GSA stands for the General Services Administration. This is an independent government agency concerned mostly with managing federal activities. The GSA has the responsibility of overseeing government buildings and land as well as creating policies and regulations. Additionally, the agency provides supplies and equipment to federal employees. A reason the GSA may matter to your small business is because it has developed GSA Schedule Contracts, which are agreements that simplify and expedite the government acquisition of commercial services or products.…
Holding truth today and in the past, attending classical concerts is hailed as a sign of both sophistication and style. Very reminiscent of 18th Century attendances at places like the Music Center at Strathmore, my noteworthy experience broadened my musical horizon. As a newcomer to classical concert-going, I was enthralled by the aural masterpieces and the alluring atmosphere. In partaking in the National Philharmonic's opening concert of the year at the Music Center at Strathmore, one experiences the warm ambiance of classical music in modern times while retaining its renowned value.…
I am a leader. I have all the qualities that make a great leader, but I was not born this way.Experiences and how someone reacts to those experiences are what truly make a leader. One of the most influential experiences I have gone through is called the Lebanon High School Marching Band. I am certain that I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for marching band. Before coming to high school I already had leadership qualities, but band helped bring all those great qualities together and helped me get past my two major flaws: my lack of self-confidence and the fact that I was probably one of the shyest people you would EVER meet. When I joined marching band, I spent most of my waking hours sweating and suffering alongside wonderful people that I longed to…
When I drum I lose track of time, the different types of rudiments put together in all different orders makes me happy. When I try to get faster at drumming I play to all sorts of songs. I’ll get lost for hours drumming. Over time I hope to join some of the best marching groups in DCI and WGI. I hope to join groups like Matrix, Phantom Regiment, or Blue Coats. When I want to learn more I’ll ask people like Mr.Reynolds or Dave our percussion instructors. My favorite part about drumming is how with the right touch you can make a bunch of loud noises and crashes become into beautiful music. I would like to learn how to play the actual drum set instead of just the marching snare. Over my marching band career I played lot of different pieces and…
Rachmaninoff stated, “Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.” Essential to all nationalities, generations, and people, music can make your soul soar, put you to sleep, or bring you to your knees in tears. All din and clamor goes silent. Every eye is riveted on the conductor. The baton lifts. Suddenly, in a myriad of melodies, harmonies, timbre, and texture, a whole new realm is unraveled. The extraordinary feeling of unwinding and renewing your mind by listening to the flow of music is inexpressible. Nothing compares.…
For seven years I have been part of some sort of musical group. Instrumentally I embarked on my musical journey by joining orchestra in fourth grade on the cello, and then trumpet from fifth grade until now, where I participate in as many band events as I can. I always sign up for extra playing opportunities, such as…
I have always been interested in piano. However, it has never been terribly easy. I can play piano by memorizing the notes or playing by ear, but I always have had problems reading notes.…
There have been numerous times in my life where I’ve failed at something but there was one specific failure that really opened my eyes to what it really meant to fail. When I was in high school, I was in the band, my instrument of choice was the saxophone. While in the band it is required that you learn your sheet music before you attend any school event. This is to ensure that everyone is doing their absolute best and will make cuts to perform in every function the band was asked to participate. As I mentioned earlier, I played the saxophone and had always made cuts until one day our band instructor issued out new music. Being the person I am, I glanced at the music and said “I see no need for me to practice this, it’s so simple”. Later that…
Bands of America was very cool this year! The bus ride went very well, only problem being that every bump hit would rewind the movie that was playing. Once we got there everything went very smoothly. I got to help the band moms put the hat boxes in order! Warm ups there were a lot of jitters in the air it seemed, but not bad ones. Waiting to get on the field was extremely nerve wracking. But, once we got on the field everything seemed nice and mellow, like we were back on the field at home, it just had a different crowd and background. I feel really good about the performance. We did the best we could do and our best got us third in our class! Heading to the hotel and getting to lay down and rest was very nice and much needed. The food was…
Before I had even started high school I hit a very deep depression. I struggled with it for years. I felt I had no family and no friends. It was a very hard time for me. I didn't enjoy talking about my feelings or being around people due to the fact that I felt I just annoyed those around me. Despite this, I continued doing what I loved most: music. I began marching band my eighth grade year and loved the feeling of being on the field in the lights when our assistant band director would come over the loud speaker announcing the "McClain Marching Tigers and Tigerettes". It helped me find and accept who I am. I gained confidence and learned to lead and understand. It even introduced me to my closest friend whom introduced me to his friend group, giving me the first group of friends I had in my life. I've met so many new people and learned so many new skills throughout my marching career and I look forward to finishing out my senior year with the people who have been there with me from the beginning.…
I would not be who I am right now without experiencing failure. The struggles and challenges I have faced have shaped who I am today. One of largest failures I had was when I failed my first class.…
Two years ago, on a cold Saturday morning, I prepared for my first ever track tryout. I took a shower, put on my clothes, and got into the car. On my way to practice, I felt strong physically, but I also had an undefined, jittery feeling about how the day was going to go.…
When asked in class every year which subject I admired the most, my answer was always “none”. Although the grades in my core curriculum classes were always excellent, I never found interest in the basic subjects. Math was a bunch of numbers with letters, science just reviewed our bodies and the how the world was believed to be through one scientist theories and history repeated itself, constantly. As a freshman, I contemplated tremendously over what major and career I would pursue for the rest of my life. I never knew there were more subjects than just science, English, math and history until the day my mother introduced me to unraveling my creativity in the summer.…
A light sweat trickled down my back as the sun’s rays were beating down on me harshly when Alexa and I arrived at Warner’s Stadium. It was the first football game of the season and I was here helping out the band in the concession stands. For the past few weeks, I have been trying to get Alexa to become a part of the marching lions with her siblings but she keeps on stubbornly refusing. I have brought her with me to talk to some of the members in the band, see how much fun they have, and how close they are to one another. Hopefully we can convince Alexa to join the band tonight.…
When I was younger, I was shy and quiet. I used to be afraid to talk to others and often kept things to myself. One summer, my parents enrolled me in piano lessons so that I had something to do. Initially, I was hesitant to join, but I soon began to appreciate music and its significant influence in my life.…