Scholarship Essay Contest
Congratulations Alana Finck on winning a full year scholarship for the 2014-2015 school year! Here is her winning essay...
"What Music Means to Me"
By Alana Finck
For the past 9 years I've found a passion. Something that gives me an escape from the craziness that goes on in life. A way I can let go of what I'm feeling and be taken to another place just by placing my hands on white and black keys. Music has brought more than happiness to my life and my family’s life, it's brought meaning. Being a junior in high school it's difficult. You have teachers, counselors, family, friends, wondering what you want to do within the next few years and you're just trying to get through one day at a time. I'm so lucky and grateful to be one of the few in my high school who know what they want to do for the rest of their life. I want to inspire other children just like I was inspired at such a young age. I want to give them hope and a way of escaping their life in a healthy, positive way when it's much needed. I want to give them happiness and watch their face when they learn their first song or finish their first performance. Music has been such a relief in my life and I want others to feel that too. My piano and voice lessons give me something to look forward too. I love going in for an hour and a half every week and playing or singing. I feel free and I leave all my troubles and worries at the door and give my all to lessons. I'm there to learn and grow so that maybe in a few years or so I can be telling my students about my experience with music. Hopefully giving them the sense that when things get rough no matter what you always have something that will never leave you. And that's what music means to me.
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We are also proud of our two runners up, Matt Giallonardo and Lily Ruswick! Thank you for moving us with your words...
Essay by Matt Giallonardo
Music is perhaps the greatest gift that people have given to the world. It’s something so simple and complex at the same time. Looking back at myself, not even old enough to say the word “music” (I called it “munich”), yet I was overjoyed every time my toy radio came on. When I was just 5 years old my dad introduced me to a band called “Yes”. At the time I wouldn’t be able to tell you what the songs meant, but to me, they were the greatest sounds in the world. My parents took me to a Yes concert when I was only in 1st grade, and I remember every detail. I was later introduced to Genesis and Coldplay. I remember going to see Genesis on a school night, and coming home at 11 o’clock, which seemed so late to me, but it was one of the most memorable nights of my life. Eventually I discovered the piano, one of the most important things in my life. I always tried to listen to songs and play them back on the piano, because listening to them wasn’t enough anymore. The first major song I figured out was “Clocks” by Coldplay. I played it all the time, nothing made me happier than sitting down and listening to myself play something great that I was able to re-create. Working on a song is like nothing else, and being able to play more and more of a song little by little is the best feeling in the world. Whenever I hear a great song the first question I ask myself is “Can I play this?” and so I sit down and begin. Expressing yourself through music is amazing. Great songs are great gifts to listen to, but playing them is something entirely different. I feel like nothing else matters, I relax, and my hands flow naturally. It’s the only time that your mind contains nothing but the sound of the piano, the sound that you’re creating. Whenever I discover a new song, which I so often do, I bring it to my piano teacher, and we set out to work on it until it has been mastered. I have many inspirations when it comes to music: my piano teacher of course, the wonderful musicians of Yes and Genesis, the brilliant Jarrod Radnich, but the biggest inspiration is music itself; the most intriguing force on the planet. I live for the days that I have lessons, I can’t wait to put the pieces of my music together. Learning math and science is great, but I get stuck with the knowledge, I have nowhere to go. Learning music is something so amazing it becomes difficult to describe. I’m not trapped, I’m free, music opens up an ocean of opportunities, and then I ask myself: “what can I learn next?” and so I begin. So you see music has been in my life for quite some time, and my life would be entirely different without it.
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"Why I Want to Take Lessons and What Music Means To Me"
By Lilian Ruswick
When I was five years old I told my mom that I wanted to learn how to play the piano. I think I was inspired by hearing my grandmother play. Five years later I still love my piano lessons. Every time I go, I look forward to what I will learn that day and how my skills will grow. Now my teacher inspires me to play music.
When I play the piano the sound of the notes flow like a waterfall cascading from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet. I feel that my spirits rise freely, doing flips in the air. Then, blooming with confidence, my fingers magically play the keys without me even thinking. But I fear, that if I do not continue lessons, that feeling will fade away like an eraser destructing the lead put down on paper.
My lessons have helped me to create new arrangements, achieve my goals and much more. Music and my lessons inspire me, fill me with confidence, and magically make my life better.
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Thank you to all of the students who submitted an essay for our 2014 Scholarship Essay Contest. We appreciate you taking the time to tell us what music, dance, art and theatre mean to you. Here are some of the beautiful words from your essays...
Leslie says..."Art is my favorite way to let go. I can release my emotions and stressors into the piece I am working on, and I can let my mind run free. There is no better place in the world for me than an art room full of people that will support me and go through the journey of life along side of me."
Niloufar says..."Dancing/art/music/theater mean a lot of things, but to me, they mean calmness. Everytime I sit down at the piano I feel like I’m in two different worlds at one time, just like the black and white piano keys. It also means a break from my school work and my worries. It means renewing/rejuvenating my soul as well. I feel clean and washed off after I’m done playing, and it fills me with a sense that I can do anything."
For Jessa, music makes her feel brave..."I love how music can change or intensify my emotions. If I feel sad, I can listen to a sad song and it can make me feel better, like I am not alone, or it just helps me express it, even if only to myself. When I feel nervous or angry, I can listen to a song that helps calm me down. Or even when I am in a really good mood, I can listen to happy songs and the feelings are even more enjoyable...Learning to play music helps me feel more brave about taking other kinds of risks. Without music, I do not know where I would be. Many of the things I do for fun are much more meaningful and enjoyable because of music."
Music makes Kiera happy..."Music is a big part of my life. I always listen to it in the car, on my ipod and before I go to bed at night. Music makes me happy, especially when I am sad. I love to sing and dance to all kinds of music. I love music and what it brings to everyone. Music always makes me happy! If there were no music in the world I would be sad."
Bradley says..."Music is a very important part of my life,
and it means quite a lot to me. I wish to continue to make and enjoy music for
as long as I can. Music has always provided me with a fun challenge
because I had to overcome an even harder piece every time I finished one,
and I got a good sense of satisfaction every time I completed a new piece,
especially if it was very difficult. I get a great feeling when I see how much I have
improved at something as important as music."
Playing music makes Kate feel confident and powerful..."Music is a way to express yourself and your individuality. Playing trumpet is a way for me to express myself
and bring joy to people through music. When I play a music piece in front of an audience I am nervous but I also feel confident and powerful. I love music. Music makes the world a better place. Music makes it easier for people to show their individuality and what they are feeling through notes, bars, measures, and pieces. Music lets me and many other people, from young to old make the world more colorful."
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