My Experiences with Band. by cory

My Experiences with Band. by cory - November 2015 Scholarship Essay

My Experiences with Band.
I am very thankful for all the aspects of my education. But one sticks out most.
I started band in sixth grade, and took it because I thought it’d be easy. Little did I know, it would change my life for the better.
The leading years up to eighth grade I struggled to stay committed to band. I had been enveloped in depression and, in eighth grade I attempted to commit suicide. Afterwards, the depression just stuck around, never leaving.
My first year in high school, the plague that had found a solid grip on my life, had gotten slightly diminished. Not only was I becoming a better musician, but I was also making friends who really cared about me, and treated me like I was worth more than a diamond.
Sophomore year this continued but, more rapidly. My band teacher, along with two of the nicest women on earth, encouraged me to do my best, and to accept nothing less. With their encouragement, I auditioned for jazz ensemble. Despite how far out of my reach it seemed. And I did my very best. I poured my heart and soul into the music that I played for tryouts. When the list was posted I didn’t see my name at all. Until I saw a paragraph at the very bottom that said “Alternates: Cory Mofield”. I was ecstatic! I did my very best to achieve something that seemed impossible, but I did it. Then, two weeks before the Christmas Concert. Taylor Millsap did a barrel roll in his truck. He could not play at the Christmas Concert. It was my time to shine. Despite being an Alto Saxophone player having to learn to play the Bari Saxophone in two days and, learn the music in that time, I managed to do it.
Junior year came around and now that two of the three people who encouraged me had left high school, me getting out of depression slowed down a lot. Then came Jazz Ensemble. I doubted I could make it due to some tough, new competition. But, I managed to make it as a Bari Sax. Not as the alternate. But when another saxophone made the alternate spot, I tried to pass along the niceness and I encouraged him to not give up. To always do his best, no matter what.
Senior year in Marching Band, the four saxophones that were in jazz ensemble and hadn’t graduated yet, all got a part in a Sax Quartet! It made me so happy and proud! Throughout this year, as of this moment in time, I’ve been taking some percussion classes, to expand my musical knowledge. This year, despite some dips into depression, I’ve managed to maintain depression, or rather, the lack thereof, thus far.
After seven years, I believe I know what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to pass along the kindness that three people from band gave to me. I want to be a Psychologist. I know what it’s like to feel worthless, and honestly, it wasn’t fun. The thought of others going through what I had gone through. It breaks my heart, though, more greatly, it makes me determined to make this world a better place for everyone.