Music Moves the Soul
The National FFA Convention & Expo is a time of year when FFA members from all over the country come together to celebrate a year full of success, leadership and service.
However, before the sea of blue descends on Indianapolis, the National FFA Band and Chorus arrive early to begin rehearsals.
Members from across the United States apply to be a part of these prestigious groups by submitting an application virtually. The FFA Band and FFA Chorus are not just groups of FFA members filled with musical talent—but rather a family.
Music has a unique way of bringing members together, creating connections between individuals from different backgrounds who share one common passion: music. For members of the National FFA Band, music is much more than just playing an instrument; it’s an opportunity to connect with members from all walks of life.
Riley Griffith, a member of the Skyline FFA Chapter, said, “I joined the National FFA Band because I wanted to reach my music to different people throughout the FFA community. I walked into the band knowing two people, and a week later, I walked out of the band knowing everyone’s name and being friends with everyone.”
FFA has given many members lifelong friendships, and Mollie Ruff, a member of the Hodgeman County FFA Chapter, experienced this firsthand when she participated in the National FFA Chorus for the first time. Through her experience in the choir, she connected with fellow members from across the country and discovered how quickly a stranger can become a new friend.
“I met so many amazing people from around the country, and they taught me that the world is full of kindness, and that you can become really good friends with strangers that you’ve only known for five minutes,” Ruff says. Through the National FFA Chorus, Ruff discovered that sometimes the strongest friendships begin with strangers who share a love for music and FFA.
While many people believe that FFA focuses solely on agriculture, the National FFA Organization offers a wide variety of opportunities for members to explore their interests. For James Marquardt, a member of the Greeley County FFA Chapter, one of those opportunities allowed him to combine two of his favorite things: FFA and band.
“I wanted to be in the National FFA Band because it connected FFA with band, which I just so happened to be good at. I had done the Kansas FFA Band, which I enjoyed. I had also been to national convention once, which I loved, and the National FFA Band was a perfect excuse to go back,” Marquardt says. The National FFA Band allows for members like Marquardt to share their musical talents while representing FFA on a national stage.
The blue jacket may represent an FFA member’s state and chapter, but the friendships formed through the National FFA Band and Chorus reach far beyond. Through shared music, members from across the country find common ground, turning a national stage into a place of belonging. For Micah Ballard, a member of the Inman FFA Chapter and the South Central District president, participating in the national chorus revealed how far connections can reach.
“My experience in the national chorus has been so great. All the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve gained have shown me that this organization is so much bigger than my local chapter,” Ballard says.
Felicity Speidel, a member of the Eudora FFA Chapter, experienced the National FFA Band for the first time this year. Speidel had set a goal to travel out of state with her instrument and perform on a larger stage, and the National FFA Band gave her the opportunity to make that goal a reality. Through this experience, she grew as a musician, connected with FFA members from numerous states, and made lasting memories with people who share a passion for music. Speidel encourages others to take advantage of the opportunity, saying, “You will become a better player, get an experience of a lifetime, and you will leave with new best friends!”
Next time a unique opportunity comes your way, take advantage of it, even if you have to do it scared. As country music artist Cody Johnson reminds us in his song, “‘Til You Can’t”:
“If you got a chance, take it, take it while you got a chance. If you got a dream, chase it, ‘cause a dream won’t chase you back.”
Never let fear keep you from pursuing something that could possibly change your life forever. You may never get the same opportunity twice, so be brave and take a leap of faith.
