Music for the Masses by Lydia

Music for the Masses by Lydia - January 2023 Scholarship Essay

Playing music has made such a dramatic impact on my life that I want everyone to experience what I have. At my high school, I am a part of the string orchestra as a 1st Violin and have found an incredible community of like-minded individuals, a sense of discipline that cannot be experienced anywhere else, and a way to express myself. Unfortunately, my high school does not require any music classes to be taken, but I believe that should be changed.

Firstly, being in the orchestra has introduced me to some of my best friends, and has gotten me involved in a community that understands each other. I know that students can find such a community in activities like sports, but there is just something about music that brings people together in a way like never before. For example, it is mostly orchestra kids who can appreciate classical music - because we have had to play it and understand the level of dedication that it takes to make such a genre sound as it should. Not only do we bond over orchestra subjects, but we have had plenty of fun on various trips and Christmas parties. Of course, beginner strings players cannot join the high school orchestra, but I believe that if they would only be required to take a piano, guitar, vocal, or string instrument course, they would find themselves in a welcoming music community.

Secondly, being in the music community fosters a strong discipline in any student who truly wants to become a great string player. Our director is constantly challenging us to play music that is slightly beyond our level, with the intent to make us better musicians. Going along with that, students who recognize the value of becoming better will put in the time and effort outside of school to better their skills. That discipline is valuable outside of the music program, a skill that can be used in anything that a person finds themself doing. For example, working hard to succeed at an instrument or a piece of music will prepare students for the rigors of college, where they will have to succeed in order to get their degree, keep their scholarships, and validate all the money they are investing in their education. I believe that if all students would be required to take a music course of some description, they would develop a deep discipline that will take them far in life, way beyond their instrument.

Third and lastly, music and playing my violin have given me a way like none other to express myself. I think sometimes people believe that musicians are boring because all they play is old, slow, classical music, but that is absolutely not the case. Companies make sheet music for anything that you could possibly want to listen to: Disney, Star Wars, K-pop, you name it, they've got it. Because of this, I have been able to find the music that I love, and there is no greater reward than learning how to play a piece that you could previously only listen to. Not only is listening to music a way to express yourself but playing that music on your own instrument is an incredible experience. When you play it yourself, you can make it your own by adding crescendos, decrescendos, accents, and other musical elements to express yourself through the piece. You might even take it upon yourself to write your own arrangement of a piece, and then you can literally do whatever you want to with it. Not only that, but when you learn and understand music, you could write a piece of your own, and there's no better way to express yourself than to create something that reflects who you are. Because of that, I believe that when students learn how to play or sing music, they have a brand-new way to express themselves.

In conclusion, I believe that all students should be required to take music courses throughout their years in high school because music gives people the opportunity to join a community of people who all enjoy the same thing, a discipline that will follow them out of the school's doors and will be beneficial to them in college and out in the real world, and give them a way to express themselves. It is my hope and prayer that high schools across the nation will realize the same things that I have believed for a long time and implement required music courses into their curriculum.