I am Joey Safrit, a Freshman at Appalachian State University studying Trombone Performance and Sacred Music. I love everything music! If I am not creating music in some form, via singing, playing trombone, or playing piano / keyboard, I am listening to music, or at least hearing it in my head. I have had opportunities to collaborate during my time as a musician and look forward to more. During my high school years, I participated in my church orchestra, One Sound, where I worked to collaborate with professional musicians as well as other church members and the choir to create and perform Christmas and Easter music programs. I also played weekly with the youth praise band where I played keyboard, providing music for both singers, and during times of prayer and reflection. Collaborating with the rest of the band members made for beautiful music and worshipful moments in church. I was also privileged to participate in my high school's first ever Jazz Band. Collaborating with other musically inclined peers, and creating Jazz improvisations with them was a highlight to my high school music career. We were even able to collaborate with the school chorus group, Kings Revue, to play a jazzy rendition of Baby It's Cold Outside, to which they sang and performed a choreographed dance. Right now I am participating in Trombone Choir, Wind Ensemble, and am a member of the Marching Mountaineers at Appalachian State University. The Marching Mountaineers just performed a collaborative pregame and half time show with UNC Charlotte's band. This was an unusual collaboration where we played some of the same music, and worked together to present a combined pregame show. Each band practiced individually, and then spent the morning and all day on game day, working together to perform a set of music by native North Carolina artists. We performed together in the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a fantastic time of music and camaraderie between the bands of the opposing teams. I am learning more about music and collaboration in my studies at Appalachian State University. I hope to be a Minister of Music at a church, and will have the opportunity to create collaborations of different groups of performers and musicians to provide the most worshipful experience possible for the congregation. Psalm 150 says we are to praise the Lord with all manner of instruments, and voices. It is my goal to one day offer my works of collaboration to God and help those around me worship and better know Him through music and song. I hope that you will consider me, as I would love to honor Pamela Branchini, and continue to make collaborations that would make her proud.

Music has been a part of my life since before I was born. When I was in my mother's womb, she sang to me. She loves to tell the story of how she was in church, and when the choir sang an especially upbeat song, I was so excited inside her, that I jumped and kicked the hymnal that was resting on her belly so hard it fell to the floor, surprising the whole church. The preacher told the choir it was so good, even the babies in the womb are shouting with joy! I remember my mother singing Lullaby to me every night as a young child. We always sang in the car anytime we had to take a drive. My parents recently found a video of me, about 18 months old, standing on my tiptoes, barely reaching the piano keys, banging out music, and singing a song of gibberish. Music has been a part of my life from the get go. It is my outlet, my muse, my comfort. No matter what is going on in my life, music can comfort, calm, or motivate me. It is my constant. I am currently a Freshman at Appalachian State University, where I am studying music. I am double majoring in Trombone Performance, and Sacred Music. It is important to me to continue my education so that I can improve my musicality, honing my skills as a trombonist, as well as prepare me for a life of ministry. I ultimately want to work in the field of music ministry, and I need this training to follow my calling. I love music whether I'm whistling, playing music, singing to the radio, or just listening to it. I have devoted my life to music in various ways. I began playing piano in third grade. I learned to play the trombone in sixth grade. During my senior year of high school, I was the trombone section leader. I made all-district, all-county, and all-state band this past school year. Kings Mountain High School, my high school, has not had anyone go to all-state in over 20 years, making it even more of an accomplishment. I understand that I have a God given talent in music, and I have had many opportunities to use this talent in school and church. I often used my talent to help others. I tutored many of my band member peers with their auditions and helped them make all-district. I have been able to participate in the inaugural Jazz Band at my high school, and even played a solo improvisation. I have been playing keyboard in my church youth praise band for 4 years. I have been able to play trombone in my church youth orchestra. I enjoy playing piano at my neighbor's house, he is a retired music minister who is no longer able to make music himself. I have had the privilege of bringing joy to others with my music. My greatest joy has been helping others worship at church. Music is one of the few things in life that can evoke emotion, whether that is making people happy, calm, sad or excited. I love being able to play music that makes people feel, and focus on our God. It is my hope to be able to use my musical talent to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I hope you will consider helping me continue my education with the Armstrong Family Legacy Scholarship for Future Ministry Leaders so I can build and continue my own legacy of ministry.

To begin my essay I would like to say I'm sorry for your loss. Music has been a part of my life since before I was born. When I was in my mother's womb, she sang to me. She loves to tell the story of how she was in church, and when the choir sang an especially upbeat song, I was so excited inside her, that I jumped and kicked the hymnal that was resting on her belly so hard it fell to the floor, surprising the whole church. The preacher told the choir it was so good, even the babies in the womb are shouting with joy! I remember my mother singing Lullaby to me every night as a young child. We always sang in the car anytime we had to take a drive. My parents recently found a video of me, about 18 months old, standing on my tiptoes, barely reaching the piano keys, banging out music, and singing a song of gibberish. Music has been a part of my life from the get go. It is my outlet, my muse, my comfort. No matter what is going on in my life, music can comfort, calm, or motivate me. It is my constant. In the fall, I am going to Appalachian State University to study music. I will double major in Trombone Performance, and Sacred Music. It is important to me to continue my education so that I can improve my musicality, honing my skills as a trombonist. I ultimately want to work in the field of music ministry, and I need this training to follow my calling. I love music whether I'm whistling, playing music, singing to the radio, or just listening to it. I have devoted my life to music in various ways. I began playing piano in third grade. I learned to play the trombone in sixth grade. During my senior year of high school, I was the trombone section leader. I made all-district, all-county, and all-state band this past school year. Kings Mountain High School has not had anyone go to all-state in over 20 years, making it even more of an accomplishment. I understand that I have a God given talent in music, and I have had many opportunities to use this talent in school and church. I often used my talent to help others. I tutored many of my band member peers with their auditions and helped them make all-district. I have been able to participate in the inaugural Jazz Band at my high school, and even played a solo improvisation. I have been playing keyboard in my church youth praise band for 4 years. I have been able to play trombone in my church youth orchestra. I enjoy playing piano at my neighbor's house, he is a retired music minister who is no longer able to make music himself. I have had the privilege of bringing joy to others with my music. My greatest joy has been helping others worship at church. Music is one of the few things in life that can evoke emotion, whether that is making people happy, calm, sad or excited. I love being able to play music that makes people feel, and focus on our God. It is my hope to be able to use my musical talent to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I hope you will allow me to honor the memory of Treye Knorr by helping me continue my music education at Appalachian State University and bring music to those around me. Thank you!

To begin my essay I would like to say I'm sorry for your loss. Music has been a part of my life since before I was born. When I was in my mother's womb, she sang to me. She loves to tell the story of how she was in church, and when the choir sang an especially upbeat song, I was so excited inside her, that I jumped and kicked the hymnal resting on her belly so hard it fell to the floor, surprising the whole church. The preacher told the choir it was so good, even the babies in the womb are shouting with joy! I remember my mother singing Lullaby to me every night as a young child. We always sang in the car anytime we had to take a drive. My parents recently found a video of me, about 18 months old, standing on my tiptoes, barely reaching the piano keys, banging out music, and jabbering a song. Music has been a part of my life from the get go. It is my outlet, my muse, my comfort. No matter what is going on in my life, music can comfort, calm, or motivate me. It is my constant. In the fall, I am going to Appalachian State University to study music. I will double major in Trombone Performance, and Sacred Music. It is important to me to continue my education so that I can improve my musicality, honing my skills as a trombonist. I ultimately want to work in music ministry, and I need this training to follow my calling. I love music whether I'm whistling, playing music, singing to the radio, or just listening to it. I have devoted my life to music in various ways. I began playing piano in third grade. I learned to play the trombone in sixth grade. During my senior year of high school, I was the trombone section leader. I recently made all-state band, and Kings Mountain High School has not had anyone go to all-state in over 20 years, making it even more of an accomplishment. I understand that I have a God given talent in music, and I have used this talent to help others. I tutored many of my band member peers with their auditions and helped them make all-district. I have been able to participate in the inaugural Jazz Band at my high school, and even played a solo improvisation. I have been playing keyboard in my church youth praise band for 4 years. I have been able to play trombone in my church youth orchestra. I have had the privilege of bringing joy to others with my music. My greatest joy has been helping others worship at church. Music is one of the few things in life that can evoke emotion, whether that is making people happy, calm, or excited. I love being able to play music that makes people feel, and focus on our God. It is my hope to be able to use my talent to bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I hope you will allow me to honor the memory of Brittany McGlone by helping me continue my music education at Appalachian State University and bring music to those around me. Thank you!

My name is Joey, and my why is MUSIC and the people I get to meet everywhere I go. When I go to school, I always look forward to my last class. My last class of the day is band. I get up every morning, and go to school early, just so I get to play music and enjoy the presence of other musicians. Another part of my "why" is the musicians I get to meet and surround myself with. I recently made the All-State band, and while I was there, I met many different people from all across the state. Although we were so different in where we came from and what instrument we played, we all had one thing in common: MUSIC. We all were there because we enjoyed music and because we individually had dedicated ourselves to being the best we could be. I can add to the creativity of music in so many ways. I have played in many different bands throughout my life, and each group is uniquely different. The clinician at All-State said something that stuck with me about our group and about every group: "This group is unique because no group will ever exist like it,” he said, "There will never be a band that does what you do. Even if you all came back and played the same music with the same clinician, you could not replicate the music we will perform exactly.” I think that goes to show that everyone who dedicates themselves to music and to becoming a better musician will make a difference and bring creativity to their art. I have played in the Jazz Band at my high school. I was allowed to perform an improvised solo, which was nerve-racking, but super exciting! I was allowed to perform about 16 measures, creating and playing whatever I wanted to play. I played everything from a variation of the melody, to a minor arpeggio, and everything in between - even a glissando - and I was allowed to show my creativity and enjoy the moment, breathing life into the music through my trombone. My lifelong project is to become the best musician I can be. I know it will take a lot of work and commitment, but it will be worth the hard work. I pushed myself a little bit, and over a year, I went from 4th chair at All-District to 2nd chair at All-District and 6th at All-State. I know now that with hard work and time well spent, I can do anything I put my mind to. Please consider me for the Mad Grad Scholarship, and thank you for this opportunity!

Music is my life and my passion. My mom loves telling the story about how when I was in her belly and a great song was sung at church I jumped so hard it knocked the hymnal right off her belly! I always have a song in my head or spilling out of me. I have trained on piano, keyboard, and trombone. I have played trombone in my school band, and in my church orchestra. I am privileged to perform weekly with my youth group's praise band. I have lived for Friday Night Football so I could play in the stands, march on the field and support my team with music. I was fortunate to be awarded Distinguished Junior last year in my high school band, and qualified for All District Band as the 4th chair trombone. I am currently the 1st chair trombonist in my high school band, and serve as section leader. I recently qualified for and performed as 2nd chair trombonist in this year's All District Band, and have earned a prestigious spot in this year’s All State Band. This is the first time in 20 years that a band member has been able to make All State Band. I arrive at school 45 minutes early most days to get in practice and one-on-one feedback from my band director. I have been honored by being asked to help prepare and tutor younger band students at the high school and also at the middle school. I took piano lessons for about three years, and then became so busy with other obligations, I ran out of time for continued formal lessons. However, I have learned to play keyboard, and have served as the keyboardist in our youth praise band for the past two years. I play keyboard every Wednesday night for the praise band in my church, and have been able to play at several multi-church functions in our area. I enjoy being on stage performing, and love it when the audience is feeling the music and worshipping. I love knowing that I play a part in helping others grow in their faith. I have been accepted to Appalachian State University's music program. I look forward to studying Music Performance, and double majoring in Sacred Music. It is my goal to serve in a music ministry, using my talents to create music that will honor God and uplift fellow believers. I would also like to spend time performing gigs with friends. I'd love to create a jazz group that would play on the weekends and earn some extra money. I am also interested in completing a Study Abroad program. There have been so many times in my life, when things were going wrong all around me, and that one, focusing, calming element in my life was music. I honestly do not know what I would do without it. I enjoy singing, but if I can't sing, I am always moving my imaginary slide, or playing imaginary keys and moving to the rhythm that is ever flowing from my mind and soul. I am so thankful for the opportunity to continue my education and become a better musician. I hope you will consider me for the Neil Margeson Sound Scholarship, and allow me to represent him in my pursuit of a musical career.

The opening scene to "Music Man," would begin with a showcase of my mom, pregnant with me, sitting in church as the choir sings a particularly spirited song. As she sits, tapping her toes, with her hymnal resting on her protruding belly that houses me, the camera zooms in on me, inside, dancing around, enjoying the music outside, and then, as I give an equally spirited kick, the hymnal flies from her belly onto the floor. Church members laugh, and the preacher says, "Even from the womb, Jesus is praised by that music! Thank you choir!" Then there are snapshots, and short clips of me as I begin my life, the life of a Music Man. You see me as a baby, with my mom singing lullabies to soothe me and help me sleep. As a toddler, I ride in the car, choosing song after song to sing as I'm buckled safely in the back seat. You see me singing in the children's choir, praising my God. I'm taking piano lessons, and practicing daily. We fast forward to me learning to play trombone in 5th grade. I'm performing in a church service of music, loving the claps and accolades of the congregation afterward, and the fullness of the worship in the church. We hear a conversation between my mom and the youth pastor, telling her that they are looking for a keyboardist. Although they usually only have Juniors and Seniors, they would love to have me, even though I'm only a Freshman. Then you see me playing the keyboard in the youth praise band. You see me playing trombone at church in the youth orchestra. As a Junior, I'm performing in the church orchestra for the Easter Cantata alongside professional musicians, and surprisingly earning my first payment for performing. You see my smiling face as I'm marching in the halftime show, and dancing and playing on a Friday night in the stands at the football game. The last flashback is me playing on stage at Appalachian State University during a Student for a Day event. This is the journey thus far that leads me to a life of professional music, culminating in my ability to serve in music ministry. As we move into the future, you see me obtaining my education at Appalachian State University. I continue in the marching band. I am part of the North Carolina Band of Distinction! I continue to immerse myself in concert bands, orchestras, and ensembles, and learn a variety of instruments. I play in the Steel Pan Band and enjoy the performances, with my parents beaming in the audience. This is their Alma Mater, and they couldn't be more proud! I perform on stages in Spain, Italy, and Austria during study abroad sessions. I continue to be in love with all things musical. I finish my degrees in Music Performance - Trombone, and Sacred Music. My family surrounds me at graduation, reminiscing on the hard work and fun it took to get here. Moving into my postgraduate life, I write music for high school bands, giving them affordable options for great music. I lead worship teams in my church. I meet my beautiful wife. She too loves music and sings like the most eloquent songbird ever. We spend our weekends performing together in quaint venues, sharing our talents and love of music with the world. We get to live our lives, living our dreams. Floating through life like the notes of our song in the wind.

I live and breathe music. From the time I wake in the morning, until the time I go to sleep, I am listening to, playing, humming or singing to music. I play piano, keyboard, and have played trombone for the past seven years. I am interested in learning other instruments as well. My music has already afforded me multiple fantastic opportunities. I am excited to be able to continue my education, improving my musicality and preparing me for a career in music ministry. I am currently the keyboardist for my church youth group praise band. I have held this position for the past four years. I was the youngest youth allowed to hold this position, and have held it the longest of any other youth in the history of our youth praise band. I love being able to play music that adds to the worship experience. I play trombone in my church orchestra, where I have been able to play alongside professional musicians for several church musicals. I am the first chair trombonist in my school band. I was awarded Most Distinguished Junior last year. I have auditioned for and placed in the All District Band the past two years, and have just auditioned for All State Band. I have auditioned for and was able to play in the Jazz Band at my school the last three years. I was section leader during Marching Band, and enjoyed every Friday night in the stands and on the field during halftime. I just recently began learning baritone and trumpet. I have been given the opportunity to serve as a tutor for underclassmen in my school band. I have gone to school early, and stayed after school to help students who were trying out for our Jazz Band, and also to help students prepare for concerts. I have been fortunate to be asked to travel to the nearby middle school to help the band directors teach classes to the rising high schoolers. I have been able to help students improve their sound and timing. I really enjoy watching others improve their craft under my tutelage. I have been admitted to Appalachian State University's music department, and will attend in the Fall of 2025. I plan to study Music Performance, and Sacred Music. I hope to study abroad during my time at Appalachian, so that I can study music in Spain, Italy, or somewhere in Europe. I am excited about the variety of musical experiences available to me at Appalachian. I hope to immerse myself in all things musical, adding even more variety to my skills and experiences. Upon graduation from college, it is my goal to obtain employment in the area of music ministry. I want to be able to continue to praise God, and help others worship. I hope to bring the same joy to others through my music, that my music brings me. I also plan to make music and play gigs on the side, to continue to hone my skills, and broaden my horizons. I hope to continue to maintain relationships with my friends in the music world by playing different venues with them. It would be my honor to be awarded the Marshall and Dorothy Smith Music Scholarship. It would allow me to meet my goals of improving my music skills, continuing to make music, and bringing music to others in my world. I would be able to help others worship, and bring the joy of music to friends, family, and those around me.