Personal Narrative: How Marching Band Changed My Life

Before I had even started high school I hit a very deep depression. I struggled with it for years. I felt I had no family and no friends. It was a very hard time for me. I didn't enjoy talking about my feelings or being around people due to the fact that I felt I just annoyed those around me. Despite this, I continued doing what I loved most: music. I began marching band my eighth grade year and loved the feeling of being on the field in the lights when our assistant band director would come over the loud speaker announcing the "McClain Marching Tigers and Tigerettes". It helped me find and accept who I am. I gained confidence and learned to lead and understand. It even introduced me to my closest friend whom introduced me to his friend group, giving me the first group of friends I had in my life. I've met so many new people and learned so many new skills throughout my marching career and I look forward to finishing out my senior year with the people who have been there with me from the beginning.
I couldn't imagine how different my life would be without marching band. Actually, I might be able to. I would be friendless, insecure, unable to lead, and left with few high school memories. I remember when my band went to Kings Island for their "Trills and Thrills" competition. Just as we were about to go home it began to downpour. Everyone was completely soaked, one kid vomited so we had to put down the windows on the bus, we were all freezing cold and ended up getting sick, but it's something I will always laugh about. I can also recall going to the University of Cincinnati Band Day and learning new games with the other bands and then when my reed broke just as we were about to walk out onto the field and I cried and cried. No matter how bad that moment was, I will always remember it. Those were the best moments of my high school life because they were spent with some of the people I love