Personal Narrative: How Marching Band Changed My Life

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.

My identity is wrapped up in my love of music because I have been surrounded by it since I was little. When I was a toddler, I would sit for long periods of time and watch videos of kids singing songs. As I grew older I participated in my church's children's choir and even held solos in my elementary school chorus. When I reached middle school I joined my school's middle school chorus in 7th grade as an alto and 8th grade as a soprano. The transition between 8th and 9th grade was important for me because I took up voice lesson in 8th grade and went to my first music camp the summer before 9th grade.

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

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.

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. First, always first, is family.

Looking back, it was one of the few things I put all of my effort into. I was just in sixth grade, and had just started my musical career with not so great of a clarinet. However, I was enlightened by my peers and teachers that I was talented. I had not been in many competitive activities, but in what I had attended I had always performed well.

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.

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

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 had previously played drums for three years, however, the band director thought that I should learn how to play a wind instrument. He gave me a choice between several instruments, some of which I had never seen before.

Before I joined band, I did not give much attention to my academics and my life had no direction. I constantly hung around the wrong crowd who only brought negativity to me. Being around band students influenced me

I also started to get into music witch is wonderful I find I can express my self very well and I love it so much because there arnt any rules with music I make what I want and its art. My friends kind of started a band, but we have only played together once. The field trip and field day were very relaxed and everyone was happy witch to me is the most buetiful thing.

Although I really love music, I have homework, meaning I had to be more efficient and improve my time managing as well as organization, and change my budget.

At a young age, I constantly wanted to express myself through music. I always found a way to incorporate music into my daily life, whether it be by blasting my favorite music, creating my own funky songs, or even having the opportunity to participate in my elementary school choir. My love for music actually took flight after I had decided to join my elementary school choir, however, in my opinion, it is not the most transformative moment in my life. After elementary

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.

I have learned how to read musical pieces, how to play different piano-like instruments, and how to better organize my thoughts and critical thinking. I am a sophomore in high school and have been for a while now. That makes the experience of me being in band a time period of one to two years. Band has changed me for the better, whether it be me learning how to navigate myself through life or music, it has been there for me for a long time now. Without band and music, I do not know who I would be.