Thinking about the process and product of your Capstone, reflect upon what you are most proud of and what you might do differently if you were to complete a similar project in the future.
I decided my freshman year after watching Bailey Kane's capstone performance that I wanted to complete a capstone. And now I am finally here and am completing said goal. I am very proud of myself to even get to this moment, but the thing I am most proud of is how much time I put into writing and arranging during, and before this project. I started preparing for this project my freshman year when I was told about a free software called flat. I spent day in and day out writing the worst melodies and chord progression the human mind could ever produce. But eventually, some of them started to become listenable. I crawled, kicked and screamed my way to becoming competent enough to even take on this project. Then, I continued the cycle during the writing of my piece. There were many drafts and I started over many times. But each time I came back with a different grit, a new resolve. Which ties into how this project has prepared me for the future. There will be many times where I'll have to work on something of this caliber. And when that time comes, I will face it with a new grit, and a new resolve. A resolve that will craft my dreams into reality.
Explain how your life experiences are reflected through your project.
My life's experiences are something I use very regularly to make music. From the emotions I put into the music, to how I write it, everything stems from my personal experiences. This piece is no exception, every movement has a direct tie to my journey through music and how it has impacted me. The first movement entitled "Red Like Roses", is a flamenco rock song from a internet web series called RWBY. The song was originally composed by Jeff Williams and it represents my first introduction to music. Williams was one of the first artists I had found outside of the rock music that my father had raised me on. And I attribute him to my current taste in music and the final product of my piece. The second movement, entitled "Deference for Darkness", was originally composed for the video game "Halo 3: ODST". I chose this piece because it was one of the first games that I had ever played and I have been in love with it ever since. Coincidentally, my father also introduced me to this game. The second movement represents my discover of concert band and classical music. It is beautiful but humble, never getting loud until the very end. It's a piece that also represents the struggles of high school, and the constant downplay of said struggles. The third movement entitled, "Free Will", is a bit of a tone shift and is the only originally composed movement. It represents the last and most recent stage in my musical journey in a fusion between rock and classical music. It represents the realization that I have free will (pun intended) in the music that I create. It also paints my goal for my career, which is to be able to create whatever I want, whenever I want. The project perfectly encapsulates my journey through music and paint a clear picture of where I will take it in the future.
Thinking about the Extra-curricular hours you completed, reflect upon what you learned through the experiences and/or how you have been impacted as an artist?
I think it's no understatement to say that I have completed a lot of extra-curricular hours, with the bulk of that time being with the band. The most notable,and impactful of these extra curriculars was the band camps i've participated in. These 5 day camps are rigorous, intense, and most of all fun ways to learn how to march and get better at your instrument. They have taught me discipline, which in my opinion, is one of the most valuable traits that one can obtain. This discipline has allowed me to progress through the music world through sheer will power alone. This discipline instilled into me by these extra curriculars will be the thing that allows me to be successful in life, and continue to pursue a career in music.
How is your life positively impacted by the arts?
The arts have done nothing but positively impact my life. It has taught me many valuable life lessons and has opened my world view by tenfold. But the connections and friends i've made through the arts are more valuable than gold. In 8th grade I had moved to my third middle school in 3 years which just so happened to be Newel Barney. It was there where I had made a few friends that kept me in band going into my freshman year. And if i had never stuck with band I would have ever met my friends of four years. Without the arts I would have never met such amazing people that I've been able to keep friendships with even after they've graduated. So, the most positive impact that the arts have provided, are not the skills I've obtained, but the relationships I've built.
I plan to continue my artistic experiences after high school by attending ASU's Popular Music program. While studying at ASU I will be continuing my marching band career in their marching band. I'd like to hopefully keep a less hectic music schedule in the future but seeing as I'm majoring in music, that probably won't happen. I would also like to try my hand at a different field in the arts and discover different forms of expression. So, I hope to keep expressing myself and keep building relationships in the arts while studying at college.
What advice would you give an incoming freshmen about studying the arts to help them make the most of their experiences while in high school?
The advice I'd give to the incoming freshman would be to live in the moment, and enjoy every moment of their experience in high school. Now as much as I would like to tell them to do everything they possibly can, it can be very stressful and overwhelming. But I would tell them to do what they want to. Don't prioritize just the arts. While in high school you have the opportunity to experience so many wonderful thing. I regret not taking full advantage because I thought that band was my only goal in life and that it's all that i'll need. I still regret that mistake, and I regret not taking my time going through high school. So i would tell the incoming freshmen to experience everything, and take their time, so they don't have the same regrets I do.