Marching Band Research Paper

My Future in the BRHS Band Program When I joined the Bridgewater-Raritan program in August, I did not know what to expect. I knew that band was going to be hard work and a lot different than middle school. Personally, I think I have gotten more out of being a part of the program than I did in middle school, both with my skills and life lessons. I remember one of my first days when Mr. Markiewicz said that we would build an unbreakable relationship with our instrument. I have to admit that when he said that I giggled a little and said “yeah right” to myself. I hate to say it, but Mr. Markiewicz, you were right. I have grown to love practicing; I can feel my fingers responding faster, my air intensity increasing, and my mind becoming more alert whenever I pick up my clarinet. I can look back and see how much I have improved since the last note I played as an eighth grader, and I smile a little bit, knowing that this is only the beginning of my development in music. As far as band class goes, my
plan was to stay in the program for the years that I am in high school. I am not trying to be the best in the school, I just want to be a part of something successful and I want to be able to say that I got to the highest level of musical skill that I could have reached throughout high school. I think that if I need to get a certain amount of credits, why not do something that I am pretty good at and that I like to do. Marching band is one of the most exhilarating experiences that I’ve ever had.
I think that I owe most of my improvement the BRHS Marching Band. Being a part of an activity that demands you to be the best you can and then some made me feel like I was not a new student. Marching Band taught me a lesson that most people learn when they get to college, time management. “If you are on time, you are late, if you are early you are on time, and if you are late, get ready to run laps.” I have this posted on my bedroom door to remind me that time management is a key life lesson. Balancing the demanding schedule of band and school taught me to not procrastinate. It has also showed me that when you work at something really hard, there is not one thing that can stand in your way when you reach to grab it. I still remember the moment I heard the announcer say the name of our school at the state competition. I can’t describe the excitement I had when I heard that we beat
Immaculata. During high school, one of my main goals is to win three more times at the New Jersey state competition, so I could say when I leave the school saying that I contributed to its reputation. When we went to Indianapolis, Mr. Markiewicz said that we may come back. If we do go back there, my goal would be to make semi-finals, and maybe if a miracle occurs, make finals. After I graduate high school I plan on attending West Point the United States Military Academy, and joining their Concert and Marching band so I can continue my involvement in the musical arts. In conclusion, so far, my musical experiences in high school have been very good. Sure I have had had a couple bad times like forgetting my ligature, or forgetting my dot book, but Akio Morita said “Don't be afraid to make a mistake. But make sure you don't make the same mistake twice.” I have grown to almost live by that statement, especially when it comes to music. I hope that I have a successful four years in the BRHS Band Program.