prettieinpink066's blog

One time at band camp, has never misrepresented dedicated musicians everywhere. Let me just say one thing: we band geeks, have more to us then marching band uniforms and our instruments. Highschool stereotypes have always been present, and well the members of the band crowd are always underappreciated naturally. I have come to terms with that. Times are a changin though- band doesnt consist of the most unathletic kids in school, or the "smarter kids". Statistically I am sure that these kids are on the smarter side but when we talk about being physically fit: don't be fooled. Statistics have shown that a drummer's pulse can match that of a track star, one has to go through the same physical process as all sports, and those with heart, back, physical conditions are ineligible for the most part just like regular sports. Not to mention, how we are assumed inferiority by the rest of the school. But there is so much more to being in the band. I am in several( if not like all of them except one) music groups at school; marching band, indoor drumline, jazz band, wind ensemble, you name it. Through the 4 years I have been at high school I have learned so much more then the average student. The struggles of being part of a team, being a leader, working hard, winning, losing, etc: are now instilled in me and the person I was back in freshman year is totally different. I feel like it has prepared me for the real world, and that I can endure much more stress then the average high school student. I also play girls tennis, so I know what its like to be in sports... but marching band is so much harder for me... I get mentally strained and physically strained and the combination of the two can drive people insane. Dont get me wrong it takes brains to play tennis as well, but the degree of mental strain is so different. I guess I just want everyone-even like one person- to realize the respect that should be given to everyone. I sit and wonder who I would be friends with if I wasn't in the band... Maybe it's irony that my best friends (of course musically involved) have similar morals as I do, but I wouldnt want to enter the real world thinking I could only be friends with band people cause I know that is not true.

My best friend, is one "influencial trendsetter". Everything(music) he listens to has to be cool. So naturally when the new Fall Out Boy CD came out last year, the two of us were all over it. Not many people had even heard of them then and we had liked them since their first debut CD; so we were in our own little world singing along to the CD. Months later, Fall Out Boy hit TV and radio stations: tweens hit the TRL scene voting for them every chance they got. It was like a boy band fiasco. We had already listened to the songs a million times, so hearing them on the radio got monotonous. I guess this is what they call "hitting mainstream", and because of that he lost a bit of respect for FOB and I admit so did I... but now whenever anyone says anything about them or he hears someone singing their songs he will make gestures of disgust when a year ago we had been like 2 kids following a disney sing along video. It just saddens me that he can start 'hating' them just because they went mainstream. The music is STILL THE SAME as it was last year, and well now more people appreciate it, thats all. I just wish he would see this, and rather then be disgusted be happy that other people are appreciating the good music that we used to enjoy last year. Every band wants to hit it big and he himself is in one. They are making the music for the people, not him.

I am fairly active in my public highschool. I play girl's tennis in the fall, I'm in the marching band, the french club, and fccla (a club dedicated to better the students through teaching leadership skills). If anything Im artsy fartsy and maybe a bit geeky, but I can befriend any person that gives me a chance. But nonetheless... when the school budget didn't pass this year I wasnt really surprised. The music program had already be deduced to penny savings and the drama program was basically cut. Both had to raise their own money to be able to continue the program itself... while the sports teams swim in new uniforms and warm ups every other year. For a school where the sports teams dont rank top locally and where the performing arts program soars, we are dead out of luck. The accomplishments of the performing arts students are not recognized at all (maybe it might be because of the numerous former PE teachers and COACHES running our administration), but in all seriousness lets be realistsic. Maybe it selfish to want a small share. Maybe its selfish to see the PROGRESS and the numerous trophies that line the band room, and want compensation or maybe even a congrats. If our band director didnt TELL the administration about all of our wins and our medals and trophies... we'd just be dust in the corner.

Im a Japanese American myself, I've been raised by two parents born in Japan but really I feel like I am inclined to become more "Americanated" or "normal". I am inclined to feel this way I think, because of the way some of the kids at school act towards me. Im smart enough to know that I shouldnt care about what others think or how others perceive me but we all have to admit it gets to us one time or another.