The Recorder Monologue

Just like before, everything was strange to me, but only I concerned about my ambition. I never took music classes before but in high school as a freshman which fascinated me. The class was tough for me at my first time, and other classmates would make fun of me. I never mind it but take them as a thrust to my curiosity for music. After all, I composed a song and learned to play piano better than anyone in the class at the end of the semester. My songs were my feeling that I jotted down on the dairy. At the end of the semester, I sang a song and everyone applause with a grin. After that, my dairy turned to many songs over the high school years. Whatsoever, I sang a song too on the graduation day where everyone cheered for me and realized that I wasn’t the different one there, but they

Like almost every other 3rd grader in my elementary school, when the enrichment program came to talk about joining the orchestra and band, I was fascinated. I admired the kids, not much older than me, who could play their instruments flawlessly and effortlessly. Immediately I knew that orchestra was for me, and I rushed home with a paper in hand begging my mom to let me take lessons at my school. Originally, I wanted to play the cello and pleaded with my mom to let me play one; I loved the deep, rich sounds of the strings. Instead, my mom convinced me to play the violin, a less expensive instrument and much easier to carry around than a cello.

I have always had a musical talent, and I was over-joyed when my parents decided to sign me up for piano lessons. When I was younger, I just liked playing the songs my teacher assigned me. When I was older, however, I began to see music in a different light. Playing other musicians' songs has given me a glimpse of how other people view the world. When a musician composes a song, a piece of his heart goes into it. When I play their songs, I see a hint of what is in their soul. This has had me reflect on how I view the world. When I play the songs for an audience, they are able to feel a little of what the artist and I are

For five years, playing cello had been my passion and safe haven. During the three years spent in orchestra I had developed a deep love for my instrument and the music played with it. I felt more passionately about playing cello than anything I had done before. No matter what kind of day I was having, playing cello could make it better. I could have been enduring the worst day of my life, but the second I started playing it would all fade away. There

I later took up band in seventh grade to get a sense of what music is. Intentionally, I wanted to play the alto-sax and hopefully learn to make great music with it, but it would cost me, so I chose a clarinet. The clarinet had an interesting sound similar to a sax and it was nice to know that I sounded better than Squidward Tentacles. The flute was another instrument that caught my eye, it looked like a recorder but looks and sounds relatively refined. But, I could never get the embouchure right to get that sweet flute sound, instead it sounded like blowing air into a tube, looking back, I probably wasn’t ready to play it

Then Mr.Dangerfield decided to do a performance of The Princess and the Frog. So the afterschool program prepared to do the play. We would be doing the background music. Several weeks later, he decided to give an early preview of some of the music to the whole school. He let the students in higher grades perform. Then I saw an empty piano. I thought, Well, I’ll be in the real show (which turns out later I wouldn’t be in). Why can’t I be in this One? and walked on up to the piano and started playing along. When I did that, everyone was surprised. After we were done, I got a standing ovation. Everyone was happy. Then I went back to regular classes, and I knew that I could play piano. But that was a long while ago. So through all this time, I practiced whenever I could and could remember to. I became excellent at playing by ear. But then, my music died for a little while. Later on, middle school fifth and sixth grade rolled around. We had music class again. Then my brain remembered all the songs, the notes, and the music came back. Sixth Grade rolled on in, and hit me hard with more work, more responsibilities. Yet through this, my musical life survived, thriving on those moments when I could be alone and just play anything on the keyboard. First half of the year, we had Japanese. I hated that class, and couldn’t wait for when we switched to music. Then the halfway point of the year, and I started music. In fifth grade, we used recorders. But now, we used pianos. My main instrument. My music grew even more as we learned more and more on the piano, did more music. Then, as the end of the year started coming in, Ms.Barsamian, the music and drama teacher, decided we would do a little piano recital. She gave us tons of songs to choose from. But there were none that resonated with me, that I enjoyed playing, that I could connect to. And then I remembered. A song I had

It was all fun and games, but in middle school we would be auditioning for our chairs in the band. I’ve always been doubtful of myself, so I was expecting to be third chair or maybe second if I was lucky. I had a ton of competition because the clarinet isn’t an uncommon instrument to play, and when the day came to audition nerves fluttered throughout my stomach. He asked if there were any volunteers. We all sat silently praying to God that someone would choose to go first, so he wouldn’t have to pick randomly. After that one brave soul, it was basically all random picking, and eventually my named was called. A million thoughts clouded my mind as I was walking towards his room. I had never really auditioned for anything before, and all my worries hit me as I opened the door. I placed my music, filled with little notes to help me as I played, on the music stand. I began to wonder if I had practiced enough. Would I start off my middle school band career with a bang or would I be blown away by the competition? All the noise in my head hushed as my band teacher informed me it was time to begin. I was

I felt too discouraged to try out for the symphonic band, which was my school’s top band at the time; the audition music was rigorous, and I felt incapable of performing it. I informed Mr. Neavor that I planned to audition for the concert band, which had less intimidating requirements. Instead of letting me fall short of my potential, Mr. Neavor told me he believed I could perform the advanced audition music and earn a chair in the higher band. Upon hearing this, I decided to challenge myself and audition for the top band, and this resulted in success. Not only did Mr. Neavor show me I had potential to reach my goals, but after he encouraged me to pursue a spot in the symphonic band, I discovered the rewards that came with hard work and ambition. After this realization, I was motivated to chase more opportunities without needing an extra push. This mindset that Mr. Neavor kindled in me has only inspired me to further raise the expectations I have for myself. Since my freshman year, I have made excellent accomplishments in music on the district and state level, and I could not have done it without the lessons Mr. Neavor has taught me. His guidance has not only cultivated in me an exemplary work ethic, a mindset of positive thinking, and assurance in my strengths, but he has also inspired me to help others develop the same skills. By being a phenomenal director and role model, Mr. Neavor has

Music related activities fueled me, including senior counties, Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra, summer music camps and performing with ensembles as well. I also auditioned for districts, which had been the most overwhelming challenge, and merely missed it by one chair. I did not want the quality of an instrument to prevent me from continuing what I am passionate about however there were certain struggles that

It was tenth grade and marching season had just ended, marking the beginning of concert band. I was looking forward to putting down my tiny piccolo and picking up its big sister- the flute. But as I was getting ready to take the school flute home for Christmas break, I overheard our only two trombone players inform our director that one of them will not be playing in the concert band, and the other one will be switching to berry saxophone. Which means we will not have a trombone section. So I took the initiative and told him that I will learn the instrument and play it since we will have a flute section. Mr.Bradford said okay, and I went home.

Entering the path to high school was a very important event due to how the school was bilingual, teaching both English and Spanish. I personally thought it was going to be challenging due to the double amount of assignments. However, the school introduced a music program, that was mandatory for all students. I thought of it as a way to distract myself from all the academics. That’s when I became a trumpet player. As a high school student, I was able to cultivate skills that would help me become a more reliable person not only with others, but also with myself. While practicing in the wind ensemble, I was able to persevere with the work, have punctuality in all my classes, show independence whenever it was necessary, and share my knowledge among

I can recall an age-old memory of my playing in the sixth grade as a beginner in music performance as a result of my fascination for music and encouragement by some of my musically-gifted seniors and upperclassmen. Starting out was easy, so I just played and soon enough the it became monotonous. And soon it struck me, I had finally grasped that if I wanted to play the type and difficulty of the music I wanted to hear and reproduce, I will have to practice more higher-leveled music and demonstrate my proficiency to be able to join a more advanced class the next year. That was the moment I decided to from then on practice everyday after school and on weekends and kept that regime constant. After a few years had flown by, I achieved my ambition of going into the Chamber orchestra, the most difficult orchestra performance group available for high

From the start, I knew that I was going to become a band geek. I was―and still am―the kid who actually practices their music. I’m the kid who loves going to band, no matter what the songs are. I’m always happy to have the chance to play flute. It doesn’t even matter to me if I play in an ensemble or if I solo.

Many of my activities are musically inclined. I have played the oboe since the 6th grade and it has greatly impacted the person that I am today. Being a musician has instilled discipline, leadership, and confidence within me. While the public only sees our final product, underneath the 10-30 minute performance is hours upon hours of dedication and practice.

On the first day of school, with sweaty palms, I walked into the band room. To me, the appearance of the room was foreign, with its high ceiling and panelled walls. I sat down next to Caitlin in one of the many oval-backed chairs, which were meant to help maintain posture while playing. When the teacher, Mrs. Lynn, came in and took attendance, she asked what instrument each person played. There were four pianists including me. We were told that we would