Throughout this year, I went through considerable musical growth. As I played more challenging and thrilling repertoire in Wind Ensemble, Senior All-State, and many other musical ensembles, I began to understand more about music, beyond the simple notes and rhythms. I feel more confident in my playing and play out more with improved technicality and intonation.
For my Wind Ensemble adjudication, I played Grainger's Scotch Strathspey and Reel, a piece consisting of numerous overlapping motifs and styles. I started to become accustomed to listening beyond my trumpet section more to connect my melody with others. At one instance, the trumpets and I played the main Strathspey theme, in which other sections like the French horns also played but in different time intervals. I balanced my sound carefully to maintain equilibrium with the other sections and keep the theme flowing. In addition, I learned to control my volume better and employ clear dynamic contrast. In many parts in Scotch Stathspey and Reel, there were long crescendos and diminuendos. After practicing those portions, I was able to balance my volume accordingly, slowly increasing and decreasing it when necessary.
An important concept that I learned during the year is "horizontal/vertical playing". At times, I played vertically, connecting notes by the bar lines instead of playing horizontally and phrasing beyond the bar lines. This concept has given me a deeper understanding that the technical aspects of music are important, but do not fully shape how music should be performed. Intuitively, I have played horizontally most of the time, but I had a tendency here and there to play vertically, which limited my musical ability. Now, being more aware in the difference between the two styles, I perform horizontally in a more consistent manner, bringing out melodies and solos and connecting phrases.
To sum up my musical growth during my senior year, I have improved in musicianship. I have delved deeper into musicality and style, performing more fluently and becoming more cognizant of horizontal phrasing. This year really changed a lot in how I perform as a musician and has set a foundation in which I can build upon in my future.
For my Wind Ensemble adjudication, I played Grainger's Scotch Strathspey and Reel, a piece consisting of numerous overlapping motifs and styles. I started to become accustomed to listening beyond my trumpet section more to connect my melody with others. At one instance, the trumpets and I played the main Strathspey theme, in which other sections like the French horns also played but in different time intervals. I balanced my sound carefully to maintain equilibrium with the other sections and keep the theme flowing. In addition, I learned to control my volume better and employ clear dynamic contrast. In many parts in Scotch Stathspey and Reel, there were long crescendos and diminuendos. After practicing those portions, I was able to balance my volume accordingly, slowly increasing and decreasing it when necessary.
An important concept that I learned during the year is "horizontal/vertical playing". At times, I played vertically, connecting notes by the bar lines instead of playing horizontally and phrasing beyond the bar lines. This concept has given me a deeper understanding that the technical aspects of music are important, but do not fully shape how music should be performed. Intuitively, I have played horizontally most of the time, but I had a tendency here and there to play vertically, which limited my musical ability. Now, being more aware in the difference between the two styles, I perform horizontally in a more consistent manner, bringing out melodies and solos and connecting phrases.
To sum up my musical growth during my senior year, I have improved in musicianship. I have delved deeper into musicality and style, performing more fluently and becoming more cognizant of horizontal phrasing. This year really changed a lot in how I perform as a musician and has set a foundation in which I can build upon in my future.