11th Grade MP 1 Band Portfolio Update

THREE MUSICAL GOALS FOR JUNIOR YEAR

1. Tone- I have always had a weak tone due to a lack of confidence and air and I feel that if I get a more confident and clear tone I will have a better sound and be a better player. I could try to reach this goal only by being aware of air control while I'm practicing and gain confidence in my music by practicing more often.
2. Improvisation- I want to work on improvisation because I'm not the best jazz player because I was never in one and I feel that if I work on my skills with improvisation I will be a better jazz musician. The only way one can improve on improvisation is repetition, but I could also work with chord progression because I have yet to understand how that works.
3. Technique- I still have an issue with having a too strong tonguing technique and when I play fast my fingers sometimes go faster than my tongue. I could practice fixing this with scales every time before I practice and by being focused on how hard I hit the reed.

This picture is from region band. You can sorta see me.

ESSAY:

Music has shaped my life in many ways.  Just three of the ways are how it gave me friends, confidence and inspiration. A few days ago I was talking with a friend about where I would be without band. Everyone of my friends is in band and my life revolves around my practicing schedule, marching band practices, football games, concerts, lessons and sax quartet rehearsal. I don't use the phrase 'Music is my life' in a light way. When I'm not working on school work, I am working on music. Also, music is a natural high I can use to affect my mood. If I am upset about something I can lock myself in my room and play piano for fifteen minutes and instantly feel better. Music shaped my life by making me a better person.

final portfolio update

GOAL UPDATE:

1. My first goal was to get into SWE and I did so I guess my progress was good. I guess an update for this would be to earn my spot next year by working hard in the group.

2. My second goal was to play more musically. Of my three goals this is the one that I think I gained least in this year. If I am feeling confident, I play with more air but that doesn't necessarily make it more musical, just clearer and louder. I'm hoping to get better at this over the summer for festivals next year.

3. My third goal was to play more confidently. I'm pretty sure this whole year in itself was a confidence boost, and not just in music, so I do everything with more confidence now. To become confident this year I just went out of my comfort zone and decided that if I didn't try for things, like festivals, then I would probably regret it. I'm really glad I did that many times.

MUSICAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. I'd say getting into Region Band as a sophomore is pretty good haha.
2. I auditioned for jazz band (literally not even getting in). I guess I'm so proud that I even auditioned because I never had been in it before and jazz band was always something that made me scared because the music is loose and can be played differently than straight concert band music. Also probably the improv. Everyone says it's easy, but it was my first time and I'm just proud that I didn't freak out and run out of the room.
3. The sax quartet this year was really great. Honestly I'm probably the worst one there because I always try to be quiet and let like alto 1 or tenor play out when they have the melody but sometimes that makes me unheard. BUT we did sound good this year for only practicing a week, especially Max, so I think that's a pretty good accomplishment.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENSEMBLE:

To be in concert band, everyone has to have a part, I understand that, but to me, I feel that everyone's contributions are the same. It's different than practicing a piece you need to learn by yourself. In a band setting, not only do we all need to practice the music alone, but also practice it together and rehearse. I'm not sure if it was you or Mr. Laird that always said this, but it was 'Practice at home, rehearse at school'. It really makes sense because many people in band think they can just go and play and be ready, but they aren't. So practicing is huge. As a single person in the band one also needs to arrive at rehearsals everyday if they can and I think I've done well with that too. To the band this year, I've been a good contribution.

UPDATE BAND PROJECT YAY

(This is Mikayla McCord)

GOAL UPDATE:

1. Make SWE:
Well, I haven't had my audition yet, but I have worked for it, like listening to the pieces online and practicing every night. Considering I know the pieces well I think it will come down to how confident I am that day/how nervous I am.

2. Play more musically:
I have been working more on this. I think playing musically for me anymore doesn't have to do with memories so much anymore, just if I am feeling confident when I am playing. If I am confident about my playing during that practice session, playing feels really good and I enjoy it. But, if I'm not playing well then I don't really play musically. I still need to learn how to play musically all the time, not just when I feel like it.

3. Play with confidence:
I definitely have more confidence than I did at the beginning of the year, but I'd say my confidence still need a bit of work. Getting to Region Band is a huge confidence boost, so I'm playing off of that currently.



PIECES I ENJOY LISTENING TO:

1. Summer, Highland Falls by Billy Joel


2. Dreams by The Cranberries


3. Glory and Gore by Lorde


PIECES I ENJOY PERFORMING:

1. Flower Song by Gustav Lange

2. Rest by Frank Ticheli
(and Praise To the Lord but no youtube video :( )

LOCH LOMOND

Some elements present in this piece are mostly things that make the piece 'pretty'. Dynamics at powerful points in the piece make it sound powerful and strong, but at the softer parts dynamics make the piece sound more graceful. The tempo changes at intensity as well. To play this piece with the style the composer intended, I have to play with a lot of air at the loud parts and blend better when I don't have an important part. (because the saxes are so loud and amazing ;) ) I also have to 'feel' the music because the emotion of the piece is very sad.