My project was created from my favorite parts of all the marching shows I've played. Fall and winter! It starts off with my very first season titled, "Home". It then goes in chronological order and ends with my most current high school season "Rat in a Cage". While this piece doesn't follow the normal structure of most shows, (Lost and then found kind of vibe)It's the time that I spent learning those parts that matter. It shows how far I've come as an 8th grader that didn't know anything to a senior completing my 9th season in high school AND completing my first season in an independant group! Each clip reminds me of the hardship, long days, and show cuts that I went through. It also showed me time and time again that I've met my life long friends, and even myself. Each year I look back at past shows and I can see how much I've grown as a musician and person!

The end of my capstone sounds unfinished and very uncomfortable. And while that's kind of what the show is about, it also represents the fact that this isn't the last thing I'll do with music. I'll never be done with music, performing, creating, and enjoying the sound around me. This isn't my last show I'll ever play, and it won't be the last season I'll expirience. There's more beyond the walls of high school and even though I started out at 'Home' I'm excited to break out. After all I'm not just a 'Rat in a Cage' :)

My life has changed so much since joining a fine arts program.  I have made many friends and learned so much about them through stories and spending time together. This has opened my eyes to the world around me. While I learned about my peers I also learned of my own values, opinions, likes, and dislikes. I find myself with many amazing opportunities that are often once in a lifetime. I can say proudly that I have challenged myself to push my limits and grow as a musician but also as a person outside of the arts. The arts are sometimes the only thing that gets me thru the day, simply meaning, I look forward to them. It is such a supportive group that I have found myself in and I wouldn't change it for anything! My perspective has opened up and I can have meaningful conversations with people to help them or even myself to become a better person that they and I can be proud of.

Many people will be in the arts be in arts for different reasons. Some people might try more than you or they may not. Why they have chosen the arts is not for you to decide and why you chose the arts is not for them to decide. We all have our own internal reasons. Moving on, the group is only as strong as their weakest member. Having said that, make sure to help yourself but be kind to others around you who might approach things differently that you. Help whenever you can but don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.  Like Dumbledoor said, "help will always be given to those who ask for it". Freshman year can be scary and the fear of embarrasing youself is always present, but how else are you going to learn about who you are? This is true with the arts but don't forget it also applies outside of the arts. There may be drama, things that are said but not meant, and miscommunication, but you will grow along side these people and high school drama won't matter in the end.  Just keep being yourself each day and good things will happen.  It may be difficult to see but just look harder, its there. Just remember, it always get better.