Graduation Speech: Marching Band

In the first paragraph of this source, Martinez talks about how “When the topic of marching band is brought up, many students assume how "easy" it is to go out on a field and play several songs that have to be memorized to near perfection. If marching band is not considered a sport, then ask yourself this: can you march 12 plus miles, while staying aligned with your rank and file (rows and columns)?” In all honesty, it really is not that easy to march while play songs that you need to have memorized within a couple weeks. It is difficult to focus on so many things at once. You are supposed to make sure you are playing the right notes, play and march in time and in step, keeping your legs straight, roll stepping, and keeping your posture straight and

There are numerous occasions when younger members of the drum line become quite dysfunctional. It is the guidance of myself and other older members that helps them realize that coming together makes for many rewards in the end. Working together allows the band to display its full potential, When this happens, we become the band that breaks records. Becoming the first band in almost fifteen years to earn superior ratings the entire marching season is proof of our hard work and dedication. The feeling of satisfaction we have as a team trumps any negative feelings going throughout the

My life has been full of many opportunities to participate in things that I love and these opportunities have taught me fabulous lessons. Through my persistent hard work in the Clark high school marching band I have been very fortunate to learn important lessons about positivity, service and respect. Being in my high school’s marching band has drastically changed my life for the better. I would not have made it through all the curve-balls that school has thrown at me had it not been for the marching band, which taught me to find the positive in any and every situation. Working out and making countless mistakes in the scorching Texas heat does not seem like the ideal place to learn about positivity, however that is exactly what it is.

“Line up!”, “Stay in time with each other!”, and the best one of all “If all of u are doing it wrong but u are all doing the wrong thing at the same time then it is not wrong it is then right.” Color guard may seem easy and not a lot of work but, it is they are out in the sun with the band or in the cold for hours at a time. The team are together for two weeks strat and 6 hours a day before school even starts. Determination is a major factor needed by all participants. The color guard get so in time with each other that they seem like one person and not 10 or even

Spots should be earned by being the best at what someone does, not for pitty and for moral victories to make them feel good. “In high school, kids should understand playing time is earned. The best players should get the most playing time, just as the best singers get lead roles in the spring musical…”(Nicholson). A former coach, who has been there and dealt with these kinds of problems, speaks about what he believes in. He has coached previously for 30 years, and every year he has the same problem with kids and parents alike about playing time.

Hilterman was raised in a family of classical musicians, which ultimately inspired him to become a musician as well (Shahidi). In the film, Hilterman describes his ability to learn to play the drums as a deaf person because it “comes from your heart” and that he loves to perform. During Hilterman’s interview in the beginning of the film, he informs the audience that he has been teaching for the past two years, but feels the desire to perform one last time before he dies (Walla). He contacts all of his former band members and they all appear to be eager to perform as well. Hilterman is able to bring the band back together after they had a two year break and begins to produce the largest show in the band’s history.

He was one of the only African American musicians who spoke up against political issues, he publically talked about the wrongness of school segregation (Harris). Armstrong performed an astonishing 300 concerts per year on average (Harris). Through his expertise in jazz music Armstrong set the bar for all aspiring musicians, something great to learn from but hard to live up

The most significant impact that I have made in a community has been through my work as a Student Section Leader. In years past, with the exception of my junior year, the position had generally been given to kids considered the most popular in the school. They ruled through fear, which resulted in intimidating seniors yelling at underclassmen to cheer. The football games (the only games the leaders would attend) generally involved a majority of the people feeling uncomfortable, self-conscious, and waiting for halftime so they could leave discretely. Going into my senior year, I hoped to revolutionize the position.

I went in with a negative attitude, but I remember walking out of that gym after every practice having accomplished something new. After a few months my jumps got higher, my stunt group had the highest basket toss, I got a back-tuck. Everything fell into its place, and I finally discovered what I loved most. I am so grateful I never quit after that first practice, cheer has shaped who I am today. I’m now a captain and three year cheerleader at Brighton, 2 year United Spirit Association All-American Athlete, and planning to cheer in college.

Most of all I learned that in the hardest times you can always have your family singing your song with you. Having them there as background vocalists to help you no matter how good or bad the situation becomes. My personal song comes from experiences that I feel most people would think I was singing a little off tune. I have experienced winning world championships to losing people special to me. I have helped others who would not help me.

Competitions are a highlight for many members of the band, since they are filled with rival bands, food and music. While marching band members see band having an ultimatum, get a trophy, or don’t try, Band director Mr. Farrell stresses the importance of professionalism, effort and fun. Third year marcher, trumpet player and junior Blakely Parker added, “What beats talent? Effort.” The Mighty Trojan Marching Band stresses working as an individual for a great purpose: the band. Despite all of the work, time and effort put into marching band individually, the band works as one unit to make a great show and

Unanticipated and lasting character changes resulted from my performing with the Wissahickon Marching Unit. Humility and coping with failure were commonplace lessons in my first year, as I joined amidst a “rebuilding” season with rookies comprising more than two-thirds of the band. Though frustrating considering the quantity of time I had committed with little external validation, the end result was resilience, an unwavering dedication, and greater patience. Unlike many activities where several elite members can carry an entire group, the marching unit’s nature necessarily and firmly instills the value of inclusion, as the position and movement of every individual is literally vital to the formation and success of the whole. For me, aiding

As our program grew in size, the band focused purely on winning. The less we won, the more they yelled, and the less we wanted to work. That cycle of negativity carried through the next few years, and as the positivity that the upperclassmen sustained disappeared with graduation, the negativity within the band began to spread. I can remember in my sophomore year, we came back with only two third place trophies for one of our competitions, and were yelled at during the bus ride back about how we were slacking off; not a single positive word was said. By the beginning of my junior year, band had become a chore rather than an anticipated hobby; the love that it had brought me began to wear off.

Throughout Garth Brooks as well as Trisha Yearwood 's fiercely expected efficiency collection, at one factor Garth simply stood back as well as seen admiringly as his better half belted "Don 't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue." And also after Garth won Entertainer of the Year at the end of the evening, he quickly handed his honor to followers gathered backstage so they can have a look, yet he never ever released Trisha 's hand. Brothers Osborne were called Vocal Duo of the Year, stopping Florida Georgia Line 's winning touch at 3. T.J. as well as John Osborne covered everybody that was resting near them in a team hug prior to making their method to the phase, as well as after their speech, they left with their arms around each various other as well as John wrecked as the momentousness of the win sank in. He was maintaining a reduced account however Jay Z was backstage, talking with Peyton Manning at one factor as well as leaving a remarkable impact on a starstruck Thomas Rhett-- as well as probably he owned the escape automobile after his better half took yet an additional

Wilcox 's final piece of advice is slightly less manageable but no less important. He advises all young musicians to, "join a band of people you enjoy playing with," a task not very simple for people who have few choices when it comes to bands to join. Wilcox 's "three pillars of music" closed off the interview, and all related parties left to continue their lives. Wilcox is a very strong example of a broken mold. He plays trumpet well enought to be 1st chair in a relatively skilled band, but he still moves with militaristic discipline reminescent of his darker, bloodier past.