Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

What fine arts activity are you in and how long have you participated?

I'm part of the Spring Woods High School Tiger Band and have been a part of it for 3 years now. I play the saxophone.

What inspired you to join a fine arts activity at Spring Woods High School?

Having family members that were musicians inspired me to take part in the band, since I look up to them and I learn a lot from them every day. One example would be my uncle. He was a great musician that played many different instruments, but he is mainly remembered for playing the trumpet.

Ever since I was a little boy, he always wanted me to play the trumpet, so I could be as amazing as he was. But sadly, I was never able to get a single note out, no matter how hard I tried, or long hours I spent practicing, the trumpet just wasn't for me. It wasn't until I got to middle school and found out I could take band classes, when I took the opportunity to finally learn an instrument and make my uncle proud that I was one step closer to becoming a great musician like him.

What skills have you acquired that will help you in the future?

Being part of a band has taught me many different skills. Many of them are such things as getting along with others, taking accountability for your mistakes or managing your time wisely. But one key skill that I have learned from being part of the band that’ll help me in my future, is setting a goal for yourself and not stopping until you reach that goal. Do whatever it takes to reach that goal and enjoy the end result. Because at the end of the day, that feeling of accomplishment, or you saying “I did that!” is one of the greatest feelings in the world that no one can ever take away from you. 

What Core Characteristic(s) have you developed most by being part of this activity? 

Some SBISD Core Characteristics that I have developed by being part of the band are Academically Prepared and Resourceful Problem-Solver. When it comes to being Academically Prepared, band has helped me find joy in learning new things in all my subjects and feel motivated to do new things. Band has also helped me become a Resourceful Problem-Solver, since every time I run into a problem, I try to figure it out based on past experiences from running into the same problem, or quickly find an alternative way to resolve the problem.

How has your fine arts instructor helped you or inspired you?

All three of my band directors have inspired me a lot throughout my time in band since all three of them have always had high expectations of me and pushed me to try out new things to get me out of my comfort zone. Having the mentality like that will help me improve as a musician and person. Also, my band directors believed in me that I could become a musician and could accomplish great things. They also help me realize that I shouldn't settle for the bare minimum and instead I should go above and beyond and strive for perfection.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time participating in this activity? 

Throughout my years in band, I've made many great memorable memories, but some that stick out to me the most and I will never forget, are waking up early in the mornings for a competition. Something about getting ready while having a little adrenaline rush knowing you're about to have one of the most important performances yet, would hype me up and put me in a mindset that would lock me in for the competition allowing me to have my best performance.

What would say to students thinking about joining this activity?

Something that I would say to a student thinking about joining the band is to do it and stick with it. Even if they're feeling a little skeptical about it. Try it out because you’ll end up meeting some really awesome and amazing people in band and the memories you’ll make will stick with you for a long time. Besides making great memories and meeting new people, band can help in character development. Band has taught me how to be on time, and never be late to anything, and to always do what I'm asked to right away, and be a leader/role model to others, and if I've learned that from band then anyone can too.

What are your post-high school plans?

After high school I plan to attend Texas A&M University and major in Architecture, in hopes to apply my creativity and problem-solving skills to help our society. I also plan on expanding my musical education and keep music as a hobby and utilize it as a way for me to keep things off my head and just work on something I enjoy doing a lot.

What are you excited for about your remaining time at Spring Woods High School?

Something that excites me about the remaining time I have left at Spring Woods High is seeing how I grow as an individual and leaving Spring Woods High as the best version of myself. Something about seeing how I've changed from the first time I ever stepped foot into Spring Woods High, to now, makes me think about what changed about me and what could’ve possibly caused that. So, seeing how my character could change from today until I graduate excites me because I don’t know what could change in me, and I could use that as a way to learn from my past self before I start the next big chapter of my life.

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SBISD’s Fine Arts programming provides students opportunities to participate in theater, band, orchestra, choir, dance, art and much more. Performing and fine arts provide an important means of communication where thoughts, creativity and expression can be directed to ennoble, uplift, inspire and build.

For questions regarding SBISD Fine Arts, contact SBISD’s Director of Fine Arts or the art instructor at your school.