Final #bandtour

This being my last #bandtour, I figured I would share a few thoughts as I ride back home on our lovely bus.

First, Hayden, Sarah and I won 3,232 tickets at Fiesta Fun Center. We're the cool kids. We got two unicorns, two fuzzy dice, one football, and one giant husky that we gave to a little boy who was wide eyed at our tickets.

Second,  I love being a musician. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is being able to tell someone your story and emotions through music. It blows my mind how a song can change someone's life. Sure every chord and note aren't perfectly in tune, but the emotion is real. This year we played probably my favorite piece that I have ever played. O Magnum Mysterium. This song is beautiful. If you haven't heard it, look it up. (Even though it doesn't compare to live) The song is written about the Birth of the savior Jesus Christ. "Oh Great Mystery" I have connected to spirit so much while playing it, even though my story for playing it wasn't connected to the gospel. The ending chords when I can just close my eyes and listen and picture the nativity brings tears to my eyes almost every time. I'm so grateful to be able to play music and be given the opportunity to play in one of these best programs in the state.

Third, I love my friends. This trip has been a roller coaster of emotions. But I'm so grateful for my best friend Sarah for always being there for me. (Lol bc she's sleeping on my lap rn) I'm so grateful she is in my life and I wouldn't be the same without her. On the trip, Sarah and I had some girls cry to us about feelings of inadequacy and just feeling the weight of the stress us teenagers are so used to. I just wanted to wrap them up in a hug and never let go. Everyone in my band is so amazing. I'm glad I could spend my senior year playing music with such talented musicians.

Fourth, Hiking is really really cool. In Hawaii, we hiked Dimond Head with a loaf of bread and it has become a wonderful tradition for us. Please enjoy some white girl photos of out adventures in Snow Canyons Park.

 

Owling. It's a thing.

 

Basically me the entire day bc I suck at climbing. Actually I was trying to do a hand stand so...

 

Sarah is flying to save the world.

All in all, Band Tours have treated me well and I am so so sad that this is the last one I will go on with the Westlake Band. Thanks for treating me like family and for all the Soda Shots in hotel rooms. Love you all Band Family!

 

"Music fills the void when we are so happy or so sad that we don't know what to do with ourselves. It heals us." -Dr.Fullmer, Director of Band at UVU

<3//Lizzy