Inspired February 2015 Inspired February 2015 | Page 21

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MUSIC

Percussion is where I found MY voice
“Without Music, Life would be a Mistake”

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

My name is Gabrielle Hogan, I am a senior at Fishers
High School in Fishers, Indiana, and I truly believe
percussion is a part of who I am. I officially became
a member of competitive percussion ensembles my
sophomore year. Ever since my sophomore year, my
love for percussion, especially in the front ensemble,
only continued to grow. In
the front ensemble, I found
the instrument that fits me
perfectly: the vibraphone.
Whenever I am behind the
vibraphone, I feel like no
one can touch me and tell
me that I don’t belong. I love
how with the vibraphone,
you can dance and flow
with pedaling different
sequences and melodies
along the board.
Before my introduction into
the true Percussion world
my sophomore year, I had
faced several struggles
on trying to find my voice
in becoming a part of this
program. I had to fight way
and overcome obstacles
in order to do Winter
Percussion/Drumline, and I
am glad I did. Because of
Winter Percussion/Drumline,
I was/am able to make close
friendships and lasting
memories that I will cherish
forever.

With my senior year of high school approaching the end,
this really makes me reminisce on how much my life
has changed because of percussion. I don’t see myself
anywhere else and would not want to be anywhere
else for this activity. There is something unique and
mysterious about this group when I first joined, because
again it is more than just a percussion group. We are a
family. The atmosphere and vibe here is the strongest
that I have ever experience in
all my musical experiences,
and before I was only involved
in concert bands! Everyone
strives to be the best they
can possibly be and better;
both in musicianship and
performance. Every member,
no family member, is so
passionate about how they
approach and perform our
show. I love having the feeling
of knowing that as I am giving
it my all, so is everyone else.
Everyday I always think
about how lucky I am to be
a member of such a close
and unique group of people,
because there were so many
times where I was afraid I
wouldn’t be able to be a part
of it. Any activity that revolves
around creating something
unique and beautiful with
people that you consider a
second family, is definitely
worth fighting for.

Gabrielle,18
Grade 12
Fishers High School
Fishers, IN

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