My Life and Music Draft 1/2

By: Tyler Coffman

I walked into those double doors for the first time in my life immediately being

approached by a ton of band officers.

“What’s your name?”

“Are you excited for marching band?”

“What instrument do you play?”

Overwhelmed with questions, I didn’t even think that I would be spending the

majority of my time in high school within those four walls making history.

June 2009:

The sun was scorching, my body covered in sweat, I was so overwhelmingly tired.

But somehow I was in love with marching band already as it was. It was so exciting

just to learn to forwards and backwards march.

“Band ten hut!”

The words shouted by drum majors to put me in an attention position. I tried to stay

as upright to be taller than my actual height. People passing out left and right

because the intense heat or they were locking their knees but there I was, the lone

trombone player trying my best to not look like your typical freshman. I knew I was

going to love it here.

October 2009
 “On the field in competition, Park Vista High School! Drum

majors Josh Boor and Andrew Seifter, is your band ready?!”

My heart was racing it was my first show….

“Please don’t let me mess up, please” was all I could think. We begin to start moving

and I tried so hard to make my set before the big hit, I had to march the majority of

the field to get this set…. Just barely made it!

August 2010:

My mom: “Tyler, what do you want to do in college?”

Me: “I want to go to FSU and major in music education.”

Mom: “That’s such a hard road to go down, that might not be the best of choices.”

Me: “I don’t care, music is my passion and I am going to chase my dreams no matter

what. No one can stop me from pursuing what I truly love.”

January 19, 2013:

“Tyler, I think you have a great sound and I see a lot of potential in your playing. If

all things go well, you should be expecting an acceptance letter in April into this

music school. I am also going to try and secure a scholarship for you as well if I can.”

- The words of Dr. Drew, the trombone professor at FSU

October 2010:

The school marquee:

Congratulations to Tyler Coffman on making the all-state band

I couldn’t believe it, I was the first person Park Visa history to make it to the all-state

band. My first big achievement in my life happened right there.

 One month later…

I’m so sick of this band’s attitude, I want to make a difference to try and help

motivate this group of people to really strive to be something.

May 2011:

“The Baritone Section Leader for next season will be…. Tyler Coffman!”

This was it, my chance to really help make a difference in people’s lives doing

what I love. I’m so ready for next season.

October 2011:

I’ve been cursed at, disobeyed, disrespected; at least the show is finally starting to

sound good. Being section leader is literally the worst job to possibly have especially

of these baritone players. There has got to be a better officer position than this.

October 2012:

Band captain is such a stressful position to be in. But at least I am finally getting the

respect that I’ve always wanted and the band actually likes me. I have to be

assertive, occasionally having to put the group in their place but they do stop as I

say

“Hey band, should we be talking right now?”

“NO!”

“ Then stop talking.”

That shut them up.

March 2012:

“Tyler, everybody loves you; they think of you like a God.” An eighth grader told me

this and I was kind of put into shock by this. I had no idea that so many people

looked up to me. I just try to be myself and pursue my goal, that’s all. This is all so

surreal for me.

April 2012:

“We have had 3 people actually attain 1rst chair in the all-district honors band this

year. First chair trombone this year was, Tyler Coffman.” My hard work and

practicing is finally starting to pay off. This is what I want to do for the rest of my

life. Perform music.

May 2012:

“Hi, I’m Tyler Coffman and I want to be your Drum Major”

This was my big moment, my time to shine. I am auditioning to achieve the highest

position in the organization. Part of the requirements include having to give a

speech to each band class and I compiled the best possible speech to get the votes

that would help me get Drum Major.

“Tyler, you got my vote.”

“We want you to be Drum Major!”

I had practically everyone approaching me to tell me that I had their vote, I would

have never figured people really liked me enough to want me to be their head leader

but I guess I was wrong.

May 2013:

“Tyler, out of all the band captains that I have had, you were the best band captain.”

Well there was the gratification that I really needed to hear. After spending multiple

practices of my band director criticizing me, never complimenting. But in the end it

was worth it.

May 2012:

“And the Band Captain for the 2012-2013 marching season is………….Tyler Coffman!”

I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed because I had worked my butt off to try and be

drum major but I guess I just need to take this and run with it.