Narrative Essay On Marching Band Leadership

My background is firmly concreted in the band community. I had no idea that joining the band as a tenor saxophone player in sixth grade would have such a remarkable effect on me. My teachers and I have noticed my growth, driven by my dedication to what I love. I have worked hard within my supportive band association to achieve my goals. Of my ultimate goals was to make one of the most exclusive bands in Nebraska.

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.

Transitioning from middle school band to high school band was a major jump because of all the time involved, but it was such a great transition. Since my freshman year I have always done all I can to be my absolute best in this program. I never slacked off on practice unless I had another event I had to attend. Every summer we have band camp that consists of 8 hours a day working our hardest to get the season started. Once school starts the color guard had three hour practices three times a week, last year it was only two, and now we only have practice one day a week because of the effort we all put in at band camp this year.

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.

After having to struggle and not making a chair placement my freshman year, by the time sophomore year rolled in I was determined to make a chair placement in the Georgia All-State Band ensemble. From the very moment the bass clarinet etudes were released I did not waste any time practicing and rehearsing at home and after school to achieve my goal of getting a chair placement. Amazingly, the long hours I spent learning rhythms and perfecting my tone quality paid off in the end because not only did I manage to get first chair placement in District Band, but I achieved the first chair on a statewide level in the Georgia All-State Band ensemble. These achievements only begin to exemplify not only how important setting goals are to me, but also

Hard Work earns success in marching band. Continuous playing , short weekends, and exhausting practices gain your band praise and pride. The continuous playing in band class and then at practice after school seems to never stop. After the practices are done you get the songs so stuck in your head that they feel like the songs are implanted in your head.

The President 's Leadership Academy is an opportunity for students who do not settle for the regular curriculum and aspire to become involved servant-leaders through experiential learning, workshops, and classes. The mission of the PLA is to give BGSU students the opportunity to sharpen their leadership skills through a curriculum based on the concept of servant leadership. This way, these young adults may be able to grow in their leadership abilities and contribute to society both while in school and after graduation. I am particularly interested in being a part of the PLA because of my joy for servant leadership. In my high school career I have assumed many leadership positions.

In high school I have participated in a variety of extracurricular activities. As a freshmen I was a member of marching band. I was treasure and then secretary of the band council. Also, I was tuba section leader and low brass super section leader. As a sophomore I was secretary of SASA, “Students Against Substance Abuse,” and president my junior year.

As a proud member of the Mercedes Tiger Band color guard and drill team, a lifetime goal for me would be to join a marching band and/or college dance team. Coming into high school I never thought my passion would be to be performing in front of hundreds of people every Friday Night for four years. It has become my passion and it brings me much joy to perform and have the time of my life on that football field. I have had an amazing four years participating in many extracurricular activities but I have found that my biggest passion is colorguard.

Mid-December on a Friday morning the most unexpected situation brought harsh feelings towards me. I found out I did not make the District 's All-City Honor Band. Every year before that day, I have always achieve a chair in the honor band since I have been playing the clarinet. That disappointment hit my heart the deepest and hardest way possible because that morning I woke up certain I made the band. I took the failure hard with all kinds shenanigans with negative thoughts and feelings.