Music is everywhere. You hear it at home, in your car, at school, almost everywhere you walk. It affects peoples’ lives differently, whether it’s to inspire your life choices, or simply to please the ear. For me, it changed my life in more ways than one, ways that I never expected from the very beginning.

I’ve always held an interest in music as a whole, but up until middle school, I never thought of considering taking it up as a hobby. I’ve always thought of myself being a dancer or an actress, but never a musician.

It started with my brother, Gabe, who was my primary influence into the world of music. He played trumpet all throughout middle school and high school and he was pretty good too. So obviously, like any manipulative older brother would, he pushed me to play a brass instrument when I first started middle school. However, I had a different idea. I wanted to play percussion. I was a very obnoxious child; always making noise, whether it be yelling and screaming, or hitting something that shouldn’t be touched and shattering it into a million tiny pieces. So, obviously, percussion seemed like a perfect fit for someone like me.

When it came time to “audition” for the instrument of my choice in sixth grade, I was excited. I was tapping out tunes on my car’s dashboard the whole drive to school. But then I actually walked into the room, and there stood dozens of exceptionally talented middle schoolers. My heart dropped into my stomach, and a wave of anxiety hit me. Flutists, trumpeters, trombonists, percussionists up the wazoo. I was screwed.

I tried a little bit of everything. The mouthpieces for varying brass instruments, how to blow into a reed and how to hold a clarinet. I saved percussion for last. I came up to the drum that was set up, and the teacher, Mr. Melton, asked me to play four straight quarter notes. Psshh, too easy. Then the instructions got more and more complicated. I breezed through them, without a doubt in my mind. Then, the last challenge.

He said “Now play this while keeping time.”

Keeping time… keeping time… keeping time… the words echoed throughout my head. What was keeping time? Tapping your foot? Your hand? Do you talk at all? I assumed tapping my foot was the most logical answer. I tried and… well, to sum up the horror that occurred, let’s just say I could have practiced that a bit more…

Okay, so I screwed up a little. But that didn’t stop me. In the long run, I transitioned to playing trombone, as to my brother’s liking. It not only became a hobby, but it became a lifestyle. If I didn’t play trombone, I probably wouldn’t have joined Marching Band once I got into high school and I wouldn’t have met all the amazing band people that I have come to love.

Band really has become my life. Starting in the summer was band camp, then competitions throughout the semester. Once that ends, it’s normal Symphonic Band for school, practicing, fooling around just for the hell of it. Everything is different now. Before I was a socially awkward little human being with no talent whatsoever. Now, I’m a slightly less socially awkward person who just happens to be musically inclined. So yeah, band is kind of a big deal.

The people I met along the way were some of the most fascinating people I have ever met. They’ve influenced me in ways I’ve never imagined possible (like actually practicing my instrument outside of school… who would’ve thought?) and I’ve made friendships that I’m positive will last a very long time. But the main thing I’ve learned was commitment. Before, I had the attention span of a squirrel. And sometimes, I still do. Band has been the longest running activity I’ve participated in. Ever. Without it, I don’t know where I’d be, who I’d be friends with, what I’d do with my life. Yes, I’m a Band Geek. But I stand tall and proud.