successful and improve in marching band you must be very responsible and also strong enough to endure the long hard band camps and practices. There are many responsibilities, some have titles and some don’t, Macey Wolf ‘16 and Brittani Ricks ‘17 were the drum Majors for the 2015-2016 school year.
Spending countless hours every week on something might make someone tired, but luckily, this is not the case for me. Since joining the Monacan Band, my life has in one way or another revolved around the band. Four years ago I would have never thought about applying for a leadership position. The idea of having a leadership position seemed scary and different.
One achievement that has greatly impacted my life, is the honor of being drum major for the marching band. Throughout the whole audition process, and the season that followed, I have learned important life skills, that will help me in the future. The first thing I learned was that practice pays off. While this is a commonly understood fact, this whole experience has really solidified that idea for me. When I first decided to audition, I attended classes to learn how to conduct.
EXODUS 31:16-17 “”The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.””. Because God rested, so must I in favor of respecting His actions. The Sabbath is a covenant with God. By accepting this covenant with God, I am sustaining my harmony with God.
Through the sport I challenged the limits of both my physical
“I’m surprised you didn’t write about band,” Mrs. Miller stated when she heard my concerns. Thus, I decided to write about my first year of marching band. “Music was a coping method,” I wrote in my first draft, because I was worried about revealing more. However, when Mrs. Stokes
Joining band had an immense and almost immediate impact on my life. Before being in band I had never had a talent that I felt completely confident in. I enjoyed practicing and spent many hours trying to improve my musical ability. In
Like much of my dad’s side, I was blessed with an ear for music. Like my uncle, I taught myself to play piano, though I am not as good as he is. Also like my uncle, I plan to play in the hall on the piano just like he did at Texas A&M. I also have played the cello since the 5th grade.
Playing trumpet is a talent because I’m good at it and I love to play it everyday. I also use my talent by being in band and playing at my church sometimes. I developed my talent by practicing everyday and signing up for band.
