Every marching band has a drill team- a dance group involved in the marching band. Bethel Park is known for being one of the oldest marching bands in the South Hills, which means we have high standards to live up to. When the band was created, the Bethettes were also created. They are known for having high knees, being sharp with every move, great smiles and energy, and always staying together. To be named Head Bethette is a huge honor and privilege, not only are you making routines, but you are also taking control and doing the greater good for the group. About a year ago, I made the courageous decision to become the leader of the Bethettes. Not once did I think I could do it, but with a little push, I could have done anything.
Walking into
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As I was walking to my spot I looked around the stage, almost developing tears looking down at the markings on the stage. I was thrilled to show them what I’ve been working on, but also nervous for it to all go to waste. The parade was the last thing on my mind, so I just put something random together last minute hoping it would work out. As I was standing at attention I went through it in my head many times, but it still didn’t feel like it was enough. I heard the whistle blow and yelled, “one, two, kick up,” articulated and precise. I started marching down the stage with all the confidence I had. I nailed the first half of the routine and had to turn around due to the length of the stage being too small and it was like my mind erased the routine from my memory. My smile fell off my face, and tears started to form in my eyes, but I wouldn’t let the fall. I started to improvise and repeat the same move and different variations of it. I then yelled, “halt, one, two” and thought I ruined my chances. I got ready to perform my feature. I could see my reflection in the light booth windows and pictured myself in my room, the only other place I would practice. I would watch myself in the mirror and critique anything that didn’t look right or things that didn’t add up. When I heard the music, it was like I wasn’t even there. I could see my pink walls surrounding me and my tall, white mirror hanging on the wall in front of me, and my clothes surrounding me.
What started out as a hobby transformed into a passion for an art form that allows me to use movements and expressions to tell a story. Whether I’m on stage in front of an audience of just friends and family, hundreds of strangers and a panel of judges, or the whole school, performing over thirty times, has helped me build lifelong
The marching band is directed by Kathleen Jacoby, she started managing the band six years ago. When being interview by a local newspaper, she describes how she felt when she started managing the band. According to Jacoby, “The band director I replaced had been here 30 years and it was very difficult to replace a legend.” She goes on to explain, “The Herndon community was suppor...
It is about who I am off the podium. For the past five years (I marched up as an 8th grader), I have been proving something to these people, so that they trust me in this position. The character of drum major or leader is one I have been perfecting since I was a freshman. For a long time I was just an actor trying to be a character. Eventually, I had acted the part so much that I became it, and it was my role. I give respect to receive it. I build real relationships of with members to achieve trust, accountability, and effort. When people are torn up inside because of their home life, which is quite frequent in Lenoir City Tennessee, I am their shoulder to cry on, or a set of ears to vent to, or a buffer to dull their anger. When people are frustrated with me for some reason, I seek them out and learn what I can do different. When there are five flavors of gum stuck to the floor of the band room at 11:30 on a Friday night, I get on my knees with a plastic fork and start scraping. When the band director constantly yells at me for this that and the other, I take into account the criticisms and practice harder. The band and the director see this character I have transformed into, or maybe the one I have always been, and that is why I have the honor of standing on the podium and wearing the gloves. I have become the band’s teacher, nurse, cattle driver, answer dispenser, and friend. Somehow, those all add up to leader. I refuse to let them down, rather I lift them
My older sister loved the marching band, so I always got dragged to their performances. I could not tell what was so appealing about it all; it consisted of walking on a field while playing instruments and flags being swung in the air. Participating in a marching band was never what I intended nor wanted to do. The idea bored me, but my mom insisted.
What changed my life the most was probably band. I've been in band for about 3 or 4 years now,and I really enjoy it. Band has helped me out in a lot of ways and will continue helping me until I no longer need help. In band, originally I wanted to be a percussionists like my older brother but they told me I was quite good on trumpet, so naturally I chose trumpet. I still play trumpet along with horn,baritone,etc..
Whenever kids join band, they typically have their mind set on the instrument they want to play, and for me, this was percussion. In sixth grade we had the opportunity to join band, and become part of prestigious and successful group at our school. I dreamt of being the lead percussionist and leading the band by keeping the beat and making sure everyone was always together. I had my heart set on percussion ever since I was little, seeing my uncle play drums, banging his head around wildly, hitting drumsticks so hard they broke, and having so much fun with it; I wanted to have that much fun, too.
I have confronted and challenged myself in other realms of my life. Last spring, in Harvard's Agassiz Theater, the lights were dim and the audience hushed as a cool cube of ice melted over my tongue. Through the crack in the curtain, I noticed my friends huddled in the rear of the theater. A moment later the music roared and I leaped on stage with my troupe. Dressed in our radiant costumes, we feverishly danced, skipped, and clicked our sticks in near perfect harmony.
Earlier on I had mentioned that I did not immediately consider myself for this position. One of the items that changed this is learning that the Drum Major is able to march with the band this coming year. I feel that by doing so, I would be viewed as a part of the band, and not just the kid on the podium. This is a very
When I was first elected as section leader in the TWCP Marching Band my junior year, I had a copious amount of hope in the people around me. Even though we did not share the same beliefs and interests, I felt that with my leadership position, I can still help those newer members thrive in band and make their time worthwhile. I was the first chair bassoonist in the top band and had placed well in multiple prestigious competitions, so I was confident in my abilities. This task was a relatively simple one for me. Always understanding of the younger students’ interests, I knew exactly how it felt to be in their position. Band was enjoyable for me, I lived for the competition
According to Martha Graham, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” To me, dancing is more than just a hobby, it is my life. My dance team is also more than just a team, it is my second family. Each girl on my team has her own unique personality, but somehow, we all get along well. We are all such good friends and have had to make it through many difficult situations already, but all it has done was bring us closer together. The girls on my team are all caring, talented, and funny.
At first I was apprehensive about marching band, but throughout the season I grew to absolutely love it, I loved how so many different people with different skills and one similar interest came together to make such an amazing show. It really was mindblowing how the first days of band camp was just the start that would end with such an amazing product. I am so excited to be apart of that again, and to hopefully be a leader and help my section be even better than they were this year. If I am chosen for leader I will improve my section by giving positive feedback, but also giving them ideas on ways to improve. I will make sure my section will be focused and hardworking.
I have tried to make both my school and my community a better place. I participate in a few group that try and help to better the community. First off, I am in National Honors Society. I volunteer with group activities and other volunteering opportunities such as unpaid elementary math tutoring. Second, I am almost finished my Eagle Scout Project, and this requires a lasting impression on your community. My project is about music and its effect on the elderly, and relating it to memory disorders, in hopes of improving their way of life. Third, most of my volunteering in the community is independent of an organization. I volunteer my violin skills to a group in need or a couple who does not have the money to pay some musicians. I donate my time
Once I let my thoughts return to the music, I knew what lie ahead of me. I tapped the nearest "big guy" on the shoulder and pointed towards the ceiling; the universal signal on the concert floor. He nodded, grabbed my foot, and pushed me on top of the crowd. Once I was up there was no turning back. Soon strong hands were surfing me towards the stage. I had the best view in the house and reveled in the moment. I was fueled by an adrenaline rush that was only heightened by the fusion of the music and the energy of the crowd.
Two weeks before school even started, the Hotchkiss High School Marching Band began its march to the state-qualifying competition in Delta. We worked four hours a day for five days, getting our fundamentals going and getting a feel for our new show. Once school did start, we started practice at 7:00 a.m. and went for two hours every day, working on music and marching. Our band was once again small (eighteen people!), but our sound was great. It was actually easier trying to teach a smaller group because of the difficulty of the moves we were attempting. Of course, I didn't help matters much by my trials of congeniality with the podium. I figured if I didn't fly off with flapping of my arms, then surely I would walk right off the stand.
I had my first dance recital on the day I turned four. Now I don’t remember anything from that day, but I believe that that day is when I learned I loved to perform. I’ve been taking dance lessons since then, and many things that I do now involve performing in some type of way.