Jazz Application Essay

On a cold December afternoon, a shy 10 year old waited with her family in a quaint restaurant. She sat nervously wondering if she could play in front of all these people. What if she made a terrible mistake? What if she cried? What if she couldn’t perform? These are the questions that consumed her mind. With encouragement from her mother, the girl hesitantly approached the electric piano. Opening to the page of her first song, she placed her fingers and began her elementary Christmas song. She submerged herself in the music she created. When the song ended, the patrons responded in applause and looked on in wonder at this girl’s talent and ease. At that moment, the young girl realized she wanted to pursue music as a career. For me, that little girl, nothing has changed since.
My love for performing started on that December afternoon when I played piano in my lesson teacher’s restaurant.
As section leader of the clarinets at Mukwonago High School’s top band ensemble, I am expected to guide my section to success. I lead sectionals and help the other clarinet players with high notes and intricate rhythms. We go over how our parts connect with each others and how they connect with other sections in the ensemble. Aiding younger members of my section helps both me and them to grow musically. I also help lead our jazz combo at school. In a team effort, we express our ideas on phrasing and how we can evoke emotion through the notes and rhythms to the audience. When we share our thoughts and ideas with each other, we promote a friendly and accepting atmosphere that we then take to our other classes. In our marching band I may not be section leader, but I lead by example as one of the strongest mellophone players. By memorizing my music and executing my location in our formations, I set myself and those around me up for success. With all of this teaching and performing experience, I am ready to move on to