Pep Band Reflection
For my entire high school band career, pep band has always been one of my favorite parts of the class. This year, I have been very committed to playing in the pep band, whether it was in required games or volunteer. This year, I have played in almost every single pep band game, both volunteer and required. I'm a cheerleader, so I do my best to play whenever I have the chance. I play in the pep band whenever I can for multiple reasons. One of those being that there are only three altos, and we often have important parts in songs. I also love playing modern and uplifting music using my instrument. It is a lot of fun to set up the stand and play for the audience during the games. I think if I had to grade myself on my contribution to pep band, I would get an A. I think this because I played every game, even volunteer ones, when I didn't have to. I also did my best to play whenever I had the chance, being a cheerleader and all. I also have improved my pep band playing skills this year, in new songs and old ones. I think I deserve an A in my contributions to pep band.
I believe that Pep band is a very important element of Newark band. I believe this because It gives the band a chance to play something that we're familiar with. It takes our performing to the next level, with songs from modern bands, or music people know and can sing/dance along to. If we didn't have this, I honestly believe we wouldn't be so enthusiastic towards playing band and coming to games. I believe that pep band challenges us to expand our abilities and range. A lot of the songs that we play are more complicated than we care to admit, but it helps us improve our playing and our ability to recognize a song and be able to put in your part in order to make it sound well. Pep band also gives us a chance to perform more outside of concerts. Since we only have two concerts per year, it is helpful to have small performances for crowds, even if it is just for a basketball game. These are the reasons of why pep band is important to Newark band.
If I had to chose my top three songs for pep band, they would be Living on a Prayer, Crazy Train, and 25 or 6 to 4. I picked these songs because they are my favorite to play. Each of these songs incorporate the alto in their own way, and they challenge my playing abilities. Crazy Train had a lot of notes and a lot of complicated measures that challenge how fast I can switch notes while still keeping good tone. Living on a Prayer really tests my ability to play louder, since we have the melody for a good part of it. 25 or 6 to 2 honestly is one of my favorites because I love the way it sounds when we play it. There are parts of the song that make it fun, but challenging to play. This is why these three songs are my favorite to play. My bottom three would have to be the Fight Song, Best of Queen, and Party Rock Anthem. In the Fight Song, I can never keep time, and I always end up losing my place in it. I also don't 100% know how to play it, so when we play it, it's not as much fun or as challenging to me. Best of Queen is in my bottom three because quite frankly, I find it to be really anti-climatic. I don't think it's a very fun song to play and it is too soft for me.
One song that I improved in this year would have to be Crazy Train, measure 5. I think this because when we had to learn this, I was really overwhelmed by the notes we had to play. However, I have practiced a lot and I have mastered these measures and I can now play them without trouble. It actually is now one of my favorite songs to play during pep band.
If I could add a song to our pep band song list, it would have to be Panic! at the Disco's song Death of a Bachelor.
For my entire high school band career, pep band has always been one of my favorite parts of the class. This year, I have been very committed to playing in the pep band, whether it was in required games or volunteer. This year, I have played in almost every single pep band game, both volunteer and required. I'm a cheerleader, so I do my best to play whenever I have the chance. I play in the pep band whenever I can for multiple reasons. One of those being that there are only three altos, and we often have important parts in songs. I also love playing modern and uplifting music using my instrument. It is a lot of fun to set up the stand and play for the audience during the games. I think if I had to grade myself on my contribution to pep band, I would get an A. I think this because I played every game, even volunteer ones, when I didn't have to. I also did my best to play whenever I had the chance, being a cheerleader and all. I also have improved my pep band playing skills this year, in new songs and old ones. I think I deserve an A in my contributions to pep band.
I believe that Pep band is a very important element of Newark band. I believe this because It gives the band a chance to play something that we're familiar with. It takes our performing to the next level, with songs from modern bands, or music people know and can sing/dance along to. If we didn't have this, I honestly believe we wouldn't be so enthusiastic towards playing band and coming to games. I believe that pep band challenges us to expand our abilities and range. A lot of the songs that we play are more complicated than we care to admit, but it helps us improve our playing and our ability to recognize a song and be able to put in your part in order to make it sound well. Pep band also gives us a chance to perform more outside of concerts. Since we only have two concerts per year, it is helpful to have small performances for crowds, even if it is just for a basketball game. These are the reasons of why pep band is important to Newark band.
If I had to chose my top three songs for pep band, they would be Living on a Prayer, Crazy Train, and 25 or 6 to 4. I picked these songs because they are my favorite to play. Each of these songs incorporate the alto in their own way, and they challenge my playing abilities. Crazy Train had a lot of notes and a lot of complicated measures that challenge how fast I can switch notes while still keeping good tone. Living on a Prayer really tests my ability to play louder, since we have the melody for a good part of it. 25 or 6 to 2 honestly is one of my favorites because I love the way it sounds when we play it. There are parts of the song that make it fun, but challenging to play. This is why these three songs are my favorite to play. My bottom three would have to be the Fight Song, Best of Queen, and Party Rock Anthem. In the Fight Song, I can never keep time, and I always end up losing my place in it. I also don't 100% know how to play it, so when we play it, it's not as much fun or as challenging to me. Best of Queen is in my bottom three because quite frankly, I find it to be really anti-climatic. I don't think it's a very fun song to play and it is too soft for me.
One song that I improved in this year would have to be Crazy Train, measure 5. I think this because when we had to learn this, I was really overwhelmed by the notes we had to play. However, I have practiced a lot and I have mastered these measures and I can now play them without trouble. It actually is now one of my favorite songs to play during pep band.
If I could add a song to our pep band song list, it would have to be Panic! at the Disco's song Death of a Bachelor.