Music and Traditions!

When I was a senior in high school, Graduation was what we were holding out for. We would just go through the motions of school with no motivation and always wanting to not be there. Even with all the things that were going on, all of us in the music department there would get so excited to learn the music for graduation. One of my favorite memories was being able to perform with my friends one last time. Even though I wasn't apart of the symphonic band, majority of my friends were. So listening to them play just one last time all together was one emotional roller costar for all of us.

The first song we all know from our previous graduations is "Pomp and Circumstance." Even though this is the standard song for all graduations, something about actually hearing it and walking to it just makes everything feel real. My experience was a little different than most because I didn't go straight to my seat, I went up on stage to sing the National Anthem. 

After we all walked down the isle, We sang the National Anthem and then went through the all of the speeches and the handing out of diplomas. After all of the diplomas were handed out, at Greer High we had the tradition where all of the gradating seniors would come up from the audience and would play "Risk Everything for a Dream." This was something special to the seniors because not only is the last time they would play with their high school band, but also the piece has some deep connections to us. Its a very beautiful piece with just huge moments that meet the name of the piece. To achieve the dream you have, you may have to risk it all. 

The last thing that we did at graduation was all of the graduating choir members were invited back on stage to sing our Alma Mater one last time. As being someone who was apart of the choral program for all 4 years it was very special to me to be able to sing in front of everyone one last time. One of the reason I love music so much is because of the environment I was surrounded by and all the opportunities I was given while in high school. 

I'll never forgot this day, not just because I had the flu 😂, but because it was the last time I was directed by some of my favorite people who have helped me achieve this dream of mine.