My Sophomore Year Essay

In addition to reflecting on the Classical curriculum, another compelling reason for attending your school involves the way Christendom will allow me to bring my humble desire to sing and add it to the immense talents and contributions of many others and participate in the school choir. Singing in choir has been a passion of mine since second grade. While I do not take choir as an extracurricular anymore, I am now graded on something I love to do. I

As a third and fourth grader, I participated in choir. I enjoyed it then but decided to stop so that I would have more time for homework. In the beginning of seventh grade, when it came time to decide if you want to join choir, Maria Abbulone and I chose to sign up. We thought it would be a fun experience because we enjoy singing, and we had done it in past years. As choir practices began, Maria and I thought that it would be a fun experience for the year, and we might decide to do it in eighth grade. As the choir kicked into full swing, everything was going well.

I chose to join show choir because I thought it would be a good way for me to leave my comfort zone and try something new and fun. The first time I thought of auditioning for show choir was when I saw them perform during my sophomore year. They sang and danced to a song titled, "Till the Love Runs Out" and the sound and choreography they did just blew me away. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of that choir.

Throughout my 6 years at Lakefield Elementary School, I liked being involved in many things. I remember praying that I was picked from our class to be on the Christmas parade. I was also involved in the choir, book club, hot lunches, and even did a year of violin. I also participated in the talent show at the end of year in grade 5 by singing a song. Lakefield prepared me and gave me the confidence to enter Quispamsis Middle School. At QMS, because of the positive response received during the grade 5 talent show, I tried out for the musical

I was in music class when my teacher, Mrs. Umberson, had kept on telling me to join the Phoenix boys choir. I'd always come home with packets about how to join and audition packets, however my parents didn't really know what to say. I listened to music but didn't really care about it, never really shown interest in music, and I didn't have a very good voice. So when I was coming home with Phoenix Boys Choir flyers my parents didn't know why I wanted to do this… But they said sure.

I went to Ebenezer Middle School in Rincon Georgia for all three years. By the time I had made it to middle school I had adjusted to uniforms and the new people in a new district.I was upset that the uniform shirts were now green, and I had grown used to the navy blue shirts from fifth grade. I was very excited to start switching classes more and I was ready to start playing an instrument. In middle school we had A days and B days. Everyday it switched between the two. Everyday you would still go to your main classes, but the fifth class would switch everyday. That fifth class was an elective, and I had band as one of them all four years. In eighth grade I had the option to do band everyday so obviously I chose to do that.

One answered, “Yes because you might end up being a famous singer one day.” Another student answered, “Yes just because the friendships that you make might last a really long time.” The third student answered, “Yes, because it opens up a lot of career opportunities and also social opportunities.” These responses can show us that being in chorus can help to open up many possibilities in your life. For the sake of getting an outside look on this question, Mrs. Grizzle was asked, “Have you ever witnessed a student’s life being changed by music?” She responded, “ I had a student join in 6th grade who lacked self confidence and didn't have many friends. By the end of 8th grade, she was a section leader, made All State Chorus twice, taught and directed a song at the winter concert. She is now majoring in music education and wants to be a chorus teacher!” This shows that chorus can have a lifelong impact on students.

I joined clubs that controlled individual aspects of my life in education, collaboration and leadership that would prepare me for a college life. However, the biggest impact I made at my school was being involved in my marching band. As a junior, I was chosen by my band director to step into the role of a senior and lead our band. I doubled as a section leader for saxophones and drum major leading about 90 kids on the field. As a junior it was frustrating dealing with seniors who invalidated your position simply because of age, but as a program it was a growing experience. It was stressful and time consuming, but it was such a culminating opportunity to mature and grow not only in the program, but also as a person. I never understood how much this program meant to me until I was separated from my parents and put into a placement home, away from the single two people who lifted the world off my shoulders. The band room became my home when I refused to call a strangers house my home. I then realized that this program wasn't just teaching me how to play an instrument, but also helped me to get through life in a safe way. Now as a senior, I continue to be the drum major of a much larger band and hope to help the kids find their comfort in music as I did when nothing else was

Freshman year me really, really wanted to make District band. In middle of August, 2014, the etude for my audition almost four months away

High-school band is the greatest thing to ever happen to me, but I almost didn’t do it. One day in middle school band class the high school band director, Mr. Perkins, was with us to talk about band in high school. He talked about how marching band was a great experience, and that we should not only sign up for marching band, but take a band class during the school year. I really liked Mr. Perkins, but I for whatever reason convinced myself beforehand that I wasn’t going to do marching band. I can’t even remember what the reason was. I loved music, liked band, and I liked playing my instrument. Maybe I thought it was too much work or that it was for “nerds”. Regardless, I had made up my mind beforehand. I went home that day and told my parents there was no way I was doing band. They immediately told me that I needed to give it time and think about all my options before I made my decision. They wanted me to be involved in at least something. After thinking about it, and my friends convincing me, I reluctantly decided to do marching band. I however decided to not take a band class. I went to band camp, and absolutely loved it. I met so many new people and had loads of fun. I was playing really well and got attention for it from my trombone section leaders and even Mr. Perkins. Things were great, up until marching band ended two months later. I was done with music until next year, and my trombone friends were in band class getting better. In efforts to avoid effort, I didn’t

Some say one choice will change an entire life. Well, the choice I made to join choir in 7th grade sure did change my life. Entering my senior year is sad because I know soon I will no longer be a part of the wonderful things that happen in this school’s choirs. I know one thing for sure, I will end my senior year with a bang and getting to go to choir camp would start it off great. Thank you for your

Choir is something I deeply care about and it really does help me get through each day of school with a positive attitude. I am also one of the top choir students in our school, being accepted into all the top tier choirs at our school and making honor choirs throughout the state, but the All State Choir was the real prize. Only the best are accepted into it and I made it my sophomore year and I thought I would never face failure in choir. The next year however took a downward spiral. I tried out for the All State Choir the next year and walked in with confidence and pride. Then I sat with patience to waited for the results that were posted five hours later. When I looked at the list one name was missing and I

Wanting to be a part of that family-like bond they had, I auditioned sophomore year, but I did not get in. Naturally I was devastated, and my ego took a hit. But I used that year to further improve myself and my leadership skills. I went back into chorale and was able to help the freshmen learn their music as a peer tutor. During the spring I experienced something new by joining Women’s Concert choir. Finally, my junior year I made it. It took yet another year to help me become independent on my part. The class also taught me to work hard and learn how to manage my time. Finally my senior year, I was named section leader. As a section leader I am responsible for teaching my section their part by playing the piano. I am also responsible for answering anyone’s questions and making sure everyone understands important concepts and seeing that the group bonds with each other. Outside of school my duties are still performed. After school I am still a leader in Gospel Choir and in all of our rehearsals. If anyone needs me they can text me and I will help them. Not only has this position given me the opportunity to help my section, but also it has helped me to develop leadership skills that I

This year I wish I did not switch from Honors to CP Band. I did this because I was afraid of a couple scales, like I said I was very not confident with my playing ability. If I had just practiced instead of worrying I would have been golden. Next year I am definitely taking Honors because I believe I will be ready to do the extra recording parts. I will definitely be practicing much, much more next year so I can improve even more than I did this

Music equals life, or the saying goes. I feel if I had dropped out of band I would have missed out on a great experience. The ability to play music is something that will live on in you for the rest of your life. Unlike playing a sport you can't ever get worn out or injured and lose the talent. All through school I played sports from baseball to soccer, sure it was fun but it was never my calling, but just being able to play music for a live audience is a feeling that is so amazing there are not enough