College Admissions Essay: How Classical Music Changed My Life

Even though music has always been a prevalent part of my life, for the longest time I had no idea what direction I wanted to go with my life. The only thing I knew I wanted was to have music still be in my life. In middle school, the band director was not someone who inspired a love of music into his students. For that reason, over the years I saw many people quit. But it never once occurred to me to also quit. From Freshman year to Senior year I saw the numbers of my grade and instrument go from almost fifteen down to three. The directors at the high school spent every living moment trying their hardest to inspire music into the lives of students.

When I was just five years old I had my very first experience with a musical instrument. My older brother, Kevin, had brought a clarinet home to practice it in preparation for his weekly private lessons. Once he entered the sixth grade and joined his middle school’s band I became more and more familiar with music as I attended every one of his concerts. Always intrigued but never fascinated, not once did I think that I would one day pick up an instrument of my own. As my brother quickly became a proficient clarinet player, he was selected to perform in one of the California Band Director’s Association Allstate Bands every year. I noticed the improvement in my brother’s performances as he got older and I wondered if I would be able to perform like him one day. Soon after, my family consisting of my mother, father, and brother, moved to the far away land of Georgia. One year after settling down in Marietta, Georgia, I entered the fourth grade at East Side Elementary school. It was my turn to choose an instrument because my brother had begun to play his instrument in the fourth

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

After sophomore year, I switched to a different teacher in the piano school who was known for only teaching students that were above average musicians. I was baffled as to why she was taking me as a student, but it didn’t stop me from being elated. My junior year was spent playing challenging music by Bach, Grieg, and other notable composers. I couldn’t have been happier. That year I also played a piano part for my school’s musical and almost cried on several occasions because of its bewildering nature. The experience during the musical was the final decider that professional music wasn’t for

Like many freshmen, I arrived at high school totally lost. Middle school had been fun, for sure, but I had never found my niche during those three years. I did not play a sport, I was not part of a tight-knit clique, and, while I had found a high degree of success in school, I was never the academic star of my class. Certainly I had friends and I enjoyed school, but no pursuit of passion had found me yet. Band was my saving grace—I truly believe that, if I had not joined band in the fifth grade, it would have taken me far longer to find my way in life. Even now, I am still feeling the walls for a light that will show me my path, but music and academics have guided me this far.

The power of education resides within its ability to fruitfully illuminate and transform the mind of a student. Unfortunately, when this education lacks depth and substance it can limit the student in a manner that creates toxicity towards growing. One of the subjects that helps create a robust scholar but always finds itself in danger is music education. As a musician, most of my work has been in practicing and performing, but the more important aspect of my passion that is often overlooked is giving back through educating the younger generation.

Although my interests are numerous, my passions are very few. First and foremost, I have a passion for classical music. There is an indescribable sensation I feel when hearing Johann Pachelbel’s Gigue, “The Variations of The Canon,” preformed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. For three minutes and two-seconds, I was mesmerized and I realized why I persuaded my mother to buy me his CD. His music, in its grandeur and consonance is perfect, the climax of coloratura repertoire, hitting every F note with glorious precision as the forty piece orchestra projects their brilliant voice. The last movement of Beethoven’s “Pastorale” symphony overwhelms me with the simplicity of its majestic melody repeating itself through crescendos, building itself to toward a climax, only to resolve with a final electrifying current rendered by a solo French horn. However, the feeling composing this music lacks parallel. When I hum Mozart’s melodious lieder, I can hardly control my shivers, convinced Mozart wrote his famous song cycles especially form me. My love of classical music has been enriched, and has reached a point where it defines me, and its hold on me is unshakeable; to neglect it would be impossible.

Education has not been an option for me, growing up in an African household. Many children would have been bothered by this request, however I took it upon myself to implement it in everyway that I could. That I thank my mother for. As a person who values education as a key to having a successful life, I also know that simply believing in yourself will lead to bigger and better moments. I was once told that “Highschool is like a door of opportunities. All that you do will lead to a door either opening or closing.” It stuck with me and I have since been thankful for it because it allowed me to see what and how I wanted to live my life, even at such a young age. Loving myself for who I am, and knowing that education is power kept me on track and intack to achieving fulfillment within myself. And in the moment I cut all of my hair off, my sophomore year in highschool, I knew that this one little change of my appearance would bring loads of realization to my life.

Musical performance is fleeting. It is not a scientific discovery that is lauded for years to come. It is not a painting or ancient artifact that grows old in a museum. It only exists in the moment. It is the ultimate expression of who a person is, not by the general definitions that they have fit for their entire lives, but who they are in one, precise, and raw moment. It is they highest form that the now can

“I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.” This famous quote said by Billy Joel does a good job describing the way music can affect people. Different songs can impact people, change their moods, or bring back memories related to a certain tune. Each person, however, has their own unique taste in music; one song can be loved by one but hated by another, it all depends on our personal taste and what we can relate to. This made me wonder, what does the music I listen to say about myself? Do the lyrics define who I am as a person, or do I simply like songs because of the beat? As I looked at my top ten playlist,

We are a small school in a large world, but it is easy to witness even a small orchestra swaying to the urge of the conductor and realize beauty. Our school’s musical teachers urge this upon us - the silence after a performance, where every person in the room - musician, conductor, listener - stills, holding their breath, captivated by what just happened. My orchestra teacher says that it is beauty in its purest form, and it is one of the few truths in this world. I have seen music bring people to tears; I have seen the stoic swoon to the caress of Grieg’s melodies, and the shy fall in love to a slow song. I love my community for supporting all of these activities full-heartedly with a new, gorgeous school and fine arts center. The purpose

Of all the talents I possess, none has shaped my life quite like music has. It was almost a given for me to join band once I reached middle school since my sister was a skilled flute player. When I went to my middle school's "pick-an-instrument" night, I had a pronounced idea of what I wanted to play, the trumpet. In fact I was so eager to play trumpet, I rented one to indulge myself with in the weeks prior. However, among the widespread instrument choices, Mr. Singmaster, the wise and witty middle school band director, suggested I try the Bassoon, a whimsical, wooden, double-reed instrument. I was hooked instantly and immediately started lessons to hone my new craft. Within a year, I was voted most valuable player in the band by my peers and

I became obsessed with my music. I would come home every day after practice and would practice even more. I was involved with my school chamber orchestra, Strolling Strings, youth orchestra, and eventually in the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra. I used all of these orchestra groups to

The classical music period extends from 1740 to 1810, which includes the music of Haydn, Mozart, and the first period of Beethoven. The classical period of music combined harmony, melody, rhythm, and orchestration more effectively than earlier periods of music. With the natural evolution of music slowly changing with the culture, the baroque era had ended. That era had left a structure, articulation and periodic phrasing of music which would shape classical music.

Music is such an amazing and wonderful thing. There are so many different possibilities when it comes to music. One of the fascinating things about music is that there is always room for improvement. Composers are making better and better music everyday. Music is always changing and composers are creating new never before heard pieces constantly. There is such a wide range of music that it is almost impossible for someone to not like at least one kind of music. The combination of keys and instruments and different voices is endless. I will specifically talking about classical music and how it has changed over time throughout this essay.