Heslop,+Jared

Goal: 1) I want to be Aaron Kimmel.
 * just kidding

Realistic Goals:

1) I will increase my ability at 4 mallet playing, and I hope to play a 4 mallet solo(s) after festivals are over. 2) I will increase my fill variety by incorporating more on the toms and utilizing the snare less. 3) I will increase my rudiment speeds, particularly single stroke rolls, so I can perform better in marching band.

Goal Update #1 [1/5/09] 1) I learned two 4 mallet parts for the "Percussion Praise" group that I played with before Christmas. It helped me become more comfortable with 4-mallet playing. Also, I noticed that my sight reading skills for 4-mallet music has gotten much better than it has been in the past. There is a brief 3-mallet part in one of the district band songs that I will need to iron out. 2) I have begun to add more rudiments to my fills. But, by spreading them out over toms/bass drum it disguises the rudiment and makes it sound very complex. I have used these fills a lot, especially in the winter concert. The most noticeable new fill was a swiss army triplet based fill that I used in the four measure break before the shout section in God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. 3) Unfortunately, I was unable to directly work on rudiment speeds in a marching band setting. However, I needed to clean my swiss army triplets for the fill above, and obviously I have played through my rudiments. I will be able to devote more time to rudimental playing after festivals, because my focus now is concert and jazz playing for obvious reasons.

Goal Update #2 [2/7/09] 1) I practiced the 4-mallet part for Espirit de Corps and was able to play it consistently without error which previously had been difficult with 4-mallet parts. Also, I noticed improvement because it did not take long to learn. 2) I honestly haven't been able to devote much time to the drum set as of late due to festivals and everything else. I worked through In A Mellotone a few weekends ago and came up with some pretty cool ideas that I would like to incorporate. The only downside is that some of these I can only do on my set at home and cannot replicate them on the school set. 3) Again, I plan to really focus on rudiments after the festival season ends. It is difficult to find time for rudimental playing when right now the focus is jazz and concert style. I really need to clean my buzz rolls with traditional grip and drum set sticks though, so that I will be working on.

"How Music Has Shaped My Life"

Music has played a tremendous role in my upbringing and maturation. Music defines part of what I am and is clearly expressed in my persona and internal psyche. Music has given me the confidence that I use to motivate myself and to work hard. Confidence in myself is a large part of who I am, and it is what allows me to dedicate myself to achieving the goals I have chosen. Music has also given me an identity and allowed me to further know myself. Finally, the experiences that music has given to my life are irreplaceable, and will never be forgotten. Music has shaped me into the young man I am, and is partly responsible for my development into the man I hope to become. Confidence. It is the key to my hard work and dedication. Confidence in myself and what I believe I can achieve motivates me to achieve and surpass goals I set for myself. Much of this confidence originated from my musical experiences. Through talent and great teachers, I have been able to become a decent musician which has led to moments of leadership. These moments helped me become an able leader, which is vital to the largest goal in my life. Also, simply listening to music has helped motivate me at times when doubt has crept into my mind. Listening to music can completely change my disposition, enabling me to achieve and surpass my goals. Music has given me an identity. Music has been such a large part of my life; I would be a completely different person without its guiding hand. I would most likely not have developed the moral standards and honor that guides my life without the music program. I would most likely have a completely different set of friends, and would most likely not have the same goals I bear today. Also, while performing music, I have gained an insight at myself that few other experiences can provide. Though hard to explain, sometimes when I'm playing music I feel very emotional, not necessarily positive or negative, just more open. I typically don't feel or express much emotion, as compared to others; thus, the situation above is very unique and insightful. I have had many experiences with music that are simply beyond words. Julliard, Blast, and the moment during the solo after Phil flipped and the crowd erupted in applause along with other ovations, are some examples of these experiences (hopefully with more to come). Though I cannot analyze exact benefits that these have led to, I know they will never be forgotten, and they will influence me for the rest of my life. Few high school students experience moments like that; I am fortunate that I am able to do so. Music has truly shaped who I am and what I hope to become. Music is part of what defines me as a person. Though music's role in my life will most likely lessen as a new chapter in my life begins, its effects on me will last a lifetime. I have no doubt that my experiences with music have made me a better person and have enabled me to pursue my goals. Even if music may not serve such a role later in my life, it will never leave my heart.