The Impact of Music

Music leaves an impact of everyone it touches. Whether you are high or low, the feelings come from listening to a piece of music. What purpose is music for though? Why does it make us feel the way we do?

Music surrounds us in our daily lives whether we know it or not. When we jump into the car, before a sporting event, in movies to bring dramatic attention, on television. Those are just a few examples of places we can find music on a daily basis. I intentionally bring more music into my life because I love both performing it and listening to it. I participate in four choirs at my school and enjoy watching musicals in my free time. I also incorporate listening to music on a daily basis by using a radio and headphones. Why is music so inspiring to me? Because every song is different. Different rhythms, different genres, different stories. The reason music is created is for entertainment, but the stories behind the lyrics is what separates music from all other types of entertainment. Music is able to set a mood of a person like nothing else. To me that's really cool.

The impact that music leaves on me is that it is me. Without music I wouldn't be who I am today and wouldn't be involved in all of the things I do. I wouldn't know so many friends of mine and wouldn't know the special talent I have inside of me. I also wouldn't have experienced the things I have without music. I've performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville, Tennessee for goodness sake! That memory will never be forgotten and I was able to accomplish it through music. I've performed a family song with my sisters and my mom at my grandparents wedding anniversary, which has impacted me to this day. They loved that so much and still talk to us about it. Also I've known the feeling of creating great music with my choirs and ensembles. Its one thing to perform music, but it's another thing to make it. I've made it many times and I'm very blessed for that.

Music works wonders and it's everywhere! No matter the mood there is a genre for you and that's what's so intriguing about it. New music keeps coming out every day to relate to the current audience yet music from the past still takes control sometimes. The flame of music will always have an impact on someone and will never be put out.

Household Soundtracks

When sitting at home what soundtracks do just listen to? Are they country? Hip hop? Classical? I listen to about anything and everything at my house and I'm going to explain famous soundtracks that everyone knows.

My famous soundtrack I listen to is the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. Because it is my favorite musical of all time I listen to it all the time! My favorite songs are Think of Me, the Phantom of the Opera, and All I Ask of You. These songs are so beautiful to listen to and allow me to relax. They are soothing. Also it reminds me of the time I went to the Phantom of the Opera Musical in Des Moines a couple years ago. No doubt the best thing I've ever seen and I would love to go again sometime. The significance of this soundtrack is that when people think of musicals, Phantom of the Opera is most likely in the top three options. It is iconic all around the world and is performed all over the United States. Also this musical has been such an influence on me that I'm singing a song from it for my vocal audition this upcoming year.

Another soundtrack I listen to is Mr. Misunderstood by Eric Church. Now this soundtrack is not nearly as popular because it is country music, but I love it. The story line of it is not the best because it is about a man who breaks up with his girlfriend and then gets a serious drinking problem, but the music is fantastic. There are upbeat dancing songs, slow thinking songs, and just good karaoke songs on this soundtrack that allow me to listen to it for hours. I've never seen Eric Church in person but if I ever get the chance to I will for sure go in a heartbeat.

Finally my last household soundtrack is Star Wars. Now many people will probably think Star Wars? How there aren't any words. That's the beauty of it. I can just sit, listen, and do homework or relax with this soundtrack on. I love the movies and still watch them all the time so it's basically the movie on the go. I can feel the action parts, the sad parts, and the intense dramatic parts of the movie, while relaxing in my own home. Everyone has heard of Star Wars also so this soundtrack is very popular.

Whether it be Broadway, country music straight from Nashville, or a soundtrack from a movie, I use soundtracks every day and enjoy listening to the story that the composer put into them.

Hamilton

"My name is Alexander Hamilton. My name is Alexander Hamilton. And there's a million things I haven't done. But just you wait, just you wait."

The new and upcoming Broadway musical Hamilton is a huge hit about the story of one of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. The musical brings us back to the early 1800s right after the Revolutionary War took place. It shows how the United States makes is form of government and the ideas of Alexander Hamilton that still impact us today. Obviously there are side plots but that's the main idea.

What I find intriguing about the musical however is the reaction people have had to it. People have kept Hamilton on the ten dollar bill because of it, and are going to start incorporating this musical into everyday learning. I think that is so cool! The fact that a musical, written and starred by the mastermind behind it, has taken such a great leap into American society. Also it makes me happy that people are yet again intrigued by history. This way of learning could make history fun to learn again, and may even help kids learn this issue of US History better. I've never seen it yet because it has only been performed in New York, but next year it is coming to Iowa and I plan to go see it. I've heard the soundtrack however and the songs are mesmerizing. I love them and they teach me, both about music history!

I have to give credit when credit is due and thank this discovery to Moira Green. She showed me this musical, and I may even go see it with her. But she became obsessed with it about four months ago and from that day I've listened to it on my own. My favorite song on the soundtrack is "Alexander Hamilton" and "My Shot." The first song is about him and his life. It describes all the other main characters as well, allowing for the audience to understand how the musical will run, and the plot line. The "My Shot" song is about him taking a shot with the government and trying things his way. Both are very good and allow me to learn a little bit about history without even really trying! However thanks to Moira's encouragement and persistence, she showed me a fantastic musical that may wind up being one of my favorites of all time.

"There's a million things I haven't done...What's your name man? Alexander Hamilton!"

Audition Week

Next week is show choir audition week, and the stress levels in the choir world are rising. The auditions take place in order to get into any Kennedy choir, regardless of show choir or traditional. Last year I was about of Concert Choir, Happiness Inc., Chamber Choir, and Moonlight Express. However to get into these groups one audition takes place that determines all of them. I know nerve racking!

The song that acts like a constant during the process is My Country Tis of Thee. My directors use this song because it shows off range and sets the bar even for everyone. Then the singer chooses another song to sing. That is the variable between all of us. The goal is to pick a song that sounds really good on your voice, and can showcase your range as a singer. Last year I sang Faithfully by Journey. I like that song because it fit my voice part, baritone, and is a pretty easy tune to stay in key with. This year I'm trying All I Ask of You from the Phantom of the Opera. This song will definitely showcase my talent because of the difficult it presents, and because the song is such a big song. During auditions it's normally a rule of thumb to not sing songs that have been sung many times before, or are easy to sing. This song has been performed on many stages by fantastic opera stars so it is a big risk doing it, but I hope the risk will pay off. 

One thing I especially like about our audition process is that they are blind. Mr. Ziegler and Mr. Muters sit behind a "cow", or costume changing blocker, and just sit back and listen to us. Are they able to tell who it is by our voices? Sometimes they are, especially if they have worked with us a lot, but every year someone comes out of the wood work and has a fantastic audition. That factor also levels the playing field so favorites are not a thing. Even though teachers try not to play favorites, it's inevitable to happen when they see who it is and watch face to face. This tryout eliminates that factor. Also as a singer it makes it easier to perform in. You don't have to worry about looking them right in the eye, or don't have to witness their reactions, whether good or bad. It is a real confidence booster and I enjoy the process.

So whether this year turns out well or not, my effort is there. A hundred kids will put their voice on the line in a couple of days and I hope everyone is successful!

The National Anthem

"Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hail'd, at the twilight's last gleaming." The United States National Anthem. The most sacred song I know. It still gives me chills every time I hear it sung. Also it is the one song in this country that everyone can respect.

Standing on the infield line, hand behind my back and my hat nailed to my heart. I listen at Veterans Memorial standing next to my visiting side dugout. I stand in between the visiting coaches and we all have a face of respect towards the flag and the singer. Then the song ends and everyone cheers, the hair on my arm stands up, and we play baseball.

The national anthem is not only symbolic to our nation but also to our sporting world. We play the song during the Olympics so that our nation is represented, it is played before every professional game, and is played before most every high school game. The song holds some weight. What does it actually stand for though?

The National Anthem stands for the fight we accomplished to win freedom in this nation. It describes the views from the front lines, and the feeling that the men had when they lifted our flag into the air, on that cold night when we thought we were defeated. The national anthem is history.

The moment that the National Anthem got really real for me was the first state playoff football game last year. When my team stood on the end zone line, helmets in hand, and stared at our flag waving in the air at midfield. Probably four thousand people were in the stands ready to watch us play our game, and I felt like it was the Super Bowl. I now knew how it felt to be in that position, when it feels like all eyes are on you. When the student section roared at the end, I thought I flashed to heaven and back. It was surreal. Then when we made the championship game the feeling was even greater. More people were in the stands and the game was state televised. The feeling during that song is different for everyone but I think of it as a calm before a storm. When I listen to the national anthem on television, I think that song is the only thing at that moment keeping the players sane. After the last note, the storms coming. That song marks the last time we are all on the same team until after the game is over. After all, the song is about war.

To wonder what that feeling was holding our nations flag on their back during the war is incomprehensible. If I got that sort of feeling from a high school football game, how would it feel to have a whole nation behind you? "For the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

My Family

My family is a music family. There is no other way to describe us! We all sing and we all dance, or at least try too. My mom and dad used to do choir, my older sister Danielle was about of all of the Kennedy choirs such as me, and my younger sister McKenna is a freshman at Kennedy and is many choirs as well. Music runs through our blood!

A few years ago my grandparents had their 30th wedding anniversary and we as a family we bound to make it memorable. They are probably my favorite grandparents so we wanted to do something big and something they have asked us to do for a while. Sing a song. We as a family have always been shy to sing in public as a group, but for this occasion we decided to just go for it. We got assistance from our middle school director David Griffin and he helped us arrange Stand By Me by Ben King. This song was emotional and allowed a great message to portray from us to our grandma and grandpa. We practiced the song for a couple weeks and then our performance day came. At the party was probably a hundred people in this gathering hall, eating, drinking, and having a great time. Then we walked out and said we had a special performance for them. We dedicated the song to them and their anniversary and began to sing. They cried the whole song. It was one of the very few times I've seen my grandpa and grandma cry, and I'll never forget it. That feeling we got afterwards was so genuine and warm, that the weeks of practice leading up to it was well worth it. My grandparents enjoyed it so much that an hour later they had us re-sing it again that way they could enjoy our beautiful music again. They also wanted to try not to cry, and let me tell you, that didn't happen! But the experience was incredible and is still talked about to this very day.

We are also very involved in music reality shows on television, such as the Voice, and American Idol. We love watching people going from nothing to a star, and enjoy hearing their own personal twists on legendary songs. Our favorite show for the longest time was American Idol, and our favorite season was number four, aka the "Carrie Underwood" season. She was so good and I knew from the start she was something special. That summer when they went on the top 10 tour around the country we went and saw them. Her and Bo Bice. One of the greatest concerts I've ever seen. Now this summer I'm going to a Carrie Underwood concert with my beautiful girlfriend, man how times change. But my family is always there when it comes to those shows, and I love them for it.

The support for my music is uplifting and encouraging. I wouldn't be who I am today without them and their love of music. They have worn off on me and now I'm a music freak. I can't imagine what my life would be like without the passion for music.

All-State Auditions

The most stressful set of auditions imaginable. The All-State Choir Auditions. The process is three months long and requires an unimaginable amount of preparation. Even though the struggle is real throughout the process, the ending result is remarkable.

The audition process begins in August at an All-State vocal music camp. At these three day camps vocal teachers and helpers from around the state come and help teach the All-State music to students that way they all have a leg up before the school year starts. Not going to lie the first day of camp is a lot of fun because you get to learn all of the songs, the second two aren't. The second two days continue to reteach the songs so that they become locked into memory, and are also just extremely long days. Then after that three day camp, school starts!

At Kennedy the only people allowed to audition for All-State are enrolled in Chamber Choir. I have now done this process twice, last year resulting in a much better experience than year one. The problem when school starts is that everyone who didn't go to a camp needs to learn the music. So the first month of school is re-teaching the music to us, which gets boring sometimes. But then after that the process really picks up steam.

Quartets. When auditioning the judge listens to a group by quartets, one singer per voice part. This helps them because they can tell who really knows the music, and also shows off their individual voice better than when it's with an ensemble. The nerve racking part at Kennedy is getting into those groups. It is about a two week process of one by one singing to really match up who would sound good together, and who just gels together. This past year I was with Kennedy Wilson, Keanna Knutson, and Bryant Jasper. Our group was fantastic and I wouldn't have wanted to spend this year with anyone else.

Then after a month of practicing as a group came audition day. Auditions are nerve racking because there are a ton of groups in a center, and everyone is singing. Literally everyone. Some are good and some are bad but regardless, a headache is on the horizon. This year was different for me; I had more pressure than most. My football team made the playoffs and I had practice the same day as auditions, so after I auditioned I had to leave immediately back to Kennedy to go to practice. That meant no recall opportunity, I either made it or I didn't.

I remember two things from that day very distinctly; one was Mr. Ziegler right before my group went into the audition room. We sang through all of our songs, and by the end he started to tear up. I wondered why but then he said, "If you guys don't make it then that shows a flaw in the system, because you guys get it. Every other group is singing music, but you guys are making music." We were the only quartet to have all four people make it into the All-State choir.

The second thing I remember from that day is the amount of texts I had congratulating me after football practice. I think I had about thirty text messages telling me how proud they were and how great it must feel. I was on cloud nine. I do remember the year before however when I didn't make it. That felt awful. So to experience both ends of the spectrum was a humbling experience, and I won't ever forget the process. I have one more year to live it, and hopefully I'm able to give the system justice one last time.

Raise the Roof

Now that show choir is officially over I have time to reflect back on the past year and think of all the incredible and memorable experiences I had. One of those experiences that I reflect back on is the Raise the Roof Show Choir Invitational at our own Kennedy High School.

This year the talent was stacked at our competition, and most of it came from new groups that I've never heard of before. It's fun being able to watch and interact with kids your own age from a different city or state because it allows for learning of different cultures, and allows us to get to know other people that could become future friends. However, even with that said, my favorite part is not social hour or listening to other groups perform. Most of the time I get to only see at maximum about three shows throughout the day anyway, so that aspect of our competition is not why I love it so much. I love it because of the organization behind it and all the volunteering that occurs.

Compared to other show choir competitions ours is so smoothly ran! We assign every kid who partakes in a show choir a job so that we can say every one did their part, but then we also use parents. At Kennedy High School we have the best parent support group imaginable. We have parents who volunteer 8 hours worth of work in order to help make our competition run smoothly. No other competition has that type of support. Along with just being there they are also friendly. They will help with any question and are always willing to do more. This year I worked a lot with Mr. Koch, Mr. Minor, Mr. Tygart, and Mr. Caldbeck. All very nice and well deserving gentlemen and they taught me the ropes to Raise the Roof. I helped set up parking signs, parking cones, the stage, chairs in the audience, posters around the school. If you saw it one of us probably had something to do with it. Even though the actually work part of Raise the Roof sucks, it's the bonding and friendships that occur that makes the whole thing worth it.

Besides those men I also got to hang out with Mr. Ziegler and my sister. They always run the scores so they have the inside scoop on who is winning the competition before anyone else. So on actual competition day I spend a lot of my time in there and help them and just talk about life. I wouldn't want to spend a whole day with two other people. They are both so easy going and know how to make a long day, short. As seen in my previous blogs Mr. Ziegler is a role model of mine so to be by him all day long is fun, and my sister is just the best. She always wears a smile on her face and never is down. She is the reason I always try and stay positive and spread my happiness to those around me.

Raise the Roof allows for a lot of different opportunities, but the one that needs to be taken advantage of are the bonding experiences and friendships that are created. I love this competition and I can't wait for that time of year to swing around once again.

Without the Seniors

As we all know the inevitable is upon us. The school year is ending. In many, many ways this is fantastic news and is worth getting excited about, but a touch of sadness creeps into our hearts as the days narrow down. In a blink of an eye all of my senior friends are going to be going to college and I'm going to be the senior. The oldest class, the big dogs of the school. In one month that becomes reality for me. Unfortunately this year will be harder than most because I've become very attached to our senior class and have created many friendships that will probably last a lifetime with them. If only they didn't have to leave.

As we all know I am involved in choir and football, hence from my blogs, and with that diversity allows me to meet a lot of different people and become friends with a lot of people. Going into next year I know there will be a lot of gaps from the seniors that are leaving, and most of them will probably never be able to be replaced. In football I have a lot of friends going off to do great things in college. Two friends of mine, Shaun Beyer and Dalles Jacobus, are going to play football at the University of Iowa. That is an incredible accomplishment! About four other friends of mine are going to go play division two football, and some are going to play baseball as well. To me that's incredible. I wish all of them luck next year and hope for them to be successful both on and off the field.

Choir is where I will miss the most people. The worst part about it is that in Moonlight Express and Chamber Choir, I will be the only returning bass in both groups. The rest were seniors. Two great friends of mine that I especially will miss are Brennan Urbi and Rizwan Sidhu. Those guys have taught me so much music in the last two years, and have been a fantastic influence on my high school career. I know they will both be very successful in college because their work ethics are second to none, and they are all around good people. I roomed with them in Nashville this past year which brought us closer than ever, and I know we will continue to be friends for a long time.

Walking around the hallways, hitting guys on the football field, and performing shows on stages will not be the same without this class of seniors. I'm as good of friends with some of them as I am with people in my own class, but as we all know, life will go on without them. A positive is that I'll get to know younger classmen now! I don't know hardly any of them so next year will be a fun experience in that aspect. The final negative to the seniors leaving is that I'll be one now. Most people don't think of that as a negative, but I see it as an end to a chapter. Sure the book has just begun, but those last four years are some of the best years of our lives, and it's almost done for me. The challenge I'm putting up to myself however is to be in a blog such as this. I want to be remembered by younger classmen as one of the best friends they have ever had, and have an impact on their lives. I can't wait to see what the future holds for me and all of the seniors about to leave Kennedy High School.

Moonlight Express

"Love, walked right in and drove my shadows away." Moonlight Express. The varsity jazz ensemble at Kennedy High School. This is my second year in the group and I love every minute of it. The class is so refreshing and is a great way to end the school day. The group size is nice and small, sixteen people, and has four people per voice part; soprano, alto, tenor, bass. Each year we sing a competition set of songs which ranges from four to five songs. We had a very fun and relaxed year, and bonded together as a group.

Competitively we did very well this past year. We had to competitions and placed a one rating at each of them which is the best there is. As a second year member it was fun to perform at venues from the previous year and see friends from other schools show off their jazz talent as well. The theme of our set was about love. The songs we sang were; "I'm Beginning to See the Light", "I Love You", "Love Walked in", and "Route 66." The songs were extremely fun, and were also challenging for us because they were all different styles. Our first song was up beat and energetic, the second was very challenging with intricate harmonies which made it a fan favorite, then was our slow ballad, and we ended with a swing tune. The diversity in vocal jazz is what makes it very enjoyable for me because nothing ever gets boring, and it's never the same old same old.

However besides our competition set, we also learned an additional song to perform at performances and school events, and that was "Chili Con Carne." At first we didn't know if it would take off as a hit, but it is now our most liked song and is my personal favorite. The tempo is up beat, almost salsa like, creating for an engaging atmosphere. I want to dance every time I sing it! People liked it so much that a fan of ours asked us to record the song so that it can be ran onto CDs or uploaded to YouTube. We have yet to do this but are planning on recording very soon. Also if interested in hearing our competition set and "Chili Con Carne" we are holding a concert on April 28th and hope many can attend.

Moonlight Express is a fun and challenging group that is an honor to be apart of. Not many people are allowed into the group and to be able to be a two year, potentially a three year, member is humbling. The group this year has helped me create some memories, and has really opened me up as a jazz singer. I can't wait to see what direction the group goes in next year, and hopefully I will be along for the ride again.

Walk Up Music

"Work. Work. Work. Work. Work." It's a beautiful April Day at Veteran Memorial Stadium and the leadoff man from the Cedar Rapids Kernels walks up to the plate. Now when most people go to a baseball game who really thinks or pays attention to the walk up music? Not a ton of people, but as a bat boy and listening to the same songs over and over, night in and night out, you start to take notice. I started to wonder why to people pick the songs that they do, and why does that song have meaning to them? Well after a bat boy for the Cedar Rapids Kernels you start to figure it out.

As well known to many outsiders, many baseball players come from Spanish speaking countries, such as the Dominican Republic, Cuba, or Venezuela. Those players walk up songs are always my favorite because most of the time it's Latino. And one thing I've learned about these songs is that they are prominent in the places that they lived. For example Donza Kaduro was a big hit in the Dominican Republic last year, so the Hispanic on our team had that as his walk up song. And later I noticed that players from the south had country music while those from the cities had hip hop/rap, and one day a light bulb went off in my head. Those songs aren't used to pump them up, they are used to represent where they are from and show the world what they are.

The life of a baseball player is complicated. They travel all the time going from city to city from team to team. They don't have a "real" family. They jump around from host family to host family because that's what this job requires. They play baseball every day in hopes of someday making it to the big leagues and establishing a family and a nice leaving. I can only imagine how hard it would be to not see your family hardly at all for six months of the year, and travel none stop along that time period. So I think it's the coolest thing what these guys do. Their way of remembering home is their walk up song. Each player's song reminds them of their home, family, and friends. What else can you ask from a guy?

So next time you are at a baseball game, listen to that music because it's not an accident. Those guys want you to know a little bit about them, so pay attention and learn from them.

Large Group Contest

This past Saturday was State Large Group Contest at Kennedy High School. This contest consisted of individual singers performing solos, small band and orchestra groups, and small choirs performing in front of judges to get a rating. The ratings go from five being the least to one which is sounding outstanding. For almost all solo students, which is the main portion of the event, they are voice lesson students who have been practicing their songs for months at a time. I've never performed a solo at this annual event because I've never had a voice teacher. I've just sung how I do and if people don't like it then so be it. I've always thought that the sound I make is pretty good and acceptable into many choirs. Also I could never repeat the same song over and over with the same teacher for over four months. I would get so bored going into a lesson two days every week and working on the same parts over and over again.

This year however I did participate in a choir. The Kennedy Chamber Choir. We consisted of twenty four singers and we sang two songs at this contest. One interesting thing about this contest is that solo acts have seven minutes to perform their song while we as a choir only had five. A little bizarre right? The larger group has less time? But regardless we made it work and sang two beautiful songs. The first was Matona Mia by Orlando di Lasso and the second was Lay a Garland by Robert Pearsall. Both songs show off a lot of diversity that our group can do and allowed us to showcase some of our best work. As an assemble we have practiced these songs for about two months, really trying to perfect each one. We also prepared one other song but for the sake of the time limit we were not able to perform that one. Luckily our hard work paid off! We received a one rating and kept our group name at high standards.

It's crazy to think about how much time us as an assemble put in for five minutes though. We put months' worth of work into three songs in order to get a rating from one judge. What if she didn't like us? What if she didn't find our pieces difficult enough? Luckily she loved them and felt the energy and compassion from our music, but its crazy how this sort of a process works. Soon I'll discuss the All-State Music process and you will really find out how crazy some music contests are.

As a whole though I was glad to be a part of the State Large Group Contest and showcase what the Kennedy Chamber Choir has to bring to the table. And even though we only performed for five minutes, the music we made was better than any rehearsal we ever had and the memories of the feeling of performing it will never disappoint.

Wildhorse Saloon

I look down and see a sea of plaid on the dance floor below me. The building in the shape of a horseshoe representing the name of the saloon. A country music band is playing for all of Show Choir Nationals, and line dancing is being taught on the dance floor. A lot of "yeehawing" and "wooing" is taking place down below, but one thing is for certain. There is a smile on everyone's face and no one wishes to be anywhere else. The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee.

This saloon holds a lot of memories for me. I was there for the first time back in 2014 when my sister went there for her Show Choir Nationals appearance. Two years ago was not the same as this year however. Two years ago I hung out with my family and watched Danielle have the time of her life with all of her friends. This time that was me. I had one of the greatest nights ever at that saloon.

If you read my "School Dances" post from earlier this spring I mentioned how school dances should be fun and drama free. I explained how I wish they were like Hairspray, in how everyone had fun and just danced, not worrying about others around them. The Wildhorse Saloon gave me that experience. I had a fun night with my friends, my teammates, and enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience.

Going into the saloon there was a hype within my show choir. Everyone knew that I enjoyed country music more than anyone so they expected me to go "all out country." And I did not disappoint. I wore my boots, my plaid shirt, my blue jeans. I had the whole look for me. I also taught them some line dancing moves which was a ton of fun for me. There were two great moments in the night though. One moment was when Greased Lightning came on. Back in the eighth grade I had a solo in my show choir for Greased Lightning so everyone associates my name with that song. I danced in the middle of a huge crowd of people, not knowing half of them, and danced the whole song that night in the saloon. I found out later that a mom of a school in California got a picture of me and put it up on their Facebook page to show the fun that show choir can bring. That's an unbelievable feeling. The second moment was being able to dance with my girlfriend in a venue such as that. Everyone was enjoying themselves, and dancing around us and it felt like a movie. When everyone looks at you and tells you how cute you two are. Then no matter what goes on around us it seemed like she was the only one in the saloon. That's what it felt like and it made the night so special to me. It wouldn't have been nearly the same without her or my entire team.

The Wildhorse Saloon now holds a special spot in my heart. It made me some gold balls in my head for lifelong memories. What a night it was. What an incredible night.

Eric Whitacre

"Words like violence, break the silence, come crashing in, into my little world." The mysterious sound and darkness behind the masterful artist, Eric Whitacre. This man makes world-class music and makes a choir sound like angels. His songs incorporate a mix of light and dark meanings to convey whatever message he feels worthy, and this year for the first time my choir is taking on one of his songs. We may not sound like his choir does, but hopefully our performance will be able to convey his image.

Eric Whitacre is a next level type of composer and song writer. He takes a simple lyric line and lines it with intense, intricate undertone and overtone patterns. Also he is able to conduct a choir in such a way that all of the vowels are the same shape, and it sounds like 8 singers, instead of hundreds of singers singing 8 parts. The song we are trying in my choir this year is Enjoying the Silence. This song is one of his darker songs because it describes the death of a loved one. The overall pattern of the song starts soft and dark, grows to a forte middle, and ends with a silent whisper, as if the person has passed away. The genius in his composing is nothing that I have seen before though. He is a man ahead of his time. That's why whenever we rehearse his song, we give it an extra sort of special attention. We treat it differently than all of the other songs we rehearse and perform. It's not that the other songs aren't as worthy, it's just his song is in a whole new category of respect compared to the others.

Another interesting thing this man is able to do is make a virtual chorus. On YouTube he takes videos of individuals singing his songs, and is able to combine them in a way so that his song sounds like a choir singing it all in unison. Now that's talent. Being able to blend hundreds of voices that started all individually to make one great sound is nearly impossible, and he does it.

I listen to his songs all of the time because they are peaceful and help me calm down and focus on what I need to do. I can't wait to represent him in our next choir concert and sing one of the greatest modern day composers' masterpiece.

"Silence...Silence...Enjoy the Silence..."

Nashville, Tennessee

Home to country music, the one and only Nashville, Tennessee. I've been there twice now both for Show Choir Nationals, and both times I've left wanting more. I've been to some incredible cities in my life, Chicago, St. Louis, Phoenix, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Denver Colorado, but nothing beats Nashville, Tennessee. As you know from reading this blog the last few weeks I'm obsessed with country music. While walking down the streets in Nashville, there are at least two country bands in each bar and there are at least 30 bars down Broadway Street. Now figure out that math, and tell me why I feel in country music heaven.

To walk into these bars and think about the people who have performed there, the history is second to none. I walked into a bar named Tootsies the last two times I was there and I saw pictures of Rascal Flatts and Kenney Chesney on the wall. Those two singers are iconic in country music! Or the Honky Tonk. That bar name has been used in countless songs that I hear on the radio on a daily basis, and to walk into that place and feel the music being played in it was inspiring. Now not going to lie the city isn't that clean. It is a bar city for goodness sake, but the history and amount of famous people who have come out of the city is what makes it great. The country music hall of fame is located in that city. I went to that my first time there and it was incredible. Gold and Platinum albums lined the walls of all of the famous people who performed and represented that city on a national level.

Alongside Broadway Street there are also many different places you could go for a good time in Nashville. For example Bridgestone Arena, or the Tennessee Titans football stadium. The Nashville Predators hockey team and the Tennessee Titans are two household names throughout America and the city they call home is Nashville, Tennessee. I never was able to go to a game but I saw the effects of a Predators game and the whole city goes crazy for them. Bridgestone is home to all of their home games along with concerts of famous musicians. If not being performed in the Bridgestone, then the Grand Ole Opry is the home.

The Opry as talked about in a previous blog is nostalgic. Nothing beats the Grand Ole Opry. When I performed there for my Show Choir Nationals, I could feel the history in my body as I danced, I got a picture and danced part of our song on the famous "circle" on center stage. To think that every famous country legend from past until present has performed on that same spot is remarkable. And now my footprints are in the same spot.

Nashville, Tennessee. A city for the past, the present, and the future of performing great music.

School Dances

Next week is the WPA dance, which is exciting for all because that means that spring is on its way, and it allows for high school kids to get out and enjoy themselves for a night. School dances are one of two things, either memorable in a great way, or memorable in a negative way. Most of that is due to the people. Drama strikes and by the end of the night people break up and friends become enemies, but what else makes a school dance?

School dances are a take away from high school. As an adult looking back, you won't forget what happened on the night of a school dance because either something tragic happened, or one of the greatest nights ever occurred. The reason I love dances isn't because of the actual dancing. Let's be real all that happens at a dance anymore is grinding, which in my opinion is not pleasing to the eye. Who wants to watch people get personal with each other on the dance floor? In my opinion that needs to be saved for after the dance when everyone goes home, that way they can do whatever they want to do in private. I wish school dances were like what they were back in the day. The DJ would play fun music that people could actually dance too, not that hip hop/rap music that is impossible to dance too, and actual dancing occurred! I know the movie Grease and Hairspray are unrealistic school dance settings, but a perfect school dance to me would look like that. Those people all dressed up in fun outfits, which still occurs today, and they just danced. They didn't have a care in the world and they just had fun! Now a day's people care to much about how they look in front of others. We as a society need to let go and enjoy ourselves no matter what people think. In Nashville, Tennessee, Happiness Inc. did that and gave me a feeling of a Hairspray movie. At the Wild Horse Saloon we all danced with people from other schools and just danced! We made new friends, had a great night, and most importantly made new memories.

Alongside people just letting loose and enjoying themselves, school dances need less drama. People create unnecessary drama due to what people wear, who people go with, and how people dance. Why can't we all we all just enjoy ourselves? The purpose of the night is to make memories right? If we all stayed with our friends and enjoyed the night then problems wouldn't occur.

For this WPA I hope that everyone has a great time and endures a fantastic night full of memories. With all of the work we do during the week and in life, we deserve as a student body a night to enjoy ourselves with a friend. Let's cut out the drama this year, and have the best WPA yet!

Show Choir Nationals

Nashville, Tennessee. The greatest city in the nation hands down, host of the 2016 Show Choir Nationals. This competition is a big deal for us here at Kennedy because we only go once every two years, and we get to express ourselves and our talent on a national level. This year was especially important because we had to a lot to prove, and it would be the last time for all of us.

Nothing compares to Show Choir Nationals. The groups are all spectacular and you leave the venue happy no matter the outcome. Obviously we all want to do well and be able to make finals, but with a competition so stiff just being able to perform next to the greatest groups in the nation is an honor. Going into our trip we as a group expected our best performance of the year and our goal was to make finals, but whether we admit it or not we all had a thought in the back of our heads that we weren't going to make it. We didn't make finals for the first time in eleven years earlier in the year at our Davenport competition so considering we were at nationals, doubt is definitely in the back of our minds. But one thing I do know is that the doubt in the back of our minds didn't come through during our opening performance because we were lucky enough to do it twice. We made the finals!

Now let me back track and describe what happened leading up to those results.

It was 2:15am and we line up at Kennedy High School ready to experience the most memory filled four days of our lives. Most of us were up since the previous morning knowing we would fall asleep instantly once we started our bus ride. I was up for 23 consecutive hours, but I couldn't wait to arrive in Nashville, Tennessee. Once we finally arrived after our never-ending bus ride, we entered paradise. It started with our hotel. What an incredible place! From the outside it looked like a palace and on the inside it was like its own city. The Gaylord Opry Hotel. Home to 3500 rooms and is the heart of tourism in Nashville. Conveniently this hotel is located about 2 blocks away from the Grand Ole Opry, which is an even better marketing opportunity for them because people who go to the Opry house have an easily accessible place to stay for a couple days. This hotel was remarkable! I've never been to such set up, and the space inside of it was second to none. From the outside it looks as big as the white house, but on the inside it is as big as 3 NFL football stadiums.

The experience at Show Choir Nationals was unforgettable. We made finals which made our entire season. The joy I saw on people's faces was pure happiness, and for the second time of the year we actually represented our group's name. Along with doing our best show ever, we also saw state of the art show choirs, in Los Alamitos and Clinton Attache. Those choirs are ranked number 1 and 2 in the nation, and to share the same stage and make finals with one of them shows a lot about our program at Kennedy High School. We strive for excellence and besides our sports, our art programs achieve the same motto.

Nationals brought our group together and ended our year on a high note. The four days were some of the best days of my life and I wouldn't trade them for anything. As Mr. Ziegler said at the beginning of the trip, "This trip is about you guys. I want you all to have fun and compete at a very high level, but most importantly I want so many memories to occur. I watched Inside Out on the way here, and my goal is for everyone to make three or four gold ball memories." I for sure lived up to his words and made some of the best memories of my life up to date, on those four days in Nashville, Tennessee.

Grave Digger

The group Cantus took myself on a journey one day when I heard their song Gravedigger. The parts flow so well together and the meaning behind the song is so dark and mysterious that it captivates you. I'm about of a new octet group at our school and when we first heard it, the song seemed a little weird and a little boring, but after listening to the words and actually hearing the different harmonies we all feel in love with it. The first song of our new group is about the death of the lives before us. Isn't that a little ironic?

Gravedigger was written by the lead singer of the a cappella group Cantus because of the loss of a loved one close to him and now shares his message and feelings with the rest of the world. The song starts off singing about a man named Cyrus Jones. He lived from 1810-1913 and made his grand-kids believe that 103 years was forever in the world of life. Later the song is sung about a woman named Muriel Stonewall and how she had to watch her kids be buried due to World War II. Finally a sings about little Mikey Carson who only lived for eight years. Now how do these people connect to each other? They all were about of this world and are now gone and no one knew of them. They are everyday people who lived everyday lives and each died at different points of their lives. So why was this song written I bet you are wondering? Well the purpose of this song is to explain that each live matters and even when death unleashes its vale that the impact of a person is still thought about. This song goes through three completely different stories and is able to convey the same message. The reason why I think this song has connected with me in an emotional way is because I don't feel that people appreciate how valuable life is until it's gone. The lyrics spoke to me in a way that most songs don't because of how dark they were, but they speak of an inevitable truth. All people will eventually pass and the road is different for everyone, but the impact each person leaves is immense.

I can't wait to perform this song with my octet and hopefully portray the message to people in a way that changes how they view music, and maybe even about their lives. "Grave digger, when you dig my grave, can you make it shallow so that I can feel the rain."

Keep Breathing

"The storm is coming, but I don't mind...People are dying, I close my blinds...But all I can do is keep breathing."

These are the opening lyrics to the 2016 Happiness Inc. ballad. A little depressing don't you think? This person is obviously some sort of depressed and feels so lonely inside that the only thing she can focus on is breathing. What a sad life that would be if all you can do is think about not dying. That person isn't living their life, they are surviving it.

In a weird way however this song fits this group perfectly and I just figured out why. In a literal aspect this song can't relate at all because our group is not depressed and actually has nothing but fun, which is quite enjoyable. But in a figurative way this song, in one pair of glasses, can represent our group.

No doubt our group has had adversity this year. Whether it is our placing in competitions, the group chemistry, or outside complications. The one thing about when adversity strikes are that is shows what the group is really made of. Unfortunately our group hasn't bounced back with great effort. That's why we need to keep breathing. We have a month left of the season and our national competition creeping into our midst. Somehow we need to find a way to come together, become a team, and accomplish the ultimate goal that we want accomplished. It won't be easy, but if you as a reader have learned anything about my blog posts dating back to my football days, nothing in life is ever given to you easily.

As a group we decided to work on our amount of talking, as that got in the way of some of our success, and to really apply our full effort during practices. To many times this year we would show up, do the same routine, and leave. We wouldn't think anything of it. Now we have to buckle down and work. This is the biggest competition of our lives coming up and in order to be successful we need to keep our eyes on the prize and put our best valiant effort forward.

The idea of keep breathing is a connotation to our entire season. Our song is telling us to keep making strides forward and if we do our best success will happen. We may not win, we may not even make finals, but if we prepare to succeed the trip will be worth our time. All I can do is keep breathing...All we can do is keep breathing.

Auto-tune...the Fall Back of Stars

While driving down the highway listening to the radio, doesn't everyone sound incredible? The pitch is perfect, every high note is perfectly struck with the right volume, and the harmonies are second to none. They must just be fantastic singers and that's why they are paid the big bucks right? Wrong!

I few weeks ago I was re-watching an awards show on TV and I was absolutely appalled by some of the singing I heard from professional singers! These guys get paid millions of dollars for singer, and when they go live they sound like a dying cow! OK maybe not that bad, but it was awful. The verdict is that auto-tune is taking over our society. The image is more important than the voice, and in order to keep that image up singers feel they have to be perfect all of the time. What frustrates me the most with pop and hip-hop singers now a days is that most of them focus on the performance part more than the singing aspect? Some fans may totally disagree with me but that's OK. The whole point of these award shows are to recognize the great singers of the year and applaud them by giving them awards, and listening to them on live TV in front of millions of viewers. The issue with award shows are that the singers getting awards are either awful live, or lip sing the entire song. What fun is that? Either you are faking the whole show so that your "image" stays intact, or you are performing an award winning song in an awful way. Both are just despicable.

As an audience member sitting at home I expect the best. Sure I'm greedy and not realistic, but if these performers make as much as they do they better not fake their talents to the world. What does that teach us as kids? "If you fake your way through life you will be successful." No! That's an awful message for us as young people. I shouldn't categorize all singers as using auto-tune as a crutch because most are excellent singers and don't use that weapon of technology, but for the ones that do, it ruins the whole show.

The lesson I take away from watching people use this unforgivable tool is to never be ashamed of who you actually are. Don't cover up mistakes in yourself, embrace them. If you can't hit a note don't sing it! Don't act like you can and then when the public wants to hear it then it's not possible to produce. Every person reading this is special and unique in their own way, and why hide that from people just to be like everyone else? Believe in who you are and what you do and success will come into your life.

The Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry. One of the most prestigious concert halls in all of America. Home to country music and located in the great city of Nashville, Tennessee.

The Opry house has a special place in my heart because our show choir has performed show choir nationals in that very venue every other year for the last ten years. The building has a special aroma around it for me. This year we are going down to Nashville once again, and the excitement I have is contagious. For one Nashville, Tennessee is my favorite city in the United States, and also I get to perform in a place that icons have performed in. Just thinking about it gives me chills. I have experienced this place two years ago when my sister was in Happiness Inc., and the feeling that has been with me since that day is a sense of pride. Watching them perform on that stage made me want to someday be them, and now that dream will come true in a little over a month.

What is cool about the Opry you might ask? What separates it what other venues? First off it's made of wood giving it an old, majestic sort of feel. The word "Grand" also lives up to its meaning. Walking into the hall it feels like the walls just burst open, the room is so spacious and the amount of seating in what looks like a smaller building is incredible. The acoustics are so live that every seat in the house feels like a front row spot. The Grand Ole Opry made me speechless, and walking into it two years later, I expect nothing different. A trademark that makes the Opry unique is that on the actual stage the very front and center is always lit. Even when the house closes for the night it always remains lit. I think that's so cool and being able to walk through and dance in that space is going to be unforgettable. Country music legends have sat there in that very spotlight and have performed some of the greatest songs ever created am I'm about to share that space. I may sound weird by saying that because it's just a spot on the floor right? To me it's more than that though. The history I've had and the history of country music has made that Opry house into a temple. It's almost like the opera house in Phantom of the Opera. During that movie when the people walk in the main song blares, the cobwebs are all cleaned, and the black and white movie turns into color. The opera house because elegant and lively. That feeling happens to me when I walk into the Grand Ole Opry.

In a months' time I will be fulfilling one of the biggest dreams of mine in Nashville, Tennessee with a group that means more to me than just a name on a shirt. Being up in the bright lights of center stage will give me a burst of energy like nothing before. The Grand Ole Opry is the heart of country music, and is about to be home to a life changing experience.

Solos

The spotlight is on you, all eyes are watching you, and the microphone is in hand. In a matter of seconds you are about to sing all by yourself and the crowd will be sitting on the edge of their seats. You hold yourself high and proud, and show the audience what you are made of.

Solos are a fantastic thing in the performing arts. It allows kids to feel confident about themselves and showcase their talents as a singer or dancer. I experienced this back in eighth grade and I can honestly say that it changed me as a person. I performed Greased Lightning back in the eighth grade and I was privileged enough to sing the entire song. My first time performing it in a competition was absolutely nerve racking. I can still feel the anxiety of that one performance every time I had a solo later in my choir career. That song however, made me feel confident. I felt strong. Not to sound cocky, but when a whole gymnasium stands up and cheers after you perform, it's unforgettable. I still dream about that spotlight in the eighth grade even now as a junior in high school. That feeling never will go away and nor should it. It's special.

When watching kids do solos, whether they are really good or still improving their talents, I give them one hundred percent of my attention, and wish them the absolute best. It's not easy going up in front of thousands of people and singing a song all by yourself. That's why when I look at idols such as; Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, or Rascals Flatts, I think about how much confidence they have inside of themselves in order to do what they do. It's inspiring. They not only teach an audience how to portray a message and share their talent, but they show that anyone can do anything, and even if that little thing in life is a thirty second solo, it will one of the best thirty seconds of your life.

The point of the matter is that confidence and hope can spark from the smallest things. That solo changed how I was as a person going into high school because I wasn't scared of anything anymore. Whether people thought I was good really didn't matter to me. I was having the time of my life and I felt like a star for two minutes of my life. I believe every kid should have that moment that they feel like they rule the world because at the end of the day, that's what we all want isn't it? Not everyone is going to be able to perform on the Grammy's in front of millions of people, so when you are able to do something special in front of an audience, own it. Feel confident and believe in yourself. After all it's not about the destination it's about the journey, and why not stop and enjoy the view from the top when you are given the opportunity.

Pentatonix

Arguably the best a cappella group in the United States and never fails to impress an audience. The way their cords fit together and the amount of genres they are able to perform to perfection is unbelievable! What is it about this group that changes the entirety of music?

I remember the first time I watched Pentatonix it was on a show called "The Sing Off."? This show allowed and found vocal a cappella groups to perform in front of a live audience and get voted on week to week by America to see if they were well perceived. From the first song these guys sang I knew that they were something special. So did America. They won that show by a landslide and moved on to bigger and bigger things in the lime light.

What does Pentatonix do well? Well as a high school musician they are flawless! Their tone is impeccable and the amount of different emotions they can portray is truly inspiring. For a singer like me, being a part of a group such as Pentatonix would be a dream come true. The singer that really makes me feel the music however is the bass. Sure the beat boxer and tenor who can sing soprano notes are very impressive but the bass is like the binding of a book. Without him I feel like the whole group wouldn't sound the same. That is semi true with every group though. Without the bass part the choir tends to have difficulties because the basses have that bottom line that keep all of the other lines in order. Also the basses give the music a fuller sound, which results in more audience enjoyment, at least to the trained ears.

The greatest performance I've seen Pentatonix do was the Star Wars medley that they performed on the Grammy stage. It started off with a low beat box and then the five of them all broke out into parts and it brought back memories of the movie just how they sang the song. The performance ended with the symphony joining them in performing theme songs from the saga, and the amount of blend and their pitches were perfect. Absolutely astonishing.

What separates this group from most other a cappella groups is the fact that they are so versatile. One day their top hit could be "Can't Hold Us" and then it could be "Mary Did You Know" or "Hallelujah" the next. They are never ending! That's the power behind music though. If music stops then the whole world would stop. New songs and new genres are always able to take flight, and this particular group is making that statement a reality. From sea to shining sea, this group has taken the heart and soul of America.

The Music Man

The man that makes the magic happen. Who doesn't get nearly as much credit as he deserves for helping teach kids not only about music, but on how to become great people. This man has been an idol since I was a little boy and has always been a great friend to my family. He is the man behind many award winning show choirs and is my most respected teacher of all time. That man is Mr. Storm Ziegler.

Kennedy High School music has always had a special place in my heart and it's because this guy knows how to make music. His technique is impeccable and the emotion behind what he does is always there. The year I truly got him though was two years ago when my sister was a senior in his show choir. They performed a military show that in all honesty didn't place as well as what I would have thought. To this day that show is my favorite happiness show of all time. However that year I never once saw any sign of defeat. And in tribute to that my sister wrote a letter that won him director of the year at Show Choir Nationals in Nashville, Tennessee. That was the first time I ever saw him cry and I don't think I will ever forget it.

The greatest thing about Mr. Ziegler is that I'm able to joke around with him all the time. Most teachers aren't like that, and I can honestly say he is more of a friend to me than a teacher. I'm able to talk about anything with him and the advice I get back is second to none. The thing I can always count on however is that he will be honest with me. To many people "fluff" stuff up and make excuses, but not Zig. I love that and it makes me trust in him more because whether the answer is what you want or not, it will be the truth.

I have two proudest moments so far with Mr. Ziegler and I'm assuming the best has yet to come. First was the last performance from happiness last year and I was a tech. He circled everyone up and looked at every single person in the group. He stare can make people cry, but in a good way. We I stared at Zig I could see the passion in his eyes. The only way I could describe it is as if a father is looking at his kid. When he looked at me, I knew the start of something special happened. The second time was minutes before my group was about to audition for all-state. We sang through all of our cuts and by the last one, he teared up. Now before that time I saw him tear up one time and it was two years prior. The thing he said to us will stick with me forever. He said, "You guys have made the last four months' worth it...you guys aren't singing music, you are making music, and that's all I could ever ask for." We all four made all-state.

The music man is a jack of all trades but most importantly he is my friend. He is the reason music is so influential in my life and he makes singing everyday enjoyable. I can't wait to go to Nashville again this year with him and relive what happened two years ago. At the end of the day though he has taught me one important lesson. He has taught not to coast through life accomplishing things and looking back and wondering where it all went, but to enjoy the journey and bask in it as long as you can because great things happen in all of those little moments. Don't just sing music, make music.

The Culture Behind Music

Music is an interesting form of communication that's main purpose is to tell a story or a message. Just like in regular speech, we talk in order to get a point across or tell someone an important piece of knowledge. Music is the same way. Composers and singers don't just write a song because they think it sounds good, or should I say successful composers and singers don't do that. Musicians that go far in life and are known for great music, but incorporate an even greater message. Some pieces of music are composed for religious reasons, some for social stances, and others for love or the lack of it. Regardless of the meaning of the song the lyrics and beat have a reason, a purpose. That what makes music intriguing because each song is different and creates a different feel or vibe to the listener.

When we think of classic music what's the first thought that goes to mind? For me it's that the music is either going to be about religion or be very proper. Now what does proper music mean? When sung proper music normally consists of long, tall vowels and between five to seven parts. These songs are performed with very accurate precision and have many intertwined parts. This is because when written only the wealthy and elite could listen or perform this music so it had to fit the lifestyles of those people. Also the sound is normally very dark which shows professionalism, and the consonants are sung with such purpose that every word can be heard from an audience member.

Unlike classical music is jazz. First established around the 1930's by African Americans in the years directly after the Great Depression. The genre started in the southern United States and was sung for people to understand the struggle and purpose of blacks in society. The style of jazz is different compared to all other pieces of music because singers are allowed to improvise and scat their own syllables to create a different feel in a song. Many jazz songs have a particular part, normally bases, who don't even have words so that the syllables they sing instead can sound like an instrument. The cool thing about jazz to me is that no matter what you can always improvise and will never be wrong. When the African Americans made it in the 30's I can guarantee you they didn't practice time and time again trying to get something to sound perfect before chanting it down Bourbon Street. They just sang whatever came to their heart and that's why the meaning of jazz is so amusing. This style of music gave more respect to a whole class of people and is still performed daily everywhere in the world. Crazy how music works huh?

A final genre of music is rock and roll. This style really didn't get started until the 1980's but was created for entertainment of the public, and to create a style so people could dance to it. Groups like Journey, Foreigner, Styx, and Aerosmith went absolutely viral during this era. Obviously these groups did this profession for the fame and the money, but their music is still popular now, in 2016. At every show choir competition I've ever been to "Don't Stop Believin'" or "Dream on" has come on the radio at some point. This music creates an energy in a room and lets people express themselves in different was ever known before. And from this genre of music things such as rap, country, and pop have all evolved. That's today's radio, the compilation of the last 50 years of music.

Over time things change, even music. The purpose behind these genres are fascinating and the thought put into each piece of music is mind boggling. If there is one thing I know for sure it's that music will never grow old because it is always adapting and recycling. From this day forward the culture of music can only grow because it will never be able to deteriorate.

Show Choir

In my opinion the greatest art form in all of America, show choir. It incorporates singing, dancing, and acting all into one setting. Here in the Midwest we are really good at it and over the last few years have gotten ever better creating for a fun and entertaining season for audiences everywhere!

I'm a member of Happiness Inc. at Kennedy High School. The show choir is the first one ever established in the entire country and to this day is known nationwide as an award winning show choir. Five years ago the show choir was so musically talented that they brought home a first place trophy from show choir nationals back to good ol' Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ever since then Happiness has had a major target on its back and is now facing competition that has risen to that level from all over the region.

Happiness to me means more than just going on stage and performing the best show I can possibly produce. It's about tradition, family, bonding with friends, hours of work, the yellow jacket, and most important, performing top class music. The tradition is eye-opening to me. I've gone on vacation since making the group and people recognize my group from different states! The fact that people from Florida and Arizona, total opposites in terms of direction from Iowa, know about our show choir is so inspiring to me. That means that in the past this group has touched people in a positive way has left their mark across the United States.

The amount of work put into show choir is unbelievable. From the outside looking in it may not look like it, but the season runs from July until April. That's over three fourths of the year! What makes all of that hard work worth it is the people doing the show with me. They never fail to make me smile every day and are all just great people. The one thing different about show choir and sports is that the people don't judge you about anything. Everyone is different and unique in their own way and it's supported in the show choir community. I've made many friends due to this activity that will probably remain friends the rest of my life and that's the greatest feeling. Being able to see your happiness jacket hang up on your bedroom wall and think about all the fun memories that jacket has brought. There isn't anything else that symbolic.

Finally show choir is a fantastic activity for me because I love making music. I think singing is the coolest thing ever and that's why I do it every day whether I'm at school or not! Under our director Storm Ziegler, we are able to produce sounds and emotions that are normally college level or above. What greater experience in high school than to perform a show that can change the view of an audience member or make them feel different emotions. Show choir has the power to make someone smile during one song, cry for the next, and then laugh away the tears for the one after that. What a diverse activity and challenge it brings to students. That's why I love it so much because I'm always looking for a way to challenge myself, and music is that door.