In the tri-state area and New England, the only time an event is preceded by the National Anthem is if it is a sporting event or the event is honoring America or the military. I was shocked when I found out the ensemble would be playing the Anthem before the concert. I learned that the stereotypical Texas patriotism and respect for the USA is as prevalent as most people would assume it is. I became more educated on the cultural differences between my home state and my new home for the next four years. Evidently, people in New England and people in Texas have vastly different values. Since I chose to attend a university in Dallas instead of Boston, I enabled myself to expand the amount of education I would receive. Whether I attended Boston College or SMU, I would be learning the exact same material in class at the exact same pace. The large difference in attending SMU instead of BC is that I am receiving an academic education and a cultural education from SMU, whereas I would only receive an academic education from BC. When I graduate, degrees from either school would “merely [chart] my stumbling, unwitting process toward graduation,” but SMU offers a vastly different type of education not offered to my by BC (Jones). The performance by the Dallas Winds contributed to my cultural education outside of my university …show more content…
The ensemble allowed me to view the final product of a possible option for my career. I was able to hear how well the saxophones blended with the ensemble and supported its sound in order to make the group sound as best as it possibly could. I was also able to hear the stark contrast in skill between my high school ensemble and a professional ensemble. It was also much better for me to hear a live performance because I was able to hear the highest quality of sound. The acoustics in the Meyerson Symphony Center are done a disservice when heard in a YouTube video or an iTunes recording. It is extremely easier to pick out specific instruments live than in a video recording. Also, live performances are much more impressive because the ensemble only has one opportunity to put on their best performance instead of having several takes until the group gets the recording they want. Finally, hearing Joe Lulloff perform spiked my interest in my instrument because of his impressive performance and his ability to make sounds I have never heard before. My college education was enhanced by attending an event that shows me a preview of a career that is very pertinent to one of my