Short Stories 2015-2020 Collection

Personal Belief Memoire

"Life's A Song"

It was August 27, 2012 I was on my way to pick out the instrument I wanted. I really wanted to play the flute, but my mother insisted that I play violin because my family has played violin for generations. Honestly I was scared. I didn't know for sure if I should play it. Once I picked it up I didn't know how much it would change my life. My first two years of playing I didn't like it as much, but my mother told me that it'd get better with time. At first I was confused, curious, I didn't know why or how I was ever going to get this thing to even play something decent. Patience was all I needed. After a while I started to connect more with music, and soon it became a part of my everyday life.

In seventh grade, everything got better. I practiced hard and I was ranked number two in our Orchestra. I connected to the music. Playing my violin is all I wanted to do. I loved having orchestra everyday, unlike elementary. I think that's what made me feel happy. I finally had found something that I liked to do. Playing violin made me feel free. It made me feel as graceful as a bird soaring through the sky. Nothing could make me upset, or stand in my way. On our first concert on November 3, 2014 we played halloween songs. I didn't know what to expect from the other groups there. I was supposed to go to O'connell Middle School but I went to Carmody because I wanted to be with my friends. I never looked into any of their music programs. Once I heard Bear Creek's Chamber Orchestra I knew one day I'd be in that group. What'd that do? It made me work even harder.

When Freshman year started, I made the best group of friends ever in the Orchestra. Kira, Delaney, and Kieran are the best friends I've had through every friend I've made in elementary and middle school. We all play the same instrument, braid each other's hair, go in during lunch and go in for study hall to practice together, and hang out on the weekends sometimes. On November 6,2016 all of us were in a group together for Tag Day. Tag Day is where we go around asking for donations to our Music Program. Together we collected $200 dollars in our little group. We all had fun together afterwards at the park. Without Orchestra I'd probably be more quiet, and have a very few friends. I've learned to be more happy and outgoing. Through our three day Holiday Concert night's, we all played games. Mostly truth or dare. Somehow my friend group ended up getting every Orchestra and Band kid to play. Those nights I made even more friends. Orchestra is the best decision that I've made. Without it my whole life would be completely different.

Last month I made the decision to audition for the Chamber Orchestra. Everything I've been working towards was what I'd needed to use to get in. I was finally ready to show everything I had. In order to pull this audition off I knew I'd have to practice never like before. Everyday I practiced at lunch, during study hall, and until dinner was ready at home. On April 4,2017 I auditioned. I was confident in myself, but that couldn't scare away my nervousness. I'd never auditioned for anything before. I was brave, I knew this was one little step to get everything I'd wanted in Orchestra. My audition wasn't as good as I'd liked it to be, but after I played the teacher said I did really good, and complimented a lot. My bow didn't go away from me, I sounded really confident while playing, and my hand position was really good. All of these are issues I've had since I began playing and knowing that they were perfect for the audition was all I needed to feel really happy with my audition. I would tell you the results but I won't know until after I submit this (April 10th is when I find out if I got in).

At the beginning of playing violin, if I knew all of this would happen, then I would have never been upset about not being able to play the flute. I would have been more interested in playing the violin sooner. Music has shown me how to be myself. It's shown me how much music affects my life daily. That is why "Life's a Song" because it repeats and grows non stop, shaping our lives for better or for worse.