Application Letter: TJMC

This is my application for section leader for the upcoming TJMC season. I’m definitely not the best player in TJ’s percussion, and I’m not even close to being the oldest. Then, why should I be picked?

I might not have the most experience in TJ’s music groups, but I do have plenty of experience with percussion in general. I’ve been playing percussion for 6 years now, and I’ve had experience with all kinds of percussion, from school band to camps and other bands outside of school. I’ve been part of a band class in school ever since it was available, and I usually was on the better side out of the percussionists I played with. In middle school I was the only percussionist in my grade to make Symphonic Band in both 7th and 8th grade, placing in the top three chairs throughout both years, and was the only percussionist at my school to make it to district band in 7th grade. Even within TJ, I’ve had experience on a marimba line during a time where TJ’s percussion was very strong, and I think

I haven’t had a leadership position in anything major yet, but I arguably possess the qualities of a good leader, especially in a band setting. I might not be the best at any given task, but I will strive to learn how to do it, not just for myself, but so that I can become a dependable member of the group. For example, during the on/off sequence for indoor, I was in charge of plugging in one of the speakers. A simple enough task, but without it half of the sound produced by a whole section gets lost. Before then, I’ve never had to go near a speaker, so at first I didn’t even know how to take out the cable from the speaker properly. After a few pitiful attempts, I started to get everything and go at a sufficient level. My experience with 4 mallets and Stevens grip was eerily similar. When I’m given more responsibility for more important tasks, I might struggle at first, but I’ll be sure to pick it up quickly and get everything under control.

I’m also responsible and mature, especially when necessary. During truck loading, I was always on task, trying to get everything done as efficiently as possible. I helped wherever I was most needed, whether that’s ratcheting on the truck or helping lifting instruments to get on the trucks, and if things didn’t exactly go to plan, I offered ideas for a solution. While gift wrapping, even if I had conversations here and there with my friends, I still got instruments ready to go to load onto the trucks. Even during rehearsals, whenever any of the techs were giving out instructions, I would always stop whatever I’m doing to listen and only acknowledge that I got the instructions or reply with something relevant. As a leader, I can take care of things while keeping everyone closely knit as a group

I may not be the best player in the pit, and I might not have much leadership experience presently, but I can step up and be a leader for the next few years and help TJ’s pit grow with a new generation of players throughout the time I’m here.