An American Elegy

Many thoughts have been screaming through my head recently. None of these thoughts I will type out for you to hear but I just want to let everyone know how much I appreciate them for their help. Recently I have been going through a lot of emotional and academic stress and I haven’t had any idea what to do. Thank you again to everyone that has helped me through this. Every day is worth living to its fullest, but you can’t live it to its fullest when you’re not having fun with what you’re doing. Things have slowly started to push faster and faster as the time span to do these things grows shorter and shorter. The adrenaline starts flowing through my veins and the tears begin to fall for all the love, pain, fear, joy, wonder and hope that has been happening. One thing that has been tugging at my heart only shows itself when we play it in Symphonic Band. The piece “An American Elegy” has made me tear up every time I play it. I more than likely tomorrow night at the concert will cry yet again. It’s a piece that will forever have a special meaning to me. We all have lost something special to us before. Whether that be a grandparent, mother, father or even a pet… it was something, or someone you lost that you love dearly. Here is what the websites commission and premiere information reads:

An American Elegy is, above all, an expression of hope. It was composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors. It is offered as a tribute to their great strength and courage in the face of a terrible tragedy. I hope the work can also serve as one reminder of how fragile and precious life is and how intimately connected we all are as human beings.

An American Elegy was commissioned by the Columbine Commissioning Fund, a special project sponsored by the Alpha Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at the University of Colorado on behalf of the Columbine High School Band. Contributors to the Fund included members, chapters, alumni, and friends of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Fraternity and Sorority.

The work received its premiere performance by the Columbine High School Band, William Biskup, Director, Frank Ticheli, guest conductor, on April 23, 2000. Its premiere served as the centerpiece of a special commemorative concert given by the Columbine High School Band in conjunction with the University of Colorado Wind Symphony, held at Macky Hall in Boulder, Colorado.

http://www.manhattanbeachmusiconline.com/frank_ticheli/html/an_american_elegy.html

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Take a listen when you get the chance. It may seem boring to the naked ear but if you sit, listen and place yourself in the position of everyone during that time, you will most definitely feel as though you were there. Go listen and remember those who love you and those who care about you, because they may not be here tomorrow.

Game & competition

I just want to congratulate Crawfordsville Marching Band for their great show this past Saturday. Although I wasn’t there to watch and cheer on C’ville, they still hit their mark really early in the season. About 5 to 6 years ago when I was a freshman at C’ville, I remember it being, if its nothing we do at this competition, lets at least get 54 points. Just that and we’ll be good. Well, this past competition was their first and they already received a 54.3! I’m very impressed with them. This season was kind of hard to start and working on their staff I have the privilege to say so. I also have the privilege to say that they have worked their butts off since I have left for school. But again, I’m very happy for them and proud of their hard work. Best of luck in the future C’ville. I will only be able to attend their districts competition this year *sad face*. But I’m sure it will be another memorable districts competition. I can remember my senior year as Drum Major touching 70 points and being in complete shock while getting the first Gold in C’ville marching history at Regional level. A lot of history has been made within the past 3 to 4 years of Crawfordsville Marching Band. Keep it up CHS!

TJ will be here Friday night and I’m oober excited! He won’t be able to be here for long but I can assure you that I’m going to soak up as much time with him that I can while he IS here. The next visit that will happen will be my fall break the second weekend of October. I’ll be flying over Thursday night and staying through that Sunday night. Then, one year later (I can’t believe it already)… Thanksgiving weekend will be spent with my Maryland family for the second year! =D I can’t wait! I’m so excited.

We had another football game this past weekend against EIU (Eastern Illinois University) which we lost 31 – 0. But oh well, there was Kappa Kappa Psi First Degree afterwards which made up for the loss. Everything was fun that evening with EIU’s Kappa Kappa Psi chapter visting us and staying to watch our 1st degree. Thank you EIU!

I hope everyone is having a beautiful day. I hope that everyone has an even more beautiful week to come.

Another Day. Another Smile. Always & Forever!
Trevor

Adventures!

Why are we scared or anxious to do things anymore? Why are we scared or anxious to stand up for ourselves when something happens? Peer pressure and the fear of someone judging us is the main reason. I have slowly been able to overcome that fear of being judged all the time by coming to college and leaving behind all negative past and pushing forward to pursue my future. My future right now is still kind of fuzzy. I know what I want. He knows what I want. We all know what I want. It’s getting there that will be the adventure. I have applied myself to everything there is to apply for now, it’s the wait that hurts the most. Most people get to choose their future on their own but with their parents’ permission. Not I! I get to peruse my options all on my own and learn from all my mistakes and choices. Everything so far has been an adventure. Meeting all new friends and creating new families here at ISU has been one of those adventures. Even to flying and driving 650 miles to Maryland to visit my boyfriend for 4 days and gaining many new family members and friends has been a big adventure. These adventures that I’m taking now will forever be with me. I’m happy to say that I am no longer in fear of what people think of my decisions (unless they are academic, obviously). My family has grown to accept me fully for who I am and what my future has in store as have most of my friends. Thank you.

To end, I hope you have a fabulous day and as said by Peter Pan

“To die would be an awfully big adventure”

… so why not live it out?!

Trevor