Baum,+Taylor

=**T. Baum's Page**=

Goals

 * 1) **Sight Reading** - It has always been a real struggle for me to sight read. After a long period of time looking and practicing a piece, I am able to perform it extremely well. However, whenever we recieve a new piece in SWE or in Full Orchaestra, I am totally unprepared and lacking in talent. I am unable to keep up with those in my section. I need to focus on my mind set during my first performances of a piece. I also need to continue to expose myself to complicated rhythms so that I am able to easily pick up new pieces.


 * 1) **Runs** - My other really obvious difficulty when it comes to playing my flute is runs. I don't know what it is, but I am horrible at doing even 16th note scale runs in a piece. I feel that the problem is the pressure of preforming a quick paced piece a tempo. I can do runs perfectly when I am alone and without others listening, but the pressure of a performance is too much. To fix this problem I think I need to focus on reducing my nerves and realizing that I have enough talent to perform the runs that I struggle with. It's all about confidence. CONFIDENCE IS KEY. I also need to star lessons again so I do the common scales exercises, and so I can become more advance with them.


 * 1) **Festivals** - One really important goal of mine is to do well in festivals. First I need to get into festivals which I didn't last year. Then I need to dedicate myself in order to succeed in festivals. I am so so so nervous though because I get cold feet when I play for people. My fingers trip up and then I fail, real hard. I really want to go this year though because going to festivals will definately benifit me as a musician. DEDICATION. What about the festivals will benefit you? The process of auditioning? The actual experience of playing with other talented musicians? The experience you will gain playing your flute or piccolo as you prepare the music for the festival?

How Music has Shaped my Life
I would have to say that throughout my life, I have been through sort of an identity crisis. I've never really known where I belonged, which friend group to sit with at lunch, or where to put my efforts into. Up until 7th and 8th grade, I had no idea who my friends were and what I loved. I went back and forth from karate, gymnastics, softball, and anything you could imagine. I had even tried band once, but I quit after 6th grade because of the strong distaste I had accumulated from my previous mentor.

Throughout 7th and the beginning of eighth grade, I had felt like I was missing something in my life. One night, when I was restless in my sleep, I realized what I wanted in life. That next day, I asked if I could be in band. Starting as last chair in concert band and progressing into second out of the entire group of flutes, I would have to say, I had found my calling. I know yearn to go to state's, progress in music theory, and be the best musician I can be. Without the safety and comfort felt 7th period everyday, the great friday away trips, or the satisfaction of finally conquering the difficult piece that was thrust into my hands, I don't know where or how sane I would be now. It is a sanctuary.

In band, I have met my best friends, my passion and my future. Whether I go into the field of Biology or into Music education, I will always remeber and cherish the moments spent with my friends, my band; My Family.

Great essay!!