First draft, first prompt
Prompt:
Discuss an activity, interest, experience, or achievement in your life (this could be a book, movie, or an activity or experience at work, home, or school) that has been particularly meaningful for you.
Answer:
Among the most amazing and enlightening experiences in my high school career, the ones that most often pop into my mind are the ones centered around my time spent with various musical activities here at Fort Walton. I myself am a leader of the band, serving as the saxophone section leader this year, and as last year's band historian. It is such a shock to be where I am now, a leader and a valued player, considering where I was four years ago.
My freshman year I made the transition from a saxophone that was about the same size as me to an alto (a smaller, mid-range horn). I was also thrown into an environment filled with people who were totally in love with what they did, and the idea of loving music so completely was foreign, and a bit strange, to be honest. In middle school, I tended to be rather apathetic when it came to my music studies; I didn't know my scales, I never tried out for honor bands. To be honest, I just didn't care. Band was just a class, like English or History. Only, English and History were more fun.
But in high school things changed. I was in the care of two men who loved what they did and wanted to share that with each and every kid sitting in that room. They accepted everyone's strengths and weaknesses and made the two play on one another to better that person. They also knew how to put the pressure on. I have become so dependent on their approval of so many things, not just music-related, that I do believe my parents are a little jealous.
During that first semester of high school I studied with Mr. Laborde in concert band, which is the lesser of the two major wind ensembles that our school offers. He tended to my confidence, which was less than secure, and made sure that I was comfortable with my surroundings. However, during my second semester I was shifted into symphonic band, the other ensemble, and was shocked out of my mind. I went from terribly easy music that I played better than most in the classroom to music that I still couldn't read after two months of playing it. But I was hooked.
For one, we had an awesome band trip that year, traveling to Chicago and seeing tons of neat stuff. We even went to a Blue Man Group show! But the Chicago trip was one of my first major trips, and the first trip where I ever played for an audience. And, being the cocky saxophonist I am, I loved it. Nothing is quite as exhilarating as looking off the stage at people who actually care and enjoy what you're doing up there.
Another factor that entered the scene was Mr. Folsom, the head director. And my dad-away-from-dad. This is the man whom my date and I went to see before prom one year. At his house. He is also the man who has helped me realize that if I enjoy something, I should enjoy it to the fullest! It's asinine to waste talent and drive on something that doesn't make you as a person happy. This realization, or epiphany, made me realize that I loved music. It captured so much that I wanted to say, or had said, or felt, or wanted to feel. At that point I also started to get excited about it. I became the personification of the stereotypical band geek that no one thinks really exists.
Now I'm volunteering at the local middle school, trying to encourage all of the kids there that there is something to be said for sticking with it. And I love it! There are so many talented people there, and they have the drive and determination that I lacked, and knowing that I might in some way be fostering that and giving them something to work for it amazing. I know for a fact now that I want to teach this love and enthusiasm for a living, because letting people miss out on it would be a crime.
God. Dramatic and crap. Ugh, but it's 2 AM, so I think I'm allowed a little bit of leeway.
Some helpful criticism would be absolutely lovely. Seeing how I have to have the final draft in by Oct. 1st.
kthnx.
-Kathryn out
Discuss an activity, interest, experience, or achievement in your life (this could be a book, movie, or an activity or experience at work, home, or school) that has been particularly meaningful for you.
Answer:
Among the most amazing and enlightening experiences in my high school career, the ones that most often pop into my mind are the ones centered around my time spent with various musical activities here at Fort Walton. I myself am a leader of the band, serving as the saxophone section leader this year, and as last year's band historian. It is such a shock to be where I am now, a leader and a valued player, considering where I was four years ago.
My freshman year I made the transition from a saxophone that was about the same size as me to an alto (a smaller, mid-range horn). I was also thrown into an environment filled with people who were totally in love with what they did, and the idea of loving music so completely was foreign, and a bit strange, to be honest. In middle school, I tended to be rather apathetic when it came to my music studies; I didn't know my scales, I never tried out for honor bands. To be honest, I just didn't care. Band was just a class, like English or History. Only, English and History were more fun.
But in high school things changed. I was in the care of two men who loved what they did and wanted to share that with each and every kid sitting in that room. They accepted everyone's strengths and weaknesses and made the two play on one another to better that person. They also knew how to put the pressure on. I have become so dependent on their approval of so many things, not just music-related, that I do believe my parents are a little jealous.
During that first semester of high school I studied with Mr. Laborde in concert band, which is the lesser of the two major wind ensembles that our school offers. He tended to my confidence, which was less than secure, and made sure that I was comfortable with my surroundings. However, during my second semester I was shifted into symphonic band, the other ensemble, and was shocked out of my mind. I went from terribly easy music that I played better than most in the classroom to music that I still couldn't read after two months of playing it. But I was hooked.
For one, we had an awesome band trip that year, traveling to Chicago and seeing tons of neat stuff. We even went to a Blue Man Group show! But the Chicago trip was one of my first major trips, and the first trip where I ever played for an audience. And, being the cocky saxophonist I am, I loved it. Nothing is quite as exhilarating as looking off the stage at people who actually care and enjoy what you're doing up there.
Another factor that entered the scene was Mr. Folsom, the head director. And my dad-away-from-dad. This is the man whom my date and I went to see before prom one year. At his house. He is also the man who has helped me realize that if I enjoy something, I should enjoy it to the fullest! It's asinine to waste talent and drive on something that doesn't make you as a person happy. This realization, or epiphany, made me realize that I loved music. It captured so much that I wanted to say, or had said, or felt, or wanted to feel. At that point I also started to get excited about it. I became the personification of the stereotypical band geek that no one thinks really exists.
Now I'm volunteering at the local middle school, trying to encourage all of the kids there that there is something to be said for sticking with it. And I love it! There are so many talented people there, and they have the drive and determination that I lacked, and knowing that I might in some way be fostering that and giving them something to work for it amazing. I know for a fact now that I want to teach this love and enthusiasm for a living, because letting people miss out on it would be a crime.
God. Dramatic and crap. Ugh, but it's 2 AM, so I think I'm allowed a little bit of leeway.
Some helpful criticism would be absolutely lovely. Seeing how I have to have the final draft in by Oct. 1st.
kthnx.
-Kathryn out