Musical Career Progression

Music has the ability to change a person’s life forever. The South Western music department has impacted my life since I started music at the elementary level. As the directors and upperclassman taught me the true essence of leadership and musicianship, I made it a goal to do the same for the underclassman as I progressed through my four years of high school. By being involved in multiple music ensembles, leadership roles, and community events, I have aspired to spread my love of music to those currently surrounding me and to those who will surround me as my musical career continues.
Throughout my four years of high school, I have always enjoyed being involved in as many music ensembles as possible. Each group helped me grow as a musical leader
and as a musician. One of the hardest but most rewarding ensembles that I was a part of was the pit orchestra for the musical. As the pianist, I was able to help both the orchestra and the vocalists by communicating tempos and by running warmups. Musical also helped me grow as a pianist and accompanist in general. I have accompanied our high school choir since my freshman year and I enjoy helping Mrs. McKee during rehearsals. I help the choir President warm up the choir when Mrs. McKee isn’t there and I also sometimes play the vocal parts throughout the rehearsal. As a freshman, I entered high school knowing that I wanted to be a part of the leadership team to leave a legacy of hard work and excellence behind. Throughout my freshman and sophomore year, I led by example as I undertook the roles as Freshman and Sophomore Representative in our Band Council. I then auditioned for mellophone section leader my junior year and continued my role in Band Council as Secretary. I enjoyed being able to affect others’ lives by becoming a role model similar to the role models I followed my freshman and sophomore years. As section leader, I focused on teaching my section to value respect and teamwork. I was able to influence them during musical sectionals and marching block. Marching block was also a great chance for me to be able to inspire the band as a whole. I decided to audition for drum major my senior year in order to constantly influence the band as a whole. I was paired with one of my childhood best friends who shared my inspiration for change. We installed workout plans to improve the overall stamina of the band while also creating a family environment for the members of the band. Without the inspiration of my freshman and sophomore year role models, I never would have auditioned for the leadership roles I filled. I hope that my legacy inspires the upcoming juniors and seniors to become great leaders who always strive for excellence.
My first year as an officer in Tri-M was as the Secretary. That year I organized an event called the Tri-M Family Picnic which inspired me to continue as an officer and grow the program. I was elected President at the end of my junior year with a great team of officers. Together, we started to plan new events in the hope of uniting the members of Tri-M and in the hope of musically inspiring the whole student body of our high school. Wanting to properly acquaint the group with the new inductees, we planned a fun event that the members could enjoy. The event included many games and activities as well as having time to socialize. Having successfully united the members, our next goal was to unite the music department with the rest of the school. Our newest event, Mustang Idol, was the beginning of music truly reaching the rest of our school.
While involving the student body was a huge success for Tri-M, we started to focus on our alumni and community.
We organized an event called Jacob’s Army to raise money for a Marching Mustangs alumni who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. I had the honor to chair this event and work with our current drumline in order to raise awareness for Jacob’s situation and bone cancer overall. Tri-M also spread our love of music by hosting a recital at Homewood for Homewood’s residents. This was a great way to directly reach the community while demonstrating musical excellence. The best part of that event was spending time to visit with the residents after the recital portion and talk about their life
experiences.
As I made it a goal for Tri-M to reach out to our community, I made it a personal goal as well. I started to play piano for the Utz Terrace residents every other Sunday during their church services. I continued to enjoy visiting with the residents as I learned about their own music careers and how music has constantly been a part of their life. Having recently decided to not major in music, the residents’ stories showed me that music will always be a part of me no matter where my career leads me.
As I faced transition into college, I decided to keep music in my life by minoring in music while pursuing my dreams to become a part of the United States Air Force.
I plan to participate in multiple music ensembles at Baylor University throughout my college career. Even as I graduate college and move forward in my military career, music will play an important role in my life. Even though I will not participate in the Air Force Band, I plan to participate in small musical ensembles that are formed on bases. Both the officers and enlisted form brass quintets and full band ensembles to play for the communities surrounding their base. There will be endless opportunities for me to continue both my horn career and my piano career. These small groups are essential to the military because they help spread patriotism through inspirational songs and patriotic marches. As I become a part of a community, I will also have opportunities to play in local orchestras and church ensembles. I am excited to continue to spread the joy of music while also serving my
country.
My time in the South Western Music Department has given me a love and passion for music that has forever changed my life. As all of our music directors in our district continue to inspire greatness in us, I am honored to continue on to Baylor University as a South Western Music Department alumni.