I began participating in band in fifth grade, continuing even after friends began quitting the activity, which left me dubbed the "band nerd." By eighth grade, I had to make the decision of continuing band into high school or quitting as my friends had done prior. Continuing meant giving up half a year for competitive marching band. I decided to keep going.
Choosing to take part in my high school's band program has brought me a second home. I have learned how hard work becomes something beautiful through each marching band show. Learning a ten minute performance over the course of a summer seemed like an impossible task as a freshman. Nevertheless, I was determined to learn everything about this activity. I learned about what I am capable of through the demands of band. I never thought that I could memorize so much music, let alone play it while marching. Six months later, I played a fully memorized, ten-minute production filled with moving charts and choreography breaks. I also marched the New York streets with an array of music for the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Joining band has brought me my closest friends, who have become my home away from home. I knew nobody when I started and was nervous about making friends. Branching out, however, brought me a family. I have always been outgoing, but band taught me to push myself as a friend, leader, and member of a community, and for those reasons, I call it home.
Picture Credit: prospectband.com
