What’s New?
A Check in With BV Band and Orchestra Performers
Talk of what the band does after football season is not commonplace at Blue Valley. However, it is exciting for many participants, including senior and drum major Russell Franklin.
“We get to play concert pieces, and so that’s always fun,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the directors build towards doing another state convention performance or maybe another grand nationals appearance sometime down the road.”
Next year’s drum majors have been recently selected after a grueling process. First, selectees must attend informational meetings. Next, he or she writes an essay and receives peer reviews. Once the paper is reviewed, the candidate can move on to the next stage, which consists of learning the basics of conducting, performing a solo, and finally an interview.
A love for music is a must for drum majors. Evidently, Franklin plans to join the ensemble at the university he attends in the future.
“The band program has been really crucial in my personal development, even much more so than musicianship wise, like the lessons I’ve learned and, you know, the leadership experience I’ve had, that’s what’s really been the main benefit of the band program.”
On the other hand, the orchestra has been equally impactful for sophomores Alison Chung and Leonardo Appleton.
Both Chung and Appleton attended regionals and state and found it rewarding.
“We learned a lot about listening to each other and listening to the larger group in relation to ourselves,” Appleton said. “I felt like everyone was really tuned into not just the conductor, but how the sound was happening around them.”
Chung performed well too, making all-state and district as an underclassman.
“I think it’s interesting and more engaging to be in a group with a lot of people that are dedicated to music as much as you are,” she said.
Making Music
Focusing through Sound
How Music Affects our Society
Many say that listening to music helps their creative juices flow and makes them more inspired when creating––and I agree. While creating anything, either when writing or in photography class, if I have the option to listen to music, I will.
That is not for me to ignore people. Listening to music has a lot of benefits. It helps many people focus, and get into “the zone.” This mysterious zone is something creatives will say they get “into.” It’s described as a flow state––imagine something akin to a runner’s high, but for making art. When writing an essay, the words will just flow out, or the paint has ideas of its own, and this is generally where the best art is made.
It also has other benefits for stress reduction and management. School is often stressful, whether its friends, tests, or general work load. Therefore, relaxation is incredibly beneficial for students. Music helps all people; there is a reason massage places play music to try to help people relax.
Music can foster uniqueness and inspire all. Music is something so important to life. People who know how to play an instrument or make music are happier. “Music is good for the soul” is something you may have heard older people say, but they say it because it’s true! If you have ever sat around a campfire while someone was playing songs on a guitar, you will know why so many people say it’s good for the soul.
