Personal Narrative: The Perks Of Being A Soloist

“There’s a moment you’ve been waiting all your life for. When you find the very reason you’re alive for.” This semester included a small moment in my life, which had an impact on my life. My love for musicals began to heighten beginning college. I have created a fifteen-hour musical soundtrack playlist, to paying $400 to watch “Hamilton: An American Musical” in Chicago. Musicals have a way of inspiring individuals and have increased my drive to work in the entertainment business. This semester, I casually looked at what musicals were playing in the Indianapolis area, and I came across the musical “Finding Neverland.” I ended up getting tickets for the October 20 show. Little did I know this show would have such an impact on me.

In the beginning I was afraid to sing and dance  in front of people. One day at school there was an announcement that there would be a school play. I got so excited about it  that I rushed to sign up. I realized that I would have to audition and that meant I would have to sing in front of other people.I bolted to Mr.Llyod's  room and  asked him what I would need to not be so afraid.He said to sing in front of my parents,it might make you fell more comfortable performing for others.

I've played the violin for a while now; since the beginning of fourth grade. Orchestra has been a part of my life for around five years, and I've gotten used to being on the stage with the rest of the orchestra for a few minutes at a time. But this time was different. It was the first time I would step on stage at the high school, and I was terrified.

Some people are better with words; others work through art and make an impact with their actions and creations. I may not be the best at expressing myself verbally, but I consider myself a great writer. Writing is one of the few ways I am able to reach inside my soul; I can ultimately capture my thoughts and emotions with a simple pencil and paper. Sometimes I get lucky and profound statements sneak past this step and out of my mouth, but that happens on rare occasion, so instead I write. The second way I am able to release my emotions is through my saxophone, my music, my soloing. Jazz. This brings us full circle. Jazz Band. What’s so special, what’s so great? To the untrained eye, nothing, it is just another band, but there is so much more

My best friend pushed me to do something I wanted. She did not let fear get in the way and now I am part of something more amazing than I could have ever imagined. I look back and I realize there are four years that I let fear get in the way of auditioning. That is four years that I could have been doing something I love, but because there was that fear of singing that is four years I will never get back. I just want everyone to know that you should never not do something because you have fear of not making it, because if you do not try then you will not make it anyway. You never know how something will turn out until you try. “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” –Babe

My years as a tiny tot is a bit of a blur to me, but I do remember my first public performance, and when I was in dance class. At first as a young one I was terrified of public performances. I was a shy young child as I didn’t talk much to anyone, and terrified of being in front of many people.

I arrived early, so I assisted Dr. Hirokawa set up the stage with risers and a grand piano. Dr.Hirokawa conducted a brief dress rehearsal and then lingered and made slight changes to the music. The room was crowded with music posters and pictures of multiple famous composers. Our passion was going to change the world like they did. Anticipating this day for months, at last the time came. We made our way to the auditorium doors, as we entered, the room grew silent. We ambled silently to the stage smiling. Staring into space, standing on the risers, just as rehearsed. The gorgeous sound of the piano suddenly was heard and I felt a chill down my spine. We sang and danced gracefully on the stage. As the first song came to an end, I went to center stage and raised my hands in the air, I was playing the part of Anne, at that moment the rest of the choir followed. I scanned the audience, I saw tears. We continued to sing. Some songs were about joyful experiences, while some were not. At the end of the last song of the composition, I and others who had posed as Anne, went to the front of the stage. We conveyed a deep sadness to the audience through our music, now understanding how Anne felt as well. Then, we sang one last song, “I Choose Love” written by Mark Miller to close our concert. All I could think about is how the people in the audience felt how Anne felt as I exited the stage.

Being on stage is an unparalleled feeling. The bright lights and the impatient crowd make it an experience that is both overwhelming and thrilling. The most stressful part of performing is the waiting. The backstage of a theater is like an alternate reality, with every performer anticipating their moment, rehearsing their songs quietly to themselves. The energy is palpable, a mix of nervousness and excitement so intertwined it is impossible to distinguish the two. I had rehearsed my song for hours on end, but I still found myself whispering the lyrics to myself just in case. When it comes to performing, there is a point where you have to decide to trust yourself and your talents, otherwise you may never make it on stage.

With what felt like one of the first true days of summer, with a warm breeze and the subtle and nostalgic scent of bonfire wafting through the air, I made my way into Stevenson High School. Once I entered, I quickly purchased one ticket (which was a pamphlet) for The Spring Orchestra Concert. It felt a tad bit bizarre to be as excited as i was for this particular concert, but there were a few contributing factors: My dear friend Josh Maj was playing the Cello tonight, and I desperately wanted to see the musicians perform “Gauntlet” which is a classical piece that we at Homadeco frequently use in our productions. My acquaintances and I quickly took our seats, and soon right after the prelude pieces had begun. I didn’t know what to expect in

I want to be a music producer because music is something I listen to daily when I can and it helps me relax and things when I’m angry or upset. Music is my dream and I want to make it a reality for me and music production and maybe a singer/songwriter is good for me also but I’m setting towards music production. A producer can be involved in the song-writing, audio engineering, recording, adding musical instruments and effects, hiring outside musicians if needed, help plan the overall promotion plan — including choosing album images and stage stunts. He can even advise the singers to get vocal coaching lessons

I chose being a music educator because I have always wanted to be a teacher. When I was younger, I used to play “school” with older siblings. I never enjoyed being the student, but I loved being the teacher and teaching them things. They always acted like they did not know what I was talking about even if they did. I have never been able, however, to decide on a subject to teach. Music has been the only subject that, over time, has remained a constant interest in my life. For a period of time, I thought maybe a math teacher, or even a science teacher. Teaching english however has never crossed my mind because while I am good at english for the most part, there are too many parts of english that are hard to me. Band was a whole new world for

Currently, I am involved in multiple choirs and vocal ensembles inside and outside of my high school, and because I plan on majoring in Vocal Performance, I will have some of these same opportunities available to me in college. Of all the groups I have participated in, there is one type of ensemble that has peaked my interest over the past few years and that is an a cappella ensemble. At my school, I am a part of an a cappella group called Women’s Octet, and if I were given the opportunity, I would start a club like this at UC. When everyone is singing a different part, it is important to be in sync with the other members of the group, not only vocally but personally. Bonding is essential for any ensemble or club, and it is a great way to

This photo was taken on Saturday November 12th, when my best friend and I participated in the 2016 Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) District 7 Chorus. ILMEA is an annual festival held by the high school educators of music, in which students audition to be apart of. This festival is known to have some of the most reputable classical music in Illinois as the top students from auditions are selected to participate in a concert. When the photo was taken, we had just finished a six hour rehearsal and were about to perform. We were both exhausted yet adrenaline rushed through our bodies causing jolts of excitement, because in all, this performance is what we had been waiting for, what we had worked so hard for. Only hours earlier, we walked into rehearsal not knowing what was in store for us. I remember standing in the auditorium next to complete strangers. It was fascinating looking around, taking note of people from all types of backgrounds. The amazing part was that despite all of our differences, we had all seemed to be there for the same singular purpose: to make music.

I made sure to arrive a little bit late so that I could just walk in and settle down after the arrival of the performing bands without having to sit through the music department’s opening speech. I came in just in time for the commencement of the first piece. I sat and stared at the front at this lady who was doing a solo performance. I could already tell that the night was only going to pick up from this point. With her eyes closed and her head swaying with every stroke her hand made, all the people wanted to do was look at her and share the same calmness that she portrayed. It was as if the world had shut down leaving her to enjoy the calm state. I envied how she could just forget the world even for a second and relish in the world she had created. She was just a tip of the amazing things that the night had in store.

The thought of performing in front of hundreds of foreigners has overwhelmed me with fear. I felt like I was not able to breath or even make a sound at that moment. While the makeup artist finishing up with my makeup, I felt like I was a Barbie doll who was being manipulated by the others. I did what I was told to do, but other than that, I felt