GYMSOX Youth Group Band

Hours: 20

Area: Creativity

Date: August 2012-November 2012 (Sunday nights)

Learning Outcomes: Increase my awareness of my own strengths and areas for growth, undertake new challenges, work collaboratively with others.

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GYMSOX: Halloween Youth Group

Throughout the fall of my junior year, I spent time singing in the band at my Youth Group. Most Sundays, we would arrive at church around 4 P.M., learn about what songs we were singing, begin rehearing, and then spend the evening playing at both the middle school and high school youth groups. Working with the GYMSOX Youth Group band taught me a lot about my personal abilities and what I can handle, as well as how to work with others. For example, I became more aware of the fact that while I may be able to sing, I am weaker in certain areas, such as finding harmony right away. This is because I do not always listen to others singing around me, rather I am only listening to myself. By working with the others in the band, I was able to improve my skills in harmonizing during rehearsals, as well as take advice from more experienced members of the band. Likewise, I also began to undertake new challenges as time went on. When I first began participating in the band at youth group, I was not one to volunteer to take a solo or help pick a song that we were choosing to sing, however, as the year went on, I became more comfortable with these things and started challenging myself. As I challenged myself, my fellow band members were constantly supportive and helpful. As well as challenging myself and learning about my strengths and weaknesses, I obviously worked with others a lot too. Working with the other members of the band was not hard, we all communicated well and supported each other in a way that made it very easy to express your own opinion or ask a question.  I personally believe that as we grew closer as a group of people, our music skills improved because we communicated and worked together so well. Overall, working with the GYMSOX band was a great experience. I learned a lot about myself, working with others, and I learned to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. I am very glad I took the time to participate in the band, and hope this is something I can continue to do as time goes on.