Adley J
When I walk in the band room it makes me feel like I’m walking into my home. I come into people welcoming me and laughing with each other. I know everyone’s name and the instruments they play. I can walk in and ask, “In measure 34, after the crescendo, what note is that? Is it an A or B-flat? Also, in measure 24, isn’t that an accidental E-flat? Or, is it just an E?” They will give me an honest response and never make fun of me for not knowing because at one point they didn’t know something too and had to ask for help. This is one of the great things about band, we all get to learn and work together with new people that I would have never met otherwise. Band gives me a whole different friend group with its own language: Music. Everyone has the same interests and we all enjoy doing the same thing, music. As a band, we all have to work together to get the work done. We encourage everyone to do their best and step out of their comfort zone. No one fights over who won or who lost. It’s not a competition, we all succeed as one or we all fail as one. Though the band now feels like family and a comfortable space to learn, it has also pushed me to try new things and go out of my comfort zone. When I first started learning to play the French Horn I was nervous, and I got frustrated very easily when practicing at home. I started taking lessons with Eden, a high schooler who also plays French Horn. Every Monday she teaches me new skills and techniques while also helping me learn my honor band pieces. With the confidence that I gained from lessons with Eden, I decided to challenge myself to do new things in band. At my winter concert, I volunteered for a speaking part. Adley of a year ago would have never gotten up on stage and talked in front of everyone. I would have rushed and talked so quietly that no one would be able to hear what I was saying. But thanks to band class I have been given a safe place to slowly crawl out of my shell and express myself. I knew that even if I stuttered a little or talked a bit too fast, none of my band friends would have ever said anything. This gave me the confidence to successfully speak in front of others and volunteer for a solo part. It may have been a 2 measure solo, but nobody cared. I had done something new and was trying my best. This new skill of “stepping out” was important when applying for the Northern Kentucky Sixth Grade Honor Band. I’m challenging myself to play with a whole different group of musicians and learn pieces from new directors. The Community, confidence, and musical skills I’ve learned in band make other areas of my life better too. Knowing how to read music and play an instrument means that I listen to music differently now. For example, when I listen to my favorite music, I find myself identifying the beat and then clapping or tapping along. I also find myself willing to speak up and lead in other parts of my life. I’m no longer as shy in class and I feel confident speaking to new people and making friends. Band has made me a better student and member of the community.
