Rest of Essay 2

One thing hasn’t changed in the all the years I’ve been in band and has become quite clear. Issma judges are completely corrupt. Every year, we just barely miss going to State finals, while other bands who are less worthy of finals, go instead. How State works is at prelims, the top five bands at the North regional and the top five at the Southern regional make up the top ten and compete in Indy. Bernstein missed State by one-tenth of a point. One-tenth! Outrageous!  As angry as that made us, nothing prepared us for Easter Symphony. We had a great performance the night of prelims. Come time to announce placings and who made it, everyone had the biggest knot in their stomach. Turns out we didn’t make it. We originally scored third place, but one of the judges completely screwed up every single bands scoring. She had us in ninth place while all the other judges placed us much higher. No one caught this until afterwards and once the top five were already announced and drew their performance time slot, too late to change it. We did however get her fired. This year at prelims, we had the most awesome performance and everyone was so excited about it and thought for sure we’d make it. Yet again, we miss it. Instead, Carmel had the highest score, even though they played ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ in their show. That was the most infuriating thing. Every year, Carmel gets worse and worse, while we’ve improved immensely and yet they always win everything. Corruption is everywhere in Issma. It’s our senior year this upcoming season and I am more determined than ever to make it to state. We deserve to be there.

I’ve grown up quite a bit since freshman year. I handle things a lot better. I can deal with stress. I’m much stronger emotionally as well. I endured a lot of petty drama within the first year and have learned since what’s important enough to get involved in. Mr. Harmon always said that band teaches you life lessons and he wasn’t kidding. Band teaches you how to be responsible for yourself and your actions, prioritize, time management, become a better listener and do what you’re told, and self-confidence among others. Band has given us a safe haven, a place where we belong no matter what. It proves that yes, pajamas are a fashion statement and will never go out of style. I know there are people who’ll always be there for me because they’ve seen me at five in the morning and they still love me. Band has given me a reason to leave the house and really appreciate it when I get home. It’s also a creative outlet and lets you express any feeling without violence. It’s made me optimistic and has shown me that it can be ninety-five degrees out, I’m burned to a crisp and my shoes are melting onto the ground but I can still have fun. It’s taught me respect and that legacies are won and lost on a 100 yard, semi-flat grassy area in less than ten minutes. Band’s taught me that no matter what anybody says, there are other people who appreciate band as much as I do, and they will stand by me if others don’t.
            Band has given me a life, a form of life that no one but us “band people” will ever know. So what if it seems dumb, we don’t care if you don’t think it’s cool. In twenty years, when we come back to the reunion, all the “band people” will still know each other, and everyone else won’t. To some of us, is more then just a fine arts credit or a hobby. It’s what we do, what we love to do, and what we will do even if you don’t want us to. I’ve learned to take pride in myself and what I believe in, even if others don’t like it. Band is realizing that anyone and anything has potential, if there’s only someone there to develop it. I’ve realized there are too many conformists in the world already. I know that those who make their own music will never, ever dance, walk, or live by anyone else’s beat. I’ve learned to never be afraid of a new experience. When the world answers your questions with silence, you give it back music, and you have no more questions.

Even though band wears you down, and you’re too sore and exhausted to even move sometimes, There’s no feeling like coming off the field, dripping with sweat, knowing you did your absolute best and the hard work paid off. Life is like a garden. You have tend to it daily, see it grow and sometimes you need to pull out the weeds before you can get to the beautiful flowers. I can honestly say that I can’t imagine who I would be if I wasn’t in band. Everything has revolved around it for these past years. Before high school, I wasn’t sure if I’d be ready for college when the day came. Now, being the person I’ve become, I can take on anything. I’m ready for what life has to offer and I can’t wait.

ps: I have no idea why the background is white. I’ve tried getting it off. If you know how, lemme know. B/c it bothers me greatly