College Admissions Essay: My Experience In High School

Through my experience, my freshman and sophomore years as a musician were terrifying. On top of the shock of the new atmosphere at school, I had to play my instrument with and in front of others, which was quite a stretch for me at the time. I would always beat myself up about minute mistakes I had glorified during rehearsals, playing tests, and especially auditions. However, after I did not make an Illinois Allstate ensemble my junior year, my approach to these nerve-wracking situations completely changed. Instead of thinking failing negatively, those uncomfortable experiences actually made me improve as I had taken more auditions.
I vividly remember one of my first high pressured auditions. It was my sophomore year, and I was competing for a spot in the ILMEA district 2 band. Other students in my band program deemed ILMEA as a mean, selective program. It was my first time standing in front of a judge who I did not know personally. Also, it was the …show more content…
I also vividly remember my audition for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras this spring. This audition was certainly the most important that I have had since their top ensemble is one of foremost youth orchestras. Additionally, this was my last year to audition since I am a senior, and I have been in downtown Chicago possibly two times in my entire life. All I remember my private teacher telling me was to “walk in, do your job, and leave.” I think that advice even though it is simple, it is the best advice I have ever received. This changed me by having me not care about what others think of my abilities or who I am. During the CYSO entrance audition, I did not shake, my breathing was deep and full, and I had laser focus on my “job.” Since then, it appears that I have an excuse to venture up to Chicago every weekend to rehearse with the most dedicated high school classical musicians in the Chicago Youth Symphony