Personal Narrative: The String Coach Program

Music is a passion of mine and has been for a long time (it's in my blood.) My dad played the bass guitar in a few groups, and he sings in our church's choir. His taste of music has been passed down and adopted by my brother and me.

Music, it helps the world go ‘round. Whatever kind of music you like, how often you listen to it, it's all up to you. Most likely, you will enjoy many different genres. Often times, it helps you express yourself beyond speech. And like the French poet Victor Hugo said, “ music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that cannot remain silent.”

    Music is fuel for everything i do. Driving. Cleaning my room. Cooking. Writing this essay. If i’m even remotely alone and working, I’ve got music to listen to and a beat running my heart like a lawnmower. I’ve been playing since

When I was an eighth grader in middle school, I joined IUSD Middle School Honor Orchestra. I played the viola in this orchestra and I was eighth chair violist out of sixteen violists. Many of my friends joined this orchestra and we had a lot of fun. I played different pieces of music with everyone in the orchestra and I learned many new things. Playing music pieces with different people that play different instruments have taught me a lot, and I learned that it is always important to work as a team. Joining this orchestra has given me the better understanding of music and teamwork. After the concert of this orchestra, we had a field trip to California Adventure and I performed there with the group of the first time.This is one of the best experience

Music is my life when I was little my dad introduced me to all types of music. We listen to hip-hop, reggae, old school, country, and jazz. We believe that as long as it has a good beat and a message that what makes that a great song.Being that my dad is from New Jersey I have this Northern flavor to my lifestyle. It is truly present in my taste in music. Many people say that I'm a little weird when they listen to the type of music I listen too.

   When I moved back to Georgia the first time, I was placed into an orchestra class that made me feel like a 30 year-old woman stuck in first grade. I was uncomfortable with the fact that I wasn't being challenged and my love for music was slowly diminishing. It wasn't until I moved back to Virginia that I was put into one of the most highly-recognized high school orchestras in Chesapeake, Grassfield High School. My orchestra director, Mr. Vutsinas, pushed me to new heights of musicality that I did not know I could not

I often would stay hours after practice and help underclassman read and play their music. Band is just one example I offer to help my teachers in any way I

My love for music is rooted in the solid musical foundation my parents set for me. From taking me to my first concert when I was two, to teaching me how to play guitar at the age of four, music imprinted itself on me early in life. I started playing the flute in 5th grade, and since then, my life has never been the same. Continuing to play the flute throughout high school has allowed me to be heavily involved with the music program. I have been an active participant of Concert Band, Jazz Band, Honor Band, Pep Band, and Marching Band.

I have always loved music as long as I can remember. I remember the days when I would have to wake up extra early to go to school as a 7 year old because I had to go to my piano lesson two hours before school even started. My mom

When I was in ninth grade, I was in a string orchestra playing the violin. I had been playing for nearly six years at

Music is an integral part of who I am. To say that I am interested in music would be an understatement, as I am constantly growing in my passion and talent for music.

Like almost every other 3rd grader in my elementary school, when the enrichment program came to talk about joining the orchestra and band, I was fascinated. I admired the kids, not much older than me, who could play their instruments flawlessly and effortlessly. Immediately I knew that orchestra was for me, and I rushed home with a paper in hand begging my mom to let me take lessons at my school. Originally, I wanted to play the cello and pleaded with my mom to let me play one; I loved the deep, rich sounds of the strings. Instead, my mom convinced me to play the violin, a less expensive instrument and much easier to carry around than a cello.

I have grown up into a generation of people filled with sounds. The resonance of pianos, guitars, and violins, the cry of horns, and the amorphous sounds of countless synths. The sounds have touch my eardrum in a way that has me addicted, I am an audiophile. My days of music started in the womb with the countless concerts and jams that my mother enjoyed and has continued to this day bringing my music to the yellow-line pushing the decibels right before red-lining.

Plato once said, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and charm and gaiety to life and to everything,". Have you ever wondered what makes you, you? What has shaped you into the person you are today; the accumulation of every instance and preference that effects who you have become? Music makes up a big part of that as it is one of the oldest pastimes humans still take part in all around the world without noticeably gaining any experience out of it. Contrary to popular belief there is an abundance to gain from listening to music especially if you listen to more than one genre. Without even noticing the listener allows more brain function, increases their physical health and intelligence

I was already a member of Stringendo’s orchestra program as a violinist in the top orchestra, but I wanted to further encourage younger children to love music. I wanted to help them develop the musical skills that would have helped me tremendously when I was their age, so that they wouldn’t have to go through the self-doubt in my playing that I had when I was a beginning violinist. Every Saturday morning, I attend my younger orchestra’s rehearsal before going to my own in the afternoon. I observe what the group’s director wants done, whether it be intonation in a specific excerpt or developing rhythmic understanding, and over the course of the two and a half hour rehearsal, I pull my four assigned students out of rehearsal to work with them individually. I’ve put in over a hundred hours in community service through Morning Helpers, but aside from the hours, I’ve bonded tremendously with the younger musicians I tutor, and I’ve learned a lot about how to teach effectively, from improving my communication skills to acting