How I Would Inspire Others Through Music by Elsa

How I Would Inspire Others Through Music by Elsa - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

I used to think that going to Italy with the Philadelphia All-City High School Orchestra was the best music related experience that I had ever had. Now I realize that was just the beginning. In Italy, I learned a lot about myself and my instrument. I felt alive during every rehearsal and concert. My heart still pounds thinking about the pieces we performed there. As a musician, I improved quite a bit during my time in Italy. My experiences there prepared me for the next All-City season, along with its difficult repertoire and rigorous rehearsals. After Italy, I came to every rehearsal itching to improve and learn something new about ensemble performance. Every day I wanted to be a better musician. I looked up to my section leaders and did my best to emulate them and their more advanced techniques. I was inspired by them. Yes, Italy made me very passionate about music performance, but my time at the Curtis Institute of Music exhilarated my love for music more than any previous experience.

I used to be very nervous about the Curtis retreats. What if they judge me? I still can’t play these pieces! I would think. I would try my best to sit in the back and play quietly, but the practice rooms seemed to amplify even the smallest sound. This past season, I tried my best to change how I felt about the retreats. I practiced endlessly for All-City and went to as many viola sectionals as I could to ensure that I was as prepared as I could be for the upcoming rehearsal. I had most of the pieces down, but there was one I (as well as many of my orchestra mates) dreaded completely: Promise of a City. In other words, it was the piece we barely covered during rehearsal with the tricky rhythms and treble clef. I wasn’t sure how to tackle this piece, and neither were my section superiors. I didn’t know how to practice it, and honestly, I didn’t want to. It was too difficult for me. Promise of a City was a mystery to us, to say the least. How was it supposed to sound? What is the composer looking for here? It just sounded like a hodge-podge of random sounds during rehearsal. I was so nervous for its outcome, and even more nervous to sit front row and practice it in front of a Curtis student. I don’t remember the name of the viola player that lead the sectional during the retreat, but he was very calm and friendly. That eased my nerves a bit. We brushed over the other pieces for the concert. When he said that it was our main priority to practice Promise of a City, I tensed up.

What happened next galvanized me. We went through each measure together, over and over again to ensure correct rhythms. The section leader provided simple and effective fingerings for difficult shifts. Though we were struggling, we moved through the piece with a much better understanding of how our part fits into the rest of the ensemble. I’m not sure why, but something about the Curtis student made me feel so engaged and willing to soak up any tips he had to give on the art of playing the viola. I sat on the edge of my chair and I was actually excited. I’ve felt that way during concerts and rehearsals, but never when I was learning something new and challenging. For some reason, up until this point learning new things bored me and I was easily daunted by difficult tasks. I was so eager to become better after this experience. Taking as many notes as the sheet music could hold, I tried to learn from everything he said. The best part of the sectional was the feeling of success I got after conquering a technique or section I once found intimidating.

My time at the 2015/2016 Curtis retreat changed my perspective on playing my viola. Before that, I would easily give up on things that were too difficult for me which would never let me progress as an instrumentalist or member of an ensemble. Now, I am determined to learn new things, even if they are extremely difficult. The Curtis student helped me learn about myself as a musician, as well as awaken a passion for performance that I didn’t know was that strong. He motivated me to always become better at things, and to not give up on things I am too afraid to learn. This is a lesson I can apply to my everyday life that is also filled with obstacles. Most of all, I am thankful of the newfound connection between my viola and me. In one day, I learned how to better appreciate my instrument and to play it with confidence.

If the roles were reversed, I would love to inspire a student to become passionate about music and help surmount their anxieties about practicing and performing. I want to be the compassionate Curtis student to someone who is unsure about what they are doing, or downright nervous. If the roles were reversed, I would love teaching music because I have experienced firsthand the positive effects it can bring when someone helps you conquer a difficult task.