Schooling Makes You Smarter Analysis

Marching band is a very hard activity. It’s fun but takes a lot of hard work, concentration and devotion. You have to have talent and the ability to follow directions when asked the first time. You have to follow instructions as if you were in the military. “They also follow directions like a military unit.” For example the conductor says stand straight and your shoe is untied. You cannot tie your shoe until told to do so. You have to wake up early in the morning to perfect the routines. You have to avoid greasy foods, wear sunscreen, and adjust to the heat, if you don’t you may get sick and/or burnt. “Caitlin, another band member, quickly learned to follow band director Mrs. Brooks's tips for adjusting to the heat. She also knows to avoid

When I first joined marching band after seventh grade, I missed the first summer practice to see a concert. At that time, I had no idea how much band would come to mean to me nor the unexpected amount of dedication needed. Before marching band, music was merely a casual thing, but it has transformed this old hobby into a greater priority. After just one season, this shift was noticeable. I certainly did not consider missing two days of a Disney World vacation to march at nationals when first reading the schedule. But this beloved sport worked its ways in a few short months. Through two marching seasons and a winter concert, band became one of the most prominent activities in my life.

Memories began to race through my mind as I started to look back at the time when I first joined the marching band. Coming into high school, I was not reluctant to try out new things, and marching band was an activity that would allow me to open myself up to others and develop a strong sense

Moments later I could hear the beating drums, and the electronic music sounding from all the speakers, no movement on stage besides the flickering lights. The crowd fell silent, awaiting the moment for Tyler Joseph (the lead singer) to enter the stage. The lights dimmed, the music stopped, the crowd grew stiff and the world stood still. Then, the sounds abruptly bursted my ears. I immediately remembered the song and sang along to it, even though my raspy voice hurt my throat, it was something to add

The first two or three sectionals of marching band, where you go and practice the marching music every Tuesday for four hours, were very awkward because I was by myself. Another flute showed up eventually and helped reduce the awkwardness. It was scary but it quickly became just something I did. Then the long hours, sunburns, dehydration, exhaustion, and fun started. We spent around six to seven hours outside marching, one to two hours practicing music, and one hour to eat lunch. To some people this might seem like nothing but for others it’s the opposite, and no

In Marching band, we have one rule we two rules we can never break. We cannot stop the mode of production, and we must always be determined, forever improving our marching and our academic studies. These two rules were meant to represent something bigger then ourselves, to not only think of us as an individual, but to fully comprehend that we have to better ourselves not only for our own sakes, but for the sake of the Band as a whole. We were taught to implement these two rules not only in band, but in our daily lives. This meant to be at our peak performance, all the time. If we couldn’t live to these standards, we would be kicked out. All of this made the Marching band become part of our lifestyle, which reflected our performance as a band

One of the most influential leadership roles that I have had the honor of holding is being the drum majorette for my high school and junior high marching band. Included in this role, I not only conducted the band, but I energetically gave constructive criticism, provided encouragement, and listened to my fellow band members’ opinions. Relating to John Quincy Adams’ quote, I implemented goals regarding to success for individual band members and the band as a whole, essentially supporting my members to “dream more” and to see the bigger picture. Junior high members who joined our band this marching season were granted the opportunity to attend a pre-session with our band director and I before the start of band camp. During this session, the band director and I taught them marching fundamentals and presented them with tips relating to memorizing music and how to sufficiently mark their maneuvers in their music. This session allowed the junior high members to catch up with the older members and ,substantially, “learn more”.

It was unbelievable considering our band was the smallest it’s been in years. I was sitting in awe, just amazed that we actually made it. But then it hit me, we would now have to perform in front of over a thousand people on a humongous turf field. This was the first time ever that I was nervous to perform our marching show. Slowly I put on my uniform for the last time of that season and I could feel the sweat from performing before still on the insides of my uniform. We got ready in our single file lines and waited for our turn. I remember waiting there and hearing the gigantic sound the band in front of us. They had twice the amount of people we did and I remember thinking: wow were going to get killed, there’s no possible way we will be able to beat three A bands that are twice our size. Then I got forced out of my thoughts when they announced that it was Lennox’s turn to go

When I first joined the marching band in high school, I was very insecure and unsure of what to expect because it was very unfamiliar to me. Near the beginning of the season, our director and staff began to teach us how to march and play simultaneously. Many people were doing fine but some were struggling and I was one of those kids in that predicament.

While participating in marching band, I have also gained many new experiences, friendships, principles, and musician skills. Deciphering music can be a challenge year to year, and each year the music has continued to expand my capabilities as a musician. Apart from the musical component, marching band has taught me true meaning of teamwork to achieve a common goal. Specifically during the last marching season, I learned the importance of

As I walk into the football field in this cool Saturday night, I am greeted by the beat of the drums and various instruments being blasted from each talented musicians. But instead of meeting with the band in the football field on a school night, we met at Kapolei High School for the 6th Annual Kapolei Marching Band Festival on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Our nerves were in excitement, but this year will be different. After our performance, I was convinced that we had performed to the best of our ability. As award time came around, we would find out if we performed the best in our division.

The lights shining onto the field. The sweat dripping down the sides of my face. The smile that stretches across my face as I realize that a season of hard work--all of band camp, the after-school and weekend rehearsals, the freezing winter games--led us to the championships. Marching band is more than marching and band--it is an organized system; it is a family. It is the very definition of teamwork, showing how so many individual parts can work together to form something greater. Leaving this team behind cracks my heart in two, but at the same time it swells with hope and anticipation for a future just like the glorious present I was able to experience during my four years of marching band.

I've been in marching band for four years, so you could say it’s a pretty big part of my life. I started in eighth grade and I joined the pit where I made a lot of new friends. I stayed in the pit for three years until this year. I switched to clarinet because pit just wasn't fun for me anymore. I'm glad that I switched because the girls in the clarinet section are all my friends now and I made lots of good memories with them. This year, our show was “Through the Woods” and it was fantastic. We worked so hard every moment that we could and had lots of fun together. It was a great group and we did really good. We made it to Semi-State again at Decatur Central High school, but on that cold October night, our name wasn't called when the announcer named off the bands that would go to State at Lucas Oil Stadium that next weekend. It was sad because we all thought that we had it in the bag.

Throughout high school, marching band and indoor percussion are my most fulfilling extracurricular activity, especially with being recognized as a section leader. With at least 21 hours of practice each week, marching band and indoor percussion not only showed the group and me the process of determination and hard work but also satisfaction through results. We have participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Hollywood Christmas Parade as well as consistently placing in the top 30 bands in the nations; similarly, the indoor percussion has placed in the top eight groups in the nation.

Sophomore year of marching came. This year was a surprise for everyone. With our show being named ‘Masterminder.’ The band members marching were under control by the color guard soloist; the puppeteer. This show was pretty exciting, too. The judges also thought that. We made it past regionals AND semi-state. What? Yeah, we all thought the same thing. We had made it. We had FINALLY made it after so many years of just trying to get past regionals for once. It was a bitter-sweet feeling waiting for placement awards at Lucas Oil Stadium. The instructors went around to each band student one by one. The congratulated us on an amazing season. I started tearing up, but that isn’t surprising. As we marched our way out of Lucas Oil Stadium that night, I knew that this was only the beginning of a new generation for the Marching Marksmen.