It all started back in 4th grade in the year 2004, an event that would impact my life to the highest degree. The class was having a mini talent show within the classroom, and two of my classmates went to the front of the room with their violins. They began to play, and the more I listened, the more I became hooked. I watched the bow slide gracefully over the strings, heard the melodic sounds that came from within the instrument that sent chills down my body. Upon hearing those notes emanating out of the instrument, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to play the violin. I wanted to get into music.
I sought out the orchestra director, Mrs. Matthews. The school year was already in full swing, but she still took arm measurements on me for my first violin and gave me private lessons at her house. I enjoyed those private lessons. She has always been one of the kindest, sweetest souls I know. With her tremendous help, I would ease into the orchestra, and eventually I would make my way into the rehearsal room. My stomach was full of butterflies, but I couldn’t wait to put my newfound talent to the test! Those first times playing with the rest of the orchestra members was a little challenging at first as I tried to keep up, but with time I managed, and I found myself really immersing myself in the music. Even today, I immerse myself so much that when the piece finishes, I’m surprised to find myself and the rest of the members in the rehearsal room. The outside world no longer exists. It’s just me, my instrument, and the music.
In 6th grade, I finally got my full sized violin! I still have her, my violin that I named Symphony, to this day. Mrs. Matthews remained as our orchestra director until early high school when she retired. I still remember feeling my heart sink at the news, getting tears in my eyes at the thought that she would no longer be our director. A student teacher that trained under her took over for a short time until we got another director, Mr. Starnes. I was still feeling apprehensive about having another director, especially since I still missed Mrs. Matthews. However, Mr. Starnes would become one of the most influential people in my life. Through his help and guidance, I was given the chance to spread my wings and take flight with my trusty violin by my side. I soared to first chair violin my senior year of high school, and was granted solos in concerts. I even won the National School Orchestra Award at the end of senior year, which is the highest award a grade school orchestra student can win, and I ended up getting my name on a plaque that sits on display in the school. Not wanting to toot my own horn or anything, but I was feeling pretty darn proud of that accomplishment, and still do whenever I look back on it.
Photo by my mom. Thank you, Mom!
Switching gears a bit back to when I was in 6th grade, the year when I joined band. In 5th grade, our class was given the opportunity to try out different instruments to see if we were interested in joining band. I tried the flute first, but no sound came out. Then I tried the clarinet, and one horrendous, out-of-tune note came out. Yep, this is the one!
Mr. Sampson was the band director at the time, and he did an excellent job at teaching the fundamentals. Doing band and orchestra at the same time helped speed up my knowledge and love of music, because I would use information I gained from one class and use it in the other. In 8th grade, Mr. Sampson transferred to another school, and we gained a new band director, Mr. Matthews, Mrs. Matthews’ son. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too keen on having a different band director. Being totally honest, none of us were, but it’s only natural. You get attached to your directors, and it’s hard to say goodbye to them. However, Mr. Matthews also grew to become one of the most influential people in my life. What seemed to really help solidify that was marching band.
Marching band started in 8th grade. I must say, it intimidated me a bit. How on earth was I going to play music while simultaneously marching around a football field? All I ever did was sit in a chair and read the music. Now I had to memorize the music, play the music, AND move around while playing the music.
Boy was I in for a treat.
Marching in a parade at Epcot in Disney World, spring 2010.
The feel of the drumline’s beats vibrating through your body all while the band hits just that right note gives such an adrenaline rush, and it’s only amplified while marching on the field in front of a live audience. I’ve had such good memories in marching band through high school and now university. The high school band is competitive, meaning it competes against other surrounding high school bands to go to State. When we did go to State two years in a row, it was one of the most exciting and jubilant times in my life thus far. I distinctly remember that anticipation when we stood at parade rest, waiting for the announcer to call out the ratings each band received at the end of a competition, hoping against hope that we get a ‘gold’ rating so we could move on to the next competition, all the way up to State. It made each of us closer, that anticipation and hard work put into each of our shows molding a stronger bond between the band. For the university, we just play at football games, but it’s still every bit as exciting, plus the amazing directing and guidance from our director, Dr. Griggs, just amps up the desire to do the best we can with every performance we give. I still get an adrenaline rush every time we go out onto the field to perform, or when we march in a parade. There was even a time when I took an interest in the Marine Corps band after seeing pictures of them marching in parades. However, my passion for wildlife and the west outweighed that interest, but I still continue to do marching band at UM. This part of me will never change.
Photo (c) Max Hill; GalileoLookedUp Photography
What this all leads up to is that my life would have turned out much differently if I had not taken an interest in music. My life has been dramatically impacted by the musical arts, from getting in touch with the right side of my brain (the more artistic, imaginative side), to meeting the majority of friends I have today. The vast majority of amazing people in my life is all thanks to that one day when I decided to try the clarinet for the first time. Music will always be a great part of my life, and will always hold a special place in my heart and soul. The day when my marching band days come to an end will be one of the hardest days I'll experience, that I am sure of. However, I can always look back on some of my greatest memories, and reminisce on how much music has influenced my life.
Photo by Max Hill
