Personal Narrative: How Marching Band Changed My Life

"Which one do you think I would be good at?" Picking an instrument was probably the hardest part of band, for me at least. Looking at the paper covered with pictures of instrument that I could choose from was overwhelming. Music was my escape from life, music brought me to another universe, so, “Why did I have to pick?”, I thought. I narrowed it down to two choices, Clarinet or Percussion. Then it dawned on me, it's band, “Who said I had too?” Playing music, being a part of band, that is what I choose. I have learned several important life skills from band like how family is not just blood, how important it is to work together, and most importantly to being myself.

Throughout my high school career, there is only one major thing that has affected my entire life, including my educational performance and that is marching band. The marching band at my high school is one of the most well respected programs in my district. In eighth grade, I decided to audition for color guard. And when I made the team, I became apart of the marching band. That year, my entire life changed. In order to participate in the marching band, your grades have to be good and you can’t get in trouble. When I joined marching band, I strived to be better than what I was. I picked my grades up and I didn’t get into trouble. That was five years ago now, I am color guard captain now and I couldn’t imagine my life without color guard. Being

It all came down to this. All of the long hours of hard work, all leading up to this one final practice. Next Saturday the Liberty High School Marching Band would be competing at the FootHill Band Review and every member had to give it their all if we wanted to have a successful practice. It was a brisk October night, the leaves on the trees were turning a beautiful auburn, and the sun disappearing into a golden sea behind Mount Diablo. As we got into our formation in the parking, I felt the brass slowly turning my hands numb as I held my trumpet.

For many years I have been known for being a very talented athlete. But what many people do not know is that I was once in the Elba Marching band. Being in the band has taught me a lot of things, like reading music, discipline and organization. The most interesting thing about the band was that we had to learn how to read music. At first this was a challenge for me, but I soon got the hang of it.

At Marcus High School, I stayed involved heavily with band and drumline. These extracurriculars demanded immense time management and a sharp level of focus. During sophomore, junior and senior years, I was able to join the student leadership corps and become the leader of the Snareline, an instrument that requires high concentration in comparison to the rest of the band. I was tasked with making sure the incoming students understood their music, and if unable, I taught them. This position led me to become an understanding leader with the desire for greatness.

Sometimes the best people in life struggled the most. I definitely struggled a lot, but I made it through everything with minimal crying. You struggled some and maybe still now, but you have put on your brave face and worked hard to be good. Honestly, I was the worst marcher and player my freshman year. I spent most of my freshman year crying wondering if Marching Band was the right decision. Actually, my parents made me do Marching Band my freshman year, it wasn’t my choice. Though, I am glad that they pushed for it because it has changed my life. You are a strong woman though your freshman season was full of obstacles you manage to stick to the end. What I love about you the most is that you are very polite and sweet. You always arrive on

If I could continue anything i did in high school I would join the michigan marching band. Marching band in high school has been a way for me to meet new people. One of my favorite marching bands for me too watch has always been the Michigan band I would love too take part in it. One of my requirements for school has been a marching band or a pep band and a large marching band like Michigan's would be very preferable. Overall if i could continue anything it would marching band because it is a passion of

Wachovia Winds ' Wind Ensemble was by far the most challenging musical experience of my life. I practiced the music every single day and worked as hard as I could, having the results to prove it. Being in the ensemble made me a better musician in the long run, and I 'm very excited to be a part of such a phenomenal band again next Spring. Thanks to the amazing direction of Danny Green, being in that band was one of the most worthwhile activities of my life. I enjoyed every performance and I wouldn 't be as skilled of a musician as I am today without it. We played no pieces under a grade 6 level, only having full ensemble rehearsal once a week for a few months. It was difficult and somtimes frustrating, but I absolutely loved every moment. I

The time that I have spent in the music program at Benicia High School have been some of the most emotional, stressful, and rewarding experiences I have ever had, and I cherish every day that I spend with my peers. When I joined, I was oblivious as to what I was getting myself into. I glared with prejudice as nearly one-hundred people, all lined up in a perfect square, screamed with excitement towards me, a naive, inexperienced, and malleable child.

I believe that being actively involved in a music program is a very important part to intellectual development. I am a very accomplished cellist who plays for the Columbus Symphony youth orchestra, and am also a member of the marching band's color guard. My experience in the music program at my high school benefited me in many ways. Personality wise, I grew confidence preforming as a cellist in front of other people. My achievements in the music program gave me a sense of accomplishment, and kept me engaged in school. I consider myself more intellectually and emotionally developed than my peers because being involved in the music program gave me empathy towards other cultures. Because of the music program, my self esteem increased, and my

In fifth grade I was still very into gymnastics but I was starting to wonder how my life would be significantly different the thought scared me and I boxed it up. I had two of the best teachers that year, Mrs Patton and Mrs Bruno. Mrs Bruno was all about going green and I loved that I talked to my mom and she got curbside recycling to start coming to our neighborhood I also did work with her on tyercecycling witch is upcycleing and its changed how I live, we recycle everything now we produce more recycling than trash. Me and 2 of my friends from school I made decided to make a Charity group, we would raise money selling homemaaid brownies for foundation 56. Being a gymnast I attended the LSu gym meets and every year Brady James would raise

Your heartbeat can change and mimic the beat of a song. So instead trying to put your heart in music like I did, try getting the beat in your heart. The clarinet is not necessarily the best beat maker, but it does have a nice range. Despite its cold, hard, raven-black wood and shiny, icy, silver keys that clink and clank as you warm everything up, it can turn into liquid gold in your hands. Once more fluid, the sound can be molded into whatever deep and rich or light and high hum you desire. That is why I adore it so much. It is long and rod-shaped and sprinkled with keys throughout; the silver bands of the ligature hold in place the yellow, wooden, saliva-soiled reed. The reed tasted bad, is smelly, and can easily mold, but it gives my

My first year of middle school was when music became a challenge for me. I had been playing the flute for three years and in those three years, music seemed to come to me naturally and I had no issue playing music that was put in front of me. Because I had been playing longer than most kids in my school, I was asked to join the honors band which was comprised of the best players in the school. The first day of official practice was when I encountered the piece of music that challenged me for months, Geneva by Timothy Broege.

My entire perspective on life changed when I joined band. Being in band influenced me to change my mindset and ultimately changed my life for the best. Prior to joining band, I only expected to learn an instrument and to make new friends, but what I actually received was bigger than anything I could have possibly imagined. Through band I was able to gain an immense amount of knowledge and lessons that will stick with me for as long as I live. Because participating in band made me reevaluate my attitude, I became a better person.

My love for music began in middle school. At that time, I was socially awkward and had few friends. To compensate, I buried myself in music. I learned to play the violin and bass guitar with immense resolve. I mastered scales, practiced arpeggio 's until my fingers bled, and meticulously studied great composers. My dedication led to many honors and the admiration of my peers. I was proud of myself and felt confident in my abilities. These sentiments translated into social skills. By the end of my second year in music, I became very outgoing. However, when I got to high school my relationship with music fundamentally changed.