Why I Want To Be A Clarinet

Summer before junior year of high school, I was looking at a lot of standardized tests, essays, a heavier school workload, college applications, and getting a driver's license; my most immediate concern, however, was the soon to begin marching band season. Spring semester of sophomore year I had decided to audition for a leadership position in the band, and I suppose I was the best candidate because I managed to snag Section Leader for my instrument, clarinet. As the final days of July passed by, I anticipated the start of a season where I would be mentoring and teaching my fellow clarinet players the complex art of marching band. A few days before leadership camp I received a letter in the mail from the Head Band Director, Mr. Larry Brown, and immediately I knew things were not going to be what I expected.

I would say that I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren't for band.It's because of band that I try harder at the things that I take interested because without them I wouldn't be the same person today.

Throughout my life, I have been taken by music. However, it was not until my 8th grade year in middle school that I realized that I could be a musician for the rest of my life. Before that, music just seemed like something to keep me out of trouble. I wasn’t the best player at that time, and I still knew very little about it all. How could something like that ever support someone? Still, it was the only talent that I could find any success in, and it was still very enjoyable, so I wanted to still give it a shot.

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.

I must react to all the challenges I am faced with. I can fight and show I am ready for the world or I can flee from my responsibilities and amount to less than my potential. My future has left me heavy hearted and indecisive. My fifth step was what lead me to my future goals. Although I have known music would always have a place in my heart, I never saw myself using it as a profession. Mr. Henderson decided to sit with me and talk about all my possibilities and where he sees me in the future. He encouraged me to make my choice based off of what will make me happy and I made my choice. Later that week I applied to Western Carolina. They are known for their prestigious music program and auditioning for their School of Music will be my sixth and final

In 5th grade I chose the trumpet and a love began that will follow me for most of my educational career. At first I did not know I would have this love, but this piece of brass I held in my hands would eventually turn into a passion. I grew older starting high school and begin a journey a journey through marching band. Freshman year band camp was absolutely miserable I was told it would be sunny and very very hot. I got there and every single day it rained. I almost quit band after that year just because I hated band camp. That would have been a huge mistake. In my sophomore year I auditioned and made it into the symphonic band. I was ecstatic and ready to become a better player. With a higher chair I had more responsibility I felt like I needed

As a kid who wasn’t very athletic or artistic, my options for clubs and classes was kind of slim. So, naturally, I turned to music. I had joined my elementary school’s band in 6th grade, my only obstacle was to choose which instrument to play. I was caught between an alto saxophone and a flute, two completely different instruments, and I of course chose the one more difficult to carry. When I started my saxophone career it felt like more of a chore to practice than it was enjoyable. Soon enough, I started to practice on my own instead of having to be told to do so. I have now been playing the saxophone for 5 years, falling in love with it as the years went by. My favorite music to play on the saxophone is jazz, the energetic feel to it makes it interesting to play and listen to. This instrument has brought me a lot of good memories, I can’t wait to see what else it has in store for my future. I’m almost glad that I wasn’t athletic enough to make any of the teams, because if I would have I wouldn’t have picked up a saxophone.

Entering 6th grade, I decided to join beginning band at Torch Middle School in La Puente and chose the clarinet as my instrument. Out of the eight clarinet players that were in band, I was the worst. I became determined to become a better clarinet player and dedicated my time to practicing my instrument at home. By the end of 8th grade, I was impressed with my improvement and became third best out of six clarinets. However, freshmen year came along and I felt newcomer again. I was bent on becoming one of the best clarinet players.

What do people think when they hear the word clarinet? When most people hear this they think it is a kind of car or a disease. In some cases if they know what a clarinet is they think of Squidward Tentacles from the popular show Spongebob Squarepants on Nickelodeon.

There are several people beside me that act as my guides. My clarinet teacher, revered throughout my section, has played a most vital role. His unending, constant patience and high expectations has pushed me towards the path to success. He has taught me the importance of practice and what perseverance really is. As I inch towards my goal, I have the satisfaction of looking back on my progress when I am higher up the mountain. I know now to never, ever give up because no matter how difficult a piece is, as long as I practice, I will eventually pull through. My parents and the other symphony clarinets also aid me. My family has always been very supportive of my interest, driving me to lessons and band events without complaint. They somehow even manage to tolerate my screeching clarinet during practice sessions. The symphony clarinets are examples that help me see what I need to be and what I still need to achieve. They are all role models and are very compassionate. I could only imagine how lost I would be without their help in Band. To have a caring teacher, parents, and friends are all one could ask

Two months after school started, I crashed into a state of depression. After being told multiple times that there would be no way out of means since my sousaphone and tuba skills outmatch the majority of the same instruments section, I then concluded that I will forever suffer by playing sousaphone and tuba. I now felt like I was enslaved into the sousaphone and that the only way out was ending my life. The following Thursday was the day I finally mentioned of a possibility of committing suicide because I felt it would get me out of playing sousaphone. Despite longing for an escape route out of life, I cleared my issue the day later. I finally resolved this issue by discussing with the high school band director. He would let me do something I dreamed of for a long time. The solution was that I would march baritone saxophone in my sophomore

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.

My first wish would be that the other 2 wishes go the way I want them to, so the hidden responses will not be there. The second one would be so my math grade would improve . The third would be owning a brand new bass clarinet.

Playing my clarinet is one of greatest talent that I have developed over time. I haven’t had that much time playing the clarinet either I started playing it towards the end of my sophomore year when the marching band teacher told me if I was interested in joining marching band . He gave me the instrument and then before I knew it i was having sessions with the clarinet section leader every Tuesdays and Fridays afterschool from 3:00 to 5:00 and at first I admit it was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done because I had no type of knowledge with music whatsoever. The clarinet was one of the first instruments I’ve ever played in my whole entire existence so it was something completely new to me but with proper guidance from the whole clarinet section I learned pretty quickly.

Growing up with two older sisters who were involved in various activities meant that I spent a lot of time in the backseat of my mother’s minivan (as we brought them around to their sports games and music lessons and more). When I was old enough to get involved, I leapt at the opportunity and chose soccer, cross country, mixed martial arts, cello and piano. Although I loved doing all of these things, something about my music lessons always stood out to me. When I was playing music, I felt truly in my element, so when I thought about the next chapter in my life, I realized that I couldn’t imagine music not being a part of that story.