8th grade band students have been compiling a portfolio which reflects their learning throughout their four years of instrumental music. One option for students to demonstrate a connection between the musical and non-musical worlds was to write a one page essay talking about what extra-musical things they have learned from their time in band at DMIS. I will post a number of these as they come in. Today's example of excellence comes from Jennifer. The following excerpt is posted with permission.
Band has taught me so much, both musical and non musical. It shows you how to take responsibility If you never did, you wouldn't be able to reach your full potential. If you never practiced for your lesson, you just better not expect to get it done well. You also have to take responsibility because your band leans on you. Someone might ask how to do a fingering or at a concert you might end up off track leading your band mates off track.
Band also teaches you friendship. You can meet friends that there might have been no chance of you meeting. They stick with you through the whole year, and you have to learn to get along or you'll just dread going to band to see the person you abominate. Friends come and go, but band mates are forever. When you feel you're not getting a beat or note right, they can help you out.
It may even change how you act. You could think you're the worst, but the moment you're in band, you feel like you're weightless and nothing can bring you down. Or if you're bombastic about yourself, you can learn that you're not the best of anybody. I've learned that you can't be the person standing out all of the time.
In many ways, I've learned how to help out. Somebody might be gone, and I help out with what we learned last time. It helps in my other classes, because I don't help out just my friends. I help out all of my peers that ask me if I am able to answer their questions. If I can't, then I point out somebody that will be able to answer their question.
Many ways it can also help you stay organized. If you don't have any activities, you can think to yourself, "Oh, I'll do this in an hour." Then just keep repeating yourself. With more activities, you must have a mental schedule and manage to get everything you need to be organized. I've been able to memorize my schedule of everyday each week with it constantly changing.
Band has not only taught me, but many others that there are condquences with slacking off. You could play 50%, but you'll be drowned out by the others. You have to play to your full potential, and you'll get rewarded. Whether it's an A in the class or in the far, far future a standing ovation.
It has also shown me that you must be determined. You can't just join because your family forced you to. Join because your love is music and you want your knowledge of music to grow.
I am sure that in the future, I will learn more.