Chair Placement Reflection

I am, as of a December 2015, a third year participating member of the Southern Pride Marching Band here at Georgia Southern University. Music and the performing arts plays a huge role in my life, as it has given me the opportunity to travel and perform at various venues around the country. I have also met most of my closest friends through music, sharing experiences that I will cherish for years to come. Since my freshman year of high school, my skill as a percussionist has continued to grow. This past summer, in fact, I was presented with opportunity to march with Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps.

("A Quote) When I sit back and think of all the ways band has changed my life for the better, I realize it was not just the music, but also those who are in the band. Wirt County Tiger Marching Band was literally my go to for the longest time, especially after my parents split up, the only people I wanted to talk to were those in band. I started band when I was in the fifth grade and I played a clarinet for about two weeks and realized that I had made the biggest error thinkable. After two weeks passed I then tried out the trumpet and

Meet my Jazz band. This is a picture of us in New Orleans my junior year during spring break to play Jazz. I decided upon this picture because this band has had such a profound impact on how I frame my future. My connection with music through the piano has been fostered ever since I could reach those shiny black and white collection of keys. Starting at the age of four, playing the classical music of Mozart and Bach was what my musical background was founded upon, with tangible medals and accomplishments as achievements.

One-hundred and fifty students stared out at the audience, heaving after singing their final note at the All-State Honor Choir Conference. Among those kids was Janie Hawkins, a five-foot-two, singing powerhouse. All state choir is focused on learning music and perfecting skills, so when Janie got in, she received music at home before the “conference.” She and other students tried out in September, received the music and then stayed in Eugene, Oregon. After two days of practicing for the performance with her choir peers, Janie and the choir finally did the performance and had to say goodbye to their new-found friends at the Eugene Hult Center.

Band directors not only teach music, but teach important life lessons that build character such as discipline, dedication, focus, unity, responsibility, and citizenship (Bergseth1). Each are vital to every minute of practice

I realized that the only way I could achieve the results I desired was to work harder, so I focused more energy into my schoolwork and it paid off. I continued to play the flute all through high school, and participating in marching band had an equally important impact on my life. Through marching band, I learned the importance of time management. Rehearsals every day after school, Friday night football games, and Saturday competitions that lasted all day greatly cut the amount of free time I had. In fact, the majority of my free time seemed to disappear, until I started working on my time management skills.

Despite my passion for athletics, I have spent the majority of my high school career involved in show choir. I participate in the Executive Session at Sauk Prairie High School. Show choir incorporates training under professional choreographers, undergoing numerous voice lessons, and traveling the country for competitions. This self-disciplinary activity pushes me to work hard and strive for perfectionism while taking leadership roles in a professional environment. Furthermore, show choir allows me to impact others through my performance and to take risks.

She gets off the bus and runs home to her mom begging her to email the band teacher and get her a clarinet. The director unsure at first because of how far behind she will be, agrees to let her join band. Six years later, this once little girl grew up to be a section leader for the clarinet section and a drum major her senior year. She found joy in

In the 5th grade, I decided I would audition for the band program for the following year of school. I tried out many different instruments, but I ended up becoming a percussionist. Throughout the three years of middle school band, I went from being one of the students who was always struggling to receiving all district and all region honors my 8th grade year, but it wasn't until I got to high school that I realized how much I love music and how fun it can be. I enjoy being able to perform for all sorts of people and see their reaction to the music I make which fuels me to work harder to become better. When I hear people compliment me by saying they enjoyed watching me play and perform, it really inspires me to stick with music and to keep pursuing

I brewed up my own mentality about band practices –if I did not march performances, then the practices were my performances. It was during those makeshift performances on the practice field, when it had finally struck me: I have never cared about any activity so much before marching band. Therefore, I was overjoyed every Friday night because I was playing with the band in the stands. But every Friday night, halftime always ripped a fresh hole in my heart because I was never out on the field playing a part in making the crowd

In the long run, this truly paid off, as it allowed me to develop my skills as a trombone player, but more importantly develop a sense of self-motivation. On the day of auditions, I went in hoping for the best, and although my run wasn’t perfect, the practice and preparation that came before ultimately allowed me to make the band. This experience provided me with a special lesson, and let me know that my talent won’t always carry me, as what really mattered

There were three combined band in my middle school-awhile I was there. My final year at that school I made top band, wind ensemble, I had a good chair but looking back I could have worked harder to get higher-I was 6th out of 9 clarinets that year. I feel my chair did not give me justice but at the

I can remember the adrenaline that I felt as I sat on the stage playing a solo in front of a sold out crowd. This experience had a great impact on my musical perspective, challenging me to up my game when the degree of incredible talent was exposed to me for the first time. Hearing the jaw-dropping music coming from the instruments of other musicians surrounding me motivated me to turn my engines on and get to work immediately. Following that experience, I have practiced my butt off to be the best tuba player around, and I mean around the

I have been participating in the band since freshman year. As much as I enjoyed being in band, I was frustrated with the outcome of my freshman, sophomore and junior years, season. Now, my senior year has rolled around, and I was selected to be a section leader. The other senior section leaders and I set high goals for this season. We encouraged each of our sections to work harder at practice and to concentrate on all aspects of the band show.

I walked into the band room the band with my heart in my throat, my clammy hands twisting themselves into knots. Why was I here? I didn’t want to be in band-- I could never practice enough to be as good as others, and none of my friends were joining. I sat down at the table before the 5th grade band director, who proceeded to hand me a variety of different mouthpieces and ligatures, trying to find the best fit for me. I walked out of the room 20 minutes later quite disheartened.