Passion by Sean

Passion by Sean - January 2018 Scholarship Essay

Ever since I could buzz into a mouthpiece, I've loved music with all of my heart. I had never been much good at anything before and to feel the instrument sing because of my doing filled my heart with joy. It quickly became the thing that I loved doing the most. I tried sports, reading, writing, and many other forms of activity, but none of them brought out the same passion in me that I had for music. As I grew older, it only seemed to grow and by the time I was a freshman in high school, I knew it was the thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life. As a sophomore, my former band director brought my confidence down by pointing out that I had done many things wrong and it brought me down slightly. A few days later he announced that All-State auditions were approaching. I decided that I was going to prove to him and myself that I could achieve it, and that my musical ability was true. After receiving the material, I went straight to work. I practiced every day for multiple hours, sometimes late into the night. Every day I felt like I was getting better. And when the day of auditions rolled around, I knew I was ready. I performed to my best, and a few weeks later, I found out that I had made it into the ensemble as the 4th chair. The feeling I had inside is, to this day, indescribable. And I want to be able to put and create that feeling and passion in the next generations. IF I could make that happen to at least one kid like me, every single day of practice, hard work, studying, and effort would have been worth it. Music is a dying art, and while the government can take the music away from the kids, you cant take the musicians from the music. Because, at least for me, no matter how hard the road is before me, I know that can do something that not a lot of people can do. And the pride it fills me with is worth any big paycheck that others may have. My teachers often say they don't teach for the paycheck, they teach for the kids. I feel that same passion inside of me. The inspiration they try to provide has lead to the future of this world, and I want to be a part of it. Passion can't be described by just a few words. it's a feeling that you have inside of you. it's when nothing else makes you more proud, and when you miss nothing else like the thing you're passionate for. I feel it within me, flowing like a river, and I want to pass on the fire, and love that I have for music. one step at a time.