Struggling. Struggling to breathe. Struggling to keep still. In a few minutes, I would have to perform my midterm for band class. For most, a certain amount of anxiety and nervousness is normal before a performance. But for me, my anxiety impaired me. Hours and hours of practice would end up making no difference in the end. I walk into the back hall, with just a chair, a stand, and the conductor. The first part of the exam, the twelve scales, is fairly simple. The conductor tells me to begin. I bring the flute to my mouth, but my trembling hands and quivering lips prevent me from holding the flute still. As I attempt to play the scales, all that comes out is air, interspersed with a few horribly wrong notes.
Over the next few years, I would
Over the next few years, I would