Marching percussion

My sophomore year of high school, I was accepted into the Saber’s Marching Pride Flag corps. At my high school, all freshmen are required to play their instruments because the music is the most important part of the show. Also, it requires the kids to focus on marching basics, drill reading, and learning how to roll step, different from the flag corps where they jazz walk. I have performed with flag corps for the last three years which were named: Groovy Baby, Muevas Sus Huesos, Seven years.…

Few experiences in a high school musician’s career are as rewarding as participating in an honor band. A weekend on a breathtaking college campus advancing one’s musicianship, honor bands not only help a musician blossom but also create lasting memories. Those accepted into an honor band have both talent and dedication. Consequently, auditioning for an honor band is a challenge that requires diligent practice for weeks or even months. To successfully audition, one must have fast and accurate…

New York City- Kelvin Martinez 27, wakes up in a rush desperately sorting through his spare change jar in hopes of finding enough money to pay for a train ride to work. However the money that he did find was just enough to get to work, he had no idea what he was going to do when he had to go back home. Besides being stressed over his financial situation he was also concerned about being able to maintain his job. Kelvin was on his final notice after habitually being late to work due to the…

Marching band has been influential in helping me to develop into the young adult I am today. I have gained confidence and have responsibility and leadership through participation in marching band. Marching band helps shape me into the leader and adult I am today. Prior to joining marching band I lack confidence and feel self-conscious about myself. Participating in marching band helps increase my confidence and allows me the freedom to express myself through music. Before I used to not take…

Ever since marching band has been an extracurricular activity, there has been debate about whether or not marching band should be considered a sport. There are multiple arguments, both supporting marching band being considered a sport and it not being considered a sport. The arguments for marching band to be considered a sport include there is a lot of physical exertion, it is used as a physical education waiver, and people pay more attention to “sports” than they do “activities” or “clubs.” The…

“You may take the field for competition.” Marching band has always been something I wanted to do since I entered North Middle School band. When I first signed up to be in the ‘Rebel Pride’ marching Band at Franklin County High School, I had no idea what that year would have in store for me. ‘Will I fit in?’ ‘Will anyone like me?’ Those were all questions I asked myself. I can honestly say that the four years I was in marching band was the time of great learning and discovery of myself and the…

As the rhythmic music started to play, I realized that my routine would determine my personal overall placement and the placement of my team. The pressure was on and I had to take a few deep breathes before I could focus on the importance of the next minute and eight seconds. I continued to match my skills with the timing of the music while listening to the cheering of the crowd and my nervous heart beating erratically out of my chest. Once I completed my last tumbling pass and stuck it, I…

When people think of marching band, they tend to believe it is a joke or a waste of time. Marching band is a more time consuming activity that starts late in the summer. Yet the people that are not involved in the Fine Arts are more likely to have these false accusations. While most believe marching band is not a sport, is for the unpopular kids, and requires no prior skill, it in fact requires a great deal of time and dedication. A lot of marching bands practice on a daily bases, implying the…

had to face was actually from this year when I decided to join my high school’s marching band. Although most high school students join the band their freshman year, with many coming from musically experienced backgrounds, I on the other hand joined in the last year of high school, with no band experience coming in. My first weeks in band was stressful, as my peers had to teach me all the intricacies of band, from marching technique, how to play my instrument, and memorizing my music as well as…

Playing the trombone is one of my greatest skills that I developed over time in my life. I may seem effortless when I play the trombone, but it took me several challenges to get to where I am. When I was in sixth grade, a middle school band inspired me to join band in middle school. With my family being a “fresh off the boat” immigrant, however, I was insecure about myself since I was not much fluent in English. Worse than expected, my first band experience disappointed me. Trombone was not my…