Marching bands

"Good better best, never let it rest, 'till your good is better and your better is best." These simple words were spoken to me by my high school band director Cheldon Williams on the first day of my high school experience. This, followed by my experience of marching band and my eventual learning of piano sparked a period of introspective thought, and mental growth, that transcended to where I am today. Never in my life did I think my hard work and dedication inspired by Mr. Williams words would…

My dad said “Alright, I told her you can’t do it this year,” after he hung up the phone on the band teacher. We had just wasted the whole day doing nothing, just lagging around my grandparents house in Ohio. Now I knew that I was going to be doing even more nothing. I felt as if I shouldn’t have been there at that moment. I felt like we should have been driving home as fast as we could, so we could be back before night and be prepared for the next day. An ongoing angst made me unable to…

It was a Monday morning 7 A.M. and I was heading out on an adventure to go on my first hike. I had met up with the squad, which included me and three other guys, to challenge not only our physical ability, but also mental ability. Justin, Dan, Victor, and I drove singing every song possible for an hour to Raven Cliff Falls and began our journey. The hike started out easily when we crossed the bridge as measly boys posing for the before picture. We had walked only about a mile down before we took…

During my High-School career I have had the opportunity to lead kids through music but I am most proud of the kids that I have worked with in Horn Choir. I founded Horn Choir at the beginning of 2015 as a fun escape from the stressful school life but it became much more. In horn choir I was able to encourage kids that I have student taught to join my organization. Little did I realize it, two of the younger kids participated in self-harm (cutting themselves). After realizing this shocking news I…

Outside the window, there was a tapping on the boards to be pulled off and let in. He stood there still and as quiet as possible. Was it ghosts or skinheads? His eyes were swimming in tears. The sound circled the street, walking from first to last building, a weapon behind its back. Dreadfully the early days he moved here he hammered in those nails as quickly as his crippled hands would allow, visioning the wood coffins in Lety, and the one for his father. The windows weren’t boarded up to…

There are several things that I can do personally to make this marching season amazing. First, I want to maintain a healthy diet. I think being able to have a healthy diet can help me come to rehearsal and have plenty of energy. Secondly, I will start having a morning routine of workouts. These workouts will help me during the season so I will give my best performance. Also, another thing I want to do is improve my self confidence. Self confidence has been a little bit of a problem with me this…

Who knew that band in high school had such a surprise in store for the new students. On top of the changes from middle school to high school already being terrifying. My experiences throughout high school band were enjoyful, prideful, and exhausting. Starting from the fun treats that band came with, to the long hot sweaty hours spent on the football field practicing our hearts out for every football game. I definitely would be a different person, if it wasn’t for the band experiences that I had,…

Our band director always emphasized the “servitude” leadership. But at first, I could not imagine what a servant leader would be since I always thought that an ideal leader is cunning and charismatic. Over the course of time, however, I learned that leadership is not only defined as a charismatic commander, but also a mediator of the members who guides the group towards a common goal. As the trombone section leader in our marching band, I put in my best effort to demonstrate“leadership”, to…

Being a drum major has helped me become a strong leader for the band and myself. As drum major I am the leader of the band, I direct them at parades, football field shows, and pep bands. I make sure everything is in order and help organize all our events with our director. Because I am drum major I have been able to help our band achieve the best they can and show it to our community by performing for them at their events throughout the year. With…

teachers what I’m all about. The high school jazz band was the finest ensemble in the school for me to showcase my musical ability, specifically playing the saxophone. I’ve spent my life looking up to the jazz band at local performances. It was my dream to play in that prestigious group. I thought I did well during the audition. I was confident and professional, and I was content to get any spot in the group. After another easy day of concert band, I packed my saxophone up and walked to the…