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Goodness! Classes, marching band, pep band, university band, percussion ensemble,
klezmer band, Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Kristin Glidden's Senior Recital, Stevenson Dining, Kappa Kappa Psi, my roommate,
my floormates, and lots of practicing have been among the many people and activities that have kept me busy this school year.
What? Lauren....busy? No way! Well...I thought that leaving all of my extra-curricular activities from Effingham
High School would leave me with a relaxing year ahead of me at NIU, but I was wrong. I just can't resist the urge to
get involved! You all should know that by now! Plus, with my goal of getting accepted into the percussion studio
in the NIU School of Music I've kept busy... practicing more during this one year than I have practiced in my entire
life! I know...it's sad...but it's true. But the good news is that all of my hard work paid off! I got in!
I'm now on the road to becoming an official music educator and I'm pumped! I've learned so much this year...proper percussion
techniques to utilize on the various instruments within the percussion family...and the marimba has become my significant
other. Ha! I've spent more time with a marimba than I have studying or doing anything else. And this is
only the beginning. Ahhh!!!! No...it's all good, great, exciting, and rewarding. Let me tell you...after
learning the proper techniques to play bar percussion, my performances have been much more fulfilling. Knowing I'm doing
things the right way, creating the most beautiful sounds possible...feels great! I only hope that I can instill all
of these thoughts, feelings, and techniques into my percussion students this summer. Wish me Luck!
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