By Lyndsey Peace, Editor-in-Chief
I have participated in band throughout junior high, high school and now college at Hardin-Simmons University. It has always been a creative outlet that allows me to destress. Band also serves as a community where I feel free to be myself.
One reason I have always been involved in band is because of my family’s musical background. My mother played flute and did baton twirling while attending the same high school I attended in Cisco, Texas. My grandfather was also the band director for Cisco College and he made it a priority to encourage his grandchildren, me included, to pursue the arts.
I loved participating in high school band, but I was unsure of whether or not I would continue being a part of band in college. One reason was simply because I didn’t believe I had the talent. Another reason was because I didn’t think I would have the time.
Once I decided I was going to attend Hardin-Simmons University, I scheduled a time to audition for the band. At first, I planned on being in the concert band and not in the Cowboy Band. I had heard stories about the Cowboy Band and their mischievous spirit, and I wasn’t sure I would fit in. When I auditioned, the current band director Dr. Wayne Dorothy persuaded me to give the Cowboy Band a try, so I signed up for both bands my freshmen year.
In retrospect, I am so happy I decided to keep being a part of band in college and that I chose to participate in both concert band and Cowboy Band. Although I was scared as a freshman and didn’t know what to expect from the band program, by the end of my first semester at HSU I was in love with the program and the people I met through it. This is my third year to be a member of the Cowboy Band, and I grow to love it more every year.
What I love about the Cowboy Band are the traditions and rich history, including the reason why the band has the nickname “World Famous Cowboy Band”. In the past, the Cowboy Band has travelled all over the world, attending presidential inaugurations and marching in parades from various countries. Mr. Bill Harden, the current director of bands at HSU, is working hard to plan more opportunities for the Cowboy Band to travel in the future.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from being in the band is to not give up your passions. I almost didn’t participate in band, and I can’t imagine how different my life would be if I wasn’t a member. I’m not a music major and I’m not the best musician in the world but playing music in an ensemble is something I enjoy doing and I’m passionate about. When I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed because of classes and work, I look forward to creating music and it makes me feel better among the chaos of college life. I learned to put aside my fears of not being good enough or not fitting in and to simply enjoy an activity that I love and will cherish until I graduate college.