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I've been involved with music for what feels like my whole life. I started choir in 3rd grade and band in 5th. I fell in love with music instantly and have expanded how involved I am in music ever since. I am now very involved with the different parts of our music program. It honestly has made me who I am today, it is and always will be a part of me. It is something that never fails to make me happy and I cannot imagine my life without it.

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Music has the been the cornerstone of my high school experience. Through music i’m able to funnel my creativity into something wonderful. I have made some of my best friends through choir and I’m able to be an overall better person because of music. I will forever be changed because of music and the music program at Fenton.

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Music has been a release for me and I feel connected through music in my life. The FHS music program has helped me so much to become a better person and have compassion for others. I am so happy to be able to express myself by using music.

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Music is my "Go To" - it has always been true as I raised my children, now encouraging my grandchildren to listen and DANCE to their Hearts Content. Music keep my Brain and Heart in Sync....

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Music is my "Go To" - it has always been true as I raised my children, now encouraging my grandchildren to listen and DANCE to their Hearts Content. Music keep my Brain and Heart in Sync....

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I am so pleased to be able to express this in words.

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Music In Our Schools Months... The Sound of My Heart

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Music In Our Schools Months... The Sound of My Heart

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Music has been such an amazing part of my life. It helped me express who I am, and shows me how to always push forward, even if things get very difficult.

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"Music is extremely important in our family. We listen to music everyday in this household. We laugh, cry, smile, we feel and let our thoughts unfold while listening to lyrics. Personally, it helps me work out a lot of thoughts that run through my mind. I guess Music is like my own little therapy, in some way.

Through the power of music, I learned to understand that I am not the only one that feels certain things for certain reasons - we all go through things - we are not alone. Music helps us all connect, by just listening - even when we can't be together."

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Music In Our Schools Month- The Sound of My Heart

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Music In Our Schools Month- The Sound of My Heart

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Music has helped me through the best and worst parts of my life. Whatever I am feeling, I can find a song to listen to. I am so lucky that I got to participate in band and choir. Band taught me to read music and do something incredible, play an instrument! Choir has and continues to be my rock. Whatever I am going through, when I am singing it is a way for me to express my emotions.
When I started choir in 4th grade, I never imagined all the good things it would bring me. So many of my friendships have come from choir. It has allowed me to be a part of an amazing community.
When we first started social distancing and remote learning, I remember missing the car rides and bus rides to school where I got to listen to music. I love listening to music at home, but it's a different feeling while in car/vehicle. Throughout the pandemic, music has allowed me to feel a type of normalcy. When I listen to music from before the pandemic, it brings memories of before, and how much we take for granted. Overall, music has and will continue to be a huge, amazing part of my life.

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music helped me to become a better person and helped me to make friends and have something fun to to do in life and it always fun to see when we get off topic and have fun with that it make me laugh and make my day and why i think that music is amazing sometimes to do it.

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I started band in 5th grade knowing later in my life it could help me get scholarships to college. What I didn't know was all the friends that I'd make doing it. I have really bad anxiety, but when I sit down and play music its like I'm watching me do something I never thought was possible. By being in band has helped me leave my comfort zone, decrease my anxiety, and most importantly learn that no matter who you are in band, choir or just a listener of music we all have that in common. I don't know one person who doesn't love some type of music. I am so grateful to say I am a band student because a lot of kids sadly don't have that opportunity.

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Music has been my whole life. It has especially gotten me through the ups and downs of high school. I would not be the person I am today without music and all the music related activities I am in.

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I need music in my life.  It helps with me with everything.  Ms. Velez

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I need music in my life.  It helps with me with everything.  Ms. Velez

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Ever since I was little, I was intrigued with all kinds of music. I would always play music that makes me feel warm and calming. When I was 8 years old I started to play the keyboard and it was my first instrument that I ever owned. That's when I started band and life has changed ever since. I realized two years later that music is not just putting on headphones or blasting just any kind of music on a speaker, music has meaning. Especially if a group is playing a piece of music, they don't just play it. They play it like they are in the music.
Music has been there when I haven't been feeling the best. Some music can help me through my emotions and some can bring my self esteem up. Even though I do not like some kinds of music but I am for sure think that music is a life changer for me and to other people as well.

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While music is a possible escape for me and my emotions, it's also the thing that helped me go out of my comfort zone and actually start taking some extracurriculars in middle school.

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I have been in band since 5th grade. Playing music has always been a passion of mine. I've had some of my best memories playing music with the band. I've also met some of my best friends through music. Even if it wasn't band music I was playing or listening to, all music has really saved me. I truly don't know where I would be without music. Jazz really warms my soul too. Which is why it truly makes me sad that this year was taken away from me. I didn't realize how much I took for granted until I barely had band class or jazz. I got jealous when I saw my friends being able to play their sport during this time and I was still stuck on Zoom. Because of this, I have learned to appreciate things while I have it. I'm not sure if I am pursuing music after high school in any form and that kind of scares me because I've always had my instrument with me. Music will forever be in my heart.

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Music has been and will always be a part of my life, even if I don't choose to pursue it after high school. It will always be something that I can enjoy with friends and family and will always be present in my fondest memories.

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I don't think there are many things in life that can compare to being part of a choir, let alone this one that is so special to everyone in it. We become a family and we create beautiful sound that everyone is proud to be a part of. Music gives everyone a chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

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As a music teacher and ensemble director, I have the distinct pleasure of hearing the "hearts" of all of my students when they practice and perform.

When I'm on the podium or in the classroom, I hear and see the concentration, effort, and focus of my students emoting through their instruments.  I think to myself "look at what that kid is doing...they're making music....they're making it happen....they're expressing themselves!"  It is such a rewarding experience to see an hear at every level, with every student, each and every day.

I sorely miss that experience and I know our students do too.  They have been asked to do something that they did not sign up for.  All I can say is thank you for continuing to pursue your "heart" by participating in music.  Thank you for continuing to search for ways to let those emotions out.

I cannot wait to see and hear all of you again very soon.  Keep those musical fires stoked, students, for the time will come when that fire will roar once again!

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Music has been very nice to me. i listen to it while i play games, and while i am working sometimes. i have been listening to the same music for almost 9 years and i still can like it. Iv always been more of a traditional type person who sticks to the same type of music and whatever i do on a daily basis, but it really does help me.

I don't like to listen to all music, for one, i don't really like rap. i listen to more either soothing music or i listen to music that i feel i can connect to. a lot of it is pop music and sometimes rock though.

i enjoy music because it help me get through times and sometimes i would just hole myself up in my headphones and listen to music in the corner. i feel like anyone can like music, they just cant be too judgemental. if you are too judgemental about anything, you cannot see a clear path for that topic. its like a cloud that keeps getting shadier and shadier. just try to be the light that shines in that path and learn to understand not only the music more, but other people. everyone should try to understand stuff and not judge others whether its about their music, or anything in life.
-Christopher
Prena

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Music has always been something I grew up with. Either it was pop music, country music, jazz, or any of that. All the sort of genres make an impact on me. It has always allowed me to escape reality, which allowed me to hear stories, to hear life messages that I need. It always been a source that helps me remember stuff as well. It also encouraged me through the rough times as well. I had lost many important people in my life throughout 2020 - 2021, my dad had gotten diagnosed with cancer, and much more. But music helped me push through all the hard stuff, since it was sorce I was able to look at and listen to or be able to play on my instrument, and remind me that everyone would be okay and etc.. To conclude, music has always been apart of my life, and it is something I will definitely carry into my future.

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To me, music is an incarnation of emotions. Music takes listeners on a ride and gives us something to connect our emotions to.

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Music has always been a part of our family life since I was little. We would have music on to get the chores done, music to decorate the Christmas Tree, music to do my homework, later in life, music to soothe my babies (I loved to sing to them) and as they grew to watch them dance and the same family traditions I had. I love to be a part of a choir and sing at church or just riding in my car and singing with the radio. Music brings such memories to my heart. Sometimes they are hard, like singing together at our Grandma's funeral or the hardest of all singing "Amazing Grace" to our Dad as he passed away in his hospital room. Music can bring tears of joy even in those moments. Music like the beating of your heart makes you feel!!

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I don't know where I'd be without music. Although I've had my ups and downs with it, I think music has been a huge part of who I have become. By always challenging myself I've become more resilient and capable of overcoming obstacles. Now, while being at home, I've turned to music for comfort and whether I was listening to it or performing, I just felt at peace.

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When I listen to music I listen for the shared experience between myself and the artist. I love that someone can illicit an emotion in me by baring their soul and vulnerabilities, which inspires me to be vulnerable emotionally with others. Music is connection, and in humanity connection requires communication. I believe that music is a superior vehicle of communication in its ability to validate all human experience through the act of simply listening. And if you do more than listen, maybe you dance or sing a long or play an instrument or tap your foot you're doing more than validating, you're an audience and participant in the healing of communities.

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To me...music is rhythm. I often don't really listen to the lyrics, it is the beat that draws me in. I never learned how to play an instrument, but I am quite sure this goes back to my training as a classical Irish dancer. Whenever a song comes on, I am always counting out the rhythm in my head. I find myself putting everything I do to a rhythm. I even count brushing my teeth to an 8-count :). I find the rhythm of music can dictate my mood. It can pep me up, or slow me down. That is the way that music most clearly speaks to me.

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Music has always been there for me when I couldn't really turn to other people. Especially this year. During this year, I really dove into playing my instrument. I started noticing after we were sent home, my instrument and singing were the only things from regular life that I still had. Music helped me find something to look forward too while my mother was going through cancer. Music has saved me from depression and sever anxiety. Music has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember, and I want other students to continue finding ways to learn and enjoy music much like I do. Music is my life.

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Music is always on my mind. Whether it be the blend of a choir at a choral concert, or a cool lyric, there isn’t a moment that goes by that music isn’t a part of me. I’m so grateful for the freedom and peacefulness that music offers.

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My dad is a musician and music has been a part of my life since I was born. From attending his performances, to learning to sing and joining choir, music has always given me a place to create, escape, and be.

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Music has always been a part of my life. When I was younger, I played the flute and sang and realized just how much music brought joy to my life. In high school I was in band AND choir. I remember feeling really lucky to be able to take both every single year. Not only did I get to deepen my love for music, but I was able to build strong friendships with my peers who had similar interests. The music program created such a strong community and bond that just translated into every aspect of school. I still continue to work with music today because of my experiences with music in school.

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The pandemic has changed a lot of factors in my life but the one thing that hasn't changed is my love for music. This past year has been rough for everyone and personally I found that music has been my savior. Not only in choir but just out in my life, music has brought so many of us together. Whether it be jamming to songs on the radio with my friends, or listening to music while I do homework, music has truly helped me get through the hardest days of my life.

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When I hear young voices singing together I am filled with hope for tomorrow.

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Music refreshes my spirit, inspires me to dance, and helps me taste beauty. Like the grandeur of nature, the joy of new life, and the desire for meaning, it convinces me that there's a God.

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Music has been a part of my life since I was little, my parents played and sang songs. I've always had a love of music, finding comfort in the choir and music rooms of my life. It also, interestingly enough, has been helpful in my life, being able to hear wrong notes and when it doesn't sound quite right. This year, music has been my escape, both writing it and listening to it, and just being around it. Music fuels my life, and will fuel my life as long as I live

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Although I am not a musician, everyone in my immediate family is. The power of music in their lives has been transformative. In my own life, all of my important moments & memories have a soundtrack associated with them - music definitely is the sound of my heart & my family's hearts <3