Preview

Salem High School: Poem Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
496 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Salem High School: Poem Analysis
When it comes to playing the proverbial, "game," even Einstein knew that knowing the rules was not enough. I believe that in order to truly succeed in any endeavor, one has to apply their knowledge practically, be willing take risks, and operate proactively. Fortunately, I have always had a predisposition to learn with dexterity, so the rules have never been an obstacle for me. Playing the game, however, can potentially be challenging.

As a member of the music academy at Salem High School, I was always surrounded by intelligent and talented peers. The academy director was deciding who should conduct, "the finale," a musical piece performed by every student of the instrumental academy, when I expressed my interest in conducting the song. Unlike
…show more content…
Once the time came to decide on who would conduct the finale, the choice was clear. The director saw my potential and inclination to achieve greatness during our rehearsals and chose me over many other talented individuals. Over the course of the next two months, I alone spearheaded every rehearsal, often spending hours a day in the band room providing both artistic and technical instruction to an ensemble of roughly 140 members. It was not until then that I had realized how difficult it was to convey artistic choices to such a large group of students effectively, but I eventually overcame the many obstacles that my lack of experience presented and skillfully conducted the finale at our concert. The piece received a standing ovation from the audience, but more importantly, a profound emotional response from many members of the audience that manifested as both tears and elated shouts. My director commented that it was the most efficient and successful finale piece he had ever seen. Similarly, I recently placed first in a district-wide audition between all the high school tenor saxophonists across multiple cities for entrance into a symphonic band. Unlike almost all musicians of my caliber, I have not had to rely on private lessons from professional

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The fourth through eighth grade choristers enter onto the risers on the stage in organized rows, hands at their sides, shoulders back and aligned with nervous smiles across their faces. This is the students first time being adjudicated The auditorium is full of other students, teachers, and adjudicators from around the city ready to hear the product of weekly after school rehearsals throughout the school year. The chorus director looks around the auditorium and counts five former music instructors and the nostalgia of being that fourth-eighth grader on stage with those instructors floods the director's mind. She smiles, bows to the audience, turns, and gives a reassuring thumbs up to the bright, developing musicians in front of her.…

    • 692 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    SHS Fall Concert Essay

    • 626 Words
    • 3 Pages

    On the night of Monday, October 16th, I had the opportunity to perform as part of the Wind Ensemble in the SHS Fall Concert. The ensemble consisted of woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Our band presented two pieces in the concert: a program and an overture. Although we were not as prepared for the concert as I’d hoped, I opine that the wind ensemble performed rather successfully.…

    • 626 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Damn Fever Monologue

    • 674 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The summer before eighth grade, the music studio and I got intimate for the first time. I was 12 years old and I got my first solo piece. The moment my hands touched the brand new music sheet and speech, my chest lifted up as my teeth grew in sight with pride. I was going to perform “Heart” from the Broadway musical, Damn Yankees. The level of excitement brewing within me exploded as my anticipation excelled for the upcoming performance.…

    • 674 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Bob Hope Band Scholarship

    • 2129 Words
    • 5 Pages

    From his first steps on the vaudeville stage, to his last USO show, Bob Hope was entertaining. Mr. Hope was a comedian and an actor, yet he still reached an unmatchable caliber of musical ability. While his talents were far greater than mine, I still feel that there are many similarities between us. His love of music inspired me to appreciate its role in my life even more. Since I began playing the saxophone in seventh grade, music has been one of the centers of my life. I compete, perform and most importantly, practice on a consistent basis. The band program at my high school is poorly funded, and thus offers few opportunities in the way of musical challenges. However, because of my love of music and feeling of obligation to my classmates, I continue to be an active member and hold the position of drum major. To further challenge myself, I auditioned for and was accepted to the Louisville Youth Orchestra saxophone ensemble. This ensemble challenges my abilities and requires me to often seek help from my private instructor. While my performances with this ensemble may not be perfect, due to the level of difficulty of the music, I…

    • 2129 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I am a part of the Huntsville Community Chorus Youth Chorale. We are a choir made up of kids in grades 7-12. Last year we were invited to sing with choirs all over the country for Mr. John Rutter’s last performance at Carnegie Hall. We would be in the first act singing Gloria. It was an amazing honor for all of us. We spent lots of time preparing this song all year, and it was definitely a challenge. It was very difficult to learn a song of this complexity in a way that was worthy of a performance like this. On May 22 our choir got on the plane to New York, overflowing with excitement for the days to come. We drove through the city towards our hotel. We spent the rest of the day exploring Times Square. The following three days were filled…

    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    When the second week of February arrived, Kayla and I left Sioux Falls around six in the morning. Arriving in Brookings a hour later, we were driven to the campus and taken to a building with a large gathering room that held other schools whom had already arrived before us. We were assigned seats in specific sections—ranging from Bass, Tenor, Alto, or Soprano. Hours of practicing went by, and we had reached the last few hours of the day. Driven to a performance hall; we ran through all the songs once more before the final…

    • 96 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Every year, the University of Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville has a Student Dance concert put on by the students apart of the university’s dance program. This organization is an extremely diverse, unique, and talented group of dancers. The dance concert had nine different pieces that were all different styles of dance. All pieces were choreographed by different student dancers and had different themes and messages. Two pieces stuck out from the rest. These two were Today and Despondency.…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Kid Nobody Could Handle

    • 749 Words
    • 3 Pages

    <br>George Helmholtz, as the head of the music department at Lincoln High School, is very determined with his regular students and the gifted musicians of the band. Each semester and year at school he dreams of "leading as fine a band as there was on the face of the earth. And each year it came true". His certainty that it was true was because he believed there was no greater dream than his. His students were just as confident and in response, they played their hearts out for them. Even the students with "no talent played on guts alone" for Helmholtz.…

    • 749 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sweat drizzles down my skin as it exits my pores trying to cool my heated body. The blood rushes through my veins pumping blood with the consistent pounding of my heart. Every breath, every second, every action, every thought; I am standing where everything counts. Artificial turf and grass crumpled beneath my torn black shoes and the thick silence only cut by the timed chants from afar. This is the last moment I will stand here for this reason. This is the last moment I will stand here with my family. This is the last moment of my marching band career. Many will say that this was a special group of kids, others will say that this year was a show that was made to make it. I, on the other hand, will say that this was because of seven years of dedication.…

    • 956 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I began working with the team in selecting new music and choreographing a new routine. In the end, the team comprehended the new song selection more fluidly and performed seamlessly. More importantly, there was a heightened sense of enthusiasm within the team, which unleashed previously unseen creativity and innovation beyond my initial…

    • 435 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Our Director was Dr. Charles T. Menghini and his determined attitude and commitment to excellence was contagious. Becoming a student leader, I was afforded opportunities to teach my section along with other various small ensembles. I worked closely with our director in the preparation of music, organizing student events, and participating in student leadership training workshops. Valuable lessons were learned through partnering with other Band members, faculty, parents, and even the custodial staff as I worked side by side with Dr. Menghini. I quickly found my gift for incorporating the love of music and for leading people. By the middle of my sophomore year in high school I had decided to become a music…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I am honored to be given the opportunity to perform at this prestigious event with such a talented group of musicians. Unfortunately our director, Mr. Stringer, who made this dream possible, was offered a new job position and will not be conducting us at the festival. Receiving this news towards the beginning of the summer definitely affected my practicing. I was devastated to see him leave a program he worked so tirelessly to build. But the show must go on and I now practice more than ever to ensure that our ensemble serves his name…

    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I could not wait to see my name. My stomach dropped. It wasn’t there. I was sure it had to be a mistake or a typo. I hurried to my director’s office with tears forming in my eyes. “There has to be a mistake,” I said. She told me to sit down then said, “I have seen you dance, and I know you can give me more.” She proceeded to tell me that she had seen me grow up dancing, and would not take anything less than the best. I felt horrible, and even considered quitting the team, but she wouldn’t let me.…

    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jazz Concert Review

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages

    For my second live concert review I decided to attend a live event that was being held at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus on Thursday October the 25th. It was to be performed by students who are in an active jazz group at the school. The jazz ensemble consisted of three consistent musicians with a different vocal artist for each song. The director of the recital was Dr. Timothy Brent who was also the pianist for the evening. On the bass was a man by the name of the Dale Posey. The final member of the group was Rodolfo Zuniga…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    If that were not enough, there were over 150 of us. We sang advanced level works: some traditional, some contemporary. We even sang one piece that was Latin. This was a very encouraging part of the whole experience for me. I had never considered myself a good singer before this. However, after singing alongside these wonderful, talented singers who were deemed my peers, I now feel more confident in my singing ability and sing more often than I used to. It had always been a personal goal of mine to play in a full symphony orchestra, which is comprised of string, wind and percussion instruments. Playing in concert bands and chamber groups was never enough. Needless to say, my goal was achieved when I joined this orchestra. There were…

    • 524 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays