How Has Music Changed My Life?

Kate Welsh

College Essay-Music

            A melody describes every emotion I have ever felt, a song dampens my soul when I feel on top of the world, and a refrain echoes in my heart describing the passion and infatuation I have for music.  Music certainly has played a major role in my life making me a better person through determination, commitment, and giving me a major goal in life.  My music and I have been through many ups and downs.  Music is like a magical dream; it can take you anywhere you are willing to go.

            I have been singing ever since I can remember.  I have always been able to express myself best through song.  But singing is not as easy as one may think.  I have studied music for a number of years to find that there is still so much for me to learn.  At first all the theory and technique was tedious, but as I have grown as a musician I have found it more interesting.  However the toughest part of being a musician, is the rejection and criticism that comes along with it.  I first encountered all of this negativity when I arrived in high school.  My freshmen year I had a music teacher who pushed me very hard, criticized all of my work, and made me feel like a failure.  Then there were the many auditions I attended and was rejected from.  I let all of this negative attention put me down for a short period of time before I realized the good it was doing.  I was only a freshmen or sophomore and I was expecting to get a solo in the choir or a lead in the school musical.  I was running ahead of myself; there were still plenty of things for me to learn and many opportunities ahead.  All of this discouraging attention knocked me down, but I got back up and now I work even harder to stay up where I belong.

            There is a very rewarding side to all of this work too.  I have studied music for over a decade now and in my musical career I have performed in various musicals, been a member of  four choirs, and shared music with so many peers who love music as much as I do.  Music has made a vast impact on my life and I can’t imagine living a day without singing or listening to music.  I am so thankful that I have such a passion in my life that I can continue to make better and do as a career in the future.  I know that being a musician is a tough life full of rejection and small paychecks, but that is a life I am willing to lead.