The Joy of Sharing Music by Kayla

The Joy of Sharing Music by Kayla - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

Upon entering the room the first thing I notice are the faces that occupy it, some are familiar, warm, welcoming, others are of apprehensive or excited strangers. As we begin to take our places on stage, I feel the familiar rush of excitement and anxiety that precedes all my performances take over my body. It’s warm in the gymnasium and I break out in a nervous sweat. I wipe my hands on my black dress, savoring the comforting sensation of the slippery beads gliding beneath my fingers. I hear the sound of heels clicking against freshly polished hardwood and watch my teacher make her way to stand in front of my friends and I, smiling encouragingly at us she plays our starting pitch. I prepare myself, taking a deep breath, filling my lungs the same way she taught me four years ago, and let go. Over the course of the next hour I watch the faces of the strangers I feared moments ago change before my eyes. Their restlessness is stilled, the apprehension melting away into serenity as we flawlessly shift from song to song. As we fill the hall with our last chords I taste the salt from the tears that wet my cheeks and my hair stands on end from the haunting feelings of grief, adrenaline, and pride that course through my system simultaneously as my last performance in this place comes to an end.
My love for music is hard to explain, how can one put into words what it feels like to breath, to live completely? Oxygen sustains my body physically, but music sustains my soul and stokes a spiritual hunger. That being said, music has been at the forefront of my life for as long as I can remember, from early memories of my mother and I singing together in the car, to all the choirs I’ve performed with. For the past four years I’ve been a member of my high school’s Advanced Chorus, a program that’s presented me with more opportunities to travel and sing than I could ever dream of asking for. However, it’s the simple performances, the ones for family and friends, not judges and spectators, that have had the biggest impact on my life and continue to inspire me to reach outside my comfort zone and share my love for music with others.
Over the past several years my love for music has allowed me to participate in many volunteering activities with my choir. From singing at our many sports games, caroling at Christmas time, and helping make our spring musical a possibility, I’ve truly been blessed with countless opportunities to give back to the wonderful community that’s helped raise me. It’s ideal to say I’m the one that’s bettered my community with these activities, but in reality these events have changed me, reminding me time and time again why all my struggles for music are worthwhile. The feeling I get after singing the state song or the National Anthem before a game is euphoric, and seeing the awed faces of children at Christmas time or as they meet their favorite characters from the year’s musical is completely empowering. Knowing I’m part of a group of amazing individuals who continue to defy stereotypes by pursuing a beautiful passion fills my entire being with pride.
While these experiences have humbled and inspired me to give back to my community every year, the most rewarding experience I’ve participated in is my choir’s Christmas performances for those who don’t always have the opportunity to enjoy such festivities on their own. This experience is what has truly inspired me to continue pursuing music and giving back to my community through its influence after high school. The performance takes place at an assisted living home for those with mental illnesses and it's here that I’ve met some of the kindest people, despite their conditions. You can tell as soon as you enter the room that those who saw our performance the previous year are excited to see us sing again, and their energy electrifies the atmosphere. And the faces, the faces of these people are what make every struggle of pursuing music, every tear from rejection or exhaustion completely worth it. You can see pure joy radiating from the skin of every audience member as they enjoy the music, something very few performers can say they’ve witnessed. It’s obvious they love hearing you sing for them just as much as you love the art itself, it wouldn’t matter how you sounded, they love every student unconditionally upon first meeting them. I leave in tears every time I visit.
I leave for college next fall so it will be hard to continue participating in small events like this, however, I’ll never forget the lessons I’ve learned from these experiences. As I find my place in my new home hopefully I’ll be able to apply what valuable lessons I’ve learned here towards making a difference in my new community. After all, I owe it to these people, the people who’ve taught me not to take life’s simple pleasures for granted, to continue making a difference in any way I can.