My Interest In Music

Why I Love Music

Music has been something that has always been one of my biggest interests.

My love and appreciation for music began with my exposure to various genres throughout my life. Growing up, I was surrounded by a wide range of musical styles, from rock and hip-hop to many other different types of genres. This diversity sparked my appreciation for the different forms of human expression, as each song tells its own unique story. What fascinates me most is that no two songs are ever quite the same, with each one having a distinct arrangement of time signatures and keys. It is always exciting to hear a new song or rediscover a song that compelled me to listen again.

I enjoy exploring new artists and genres to expand my musical taste. What I find particularly compelling about music is that there is no clear "right" or "wrong" way to create it. Its structure is fluid, and what works in one song might not in another. This is evident in the production process, where some songs adhere to traditional musical forms, while others push the boundaries of sound.

Music is a beautiful form of expression, and each artist brings a unique approach to it. The way a song can envoke with a wide range of emotions, all within the same album, amazes me. It is an experience I have cherished for many years, and will love for the rest of my life.

A photo of the stage of an Arctic Monkeys Concert I attended in 2023.

My Music Taste

With all the music that is out today, it is hard for me to pinpoint a specific genre that is my favorite.

In general, I have always been drawn to songs that display raw emotion, rather than being limited to a specific genre. My favorite bands usually combine emotional depth of their lyrics, with rock and metal influences with their sound. Some of the bands that excel at this, and which I love to listen to, are Pink Floyd, Alice In Chains, and Pearl Jam.

What truly resonates with me is the authenticity of the emotions within their song, ranging from anguish and sadness to triumph and happiness. While each band has their own sound that defines them they also are able to push the boundaries of what was deemed conventional. The ability to listen to their lyrics and productions and truly feel the story they are telling is a testament to the power of music as an art form.

On the complete opposite side of the spectrum of music, I also really enjoy classical arrangements that I would get to hear in concert form. I remember an arrangement by Frank Ticheli by the name of Shenandoah. I got to perform this piece when I was in high school, and it was by far my favorite piece I ever was apart of. The sheer emotion that can be expressed with an absense of lyrics was really moving for me. The feelings of the notes just perfectly fitting together left me with chills, even when I was performing it. In short, it really made me realize that all forms of music really can express a sense of emotion, which caused my interest to grow to where it is today.

My Love For Musical Performance

A photo of me and two members that marched in the 2022 Strawberry Parade in Humboldt,Tennessee.

Fueled by my participation in high school, I really deeply appreciate the art of performing music.

I greatly enjoy witnessing music performances, whether I’m performing myself or watching others. It takes immense discipline and artistry to truly bring a piece to life in the way the composer intended. Each piece presents its own challenges, but the beauty that emerges through these hardships is what truly spikes my interest. Every time I was in a performance theatre, witnessing amazing interpretations and expressions of art was an exciting experience. I will never forget the feeling of a "perfect" performance, where everything lined up and it really felt like we made something truly beautiful.

In the context of musical performance within a marching band, the experience was quite similar but with a completely different set of rules. We would convey a new story within already existing pieces of music. I loved the energy that surrounded these performances, and how the emotions of the music were pushed to another level through visualizations and the combination of sounds.

I remember attending the Drum Corps International contest in Indianapolis when I was in high school. The sheer emotional intensity that a particular theme could bring, while lasting longer than 10 minutes, was a surreal experience. The combination of what you hear and what you see in a performance truly draws you in as a spectator and speaks to the beauty and limitless nature of music.