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My love for music has been the only constant in my life, and it has always provided me an escape from my troubles whenever they seemed too much to handle. During the period before my father’s deployment to Iraq, I can remember several occasions when listening to Miles Davis’s “Kind of Blue” helped me find the strength to get through times of intense grief. I have begun to understand the expressive power that jazz has as an art form; for many people, the music without words is what carries the most meaningful messages. Music is my calling, and its positive impact on my life has left me unable to ever give it up. With the continuing help of my teachers and a strong will to perfect my playing, my performing skills have improved more than I ever imagined possible. After years of juggling ideas for occupations in music, I have decided to pursue a career in trombone performance and to attend the University of Tennessee: home to one of the world’s most advanced and highly renowned trombone studios.
My journey to this point has been incredible; throughout my high school career I have been privileged with opportunities that few students receive. Performing twice with America’s most talented high school musicians, playing alongside the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and participating in the All-State band for three years are just a few of the many chances I’ve been given to take part in groups that have the same passion for music I do. I will never forget this year’s All-East Jazz Band concert and the exhilaration of being featured on a tune called “Black Orpheus”. At the end of the concert, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment as I took a bow and the audience’s applause grew into a resonating roar of approval. Events like these have encouraged me to study music and to continue maturing into the most skilled performer I can possibly be.
Without a doubt, none of this could have ever been possible without the teachers that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to show me the way. Laura Borchert, my first band director, revealed to me my ability to improvise my own melodies and helped me begin to discover my creative gifts. My lessons instructor and Professor of Trombone at UT, Don Hough, showed me the true value of hard work by requiring me to practice two hours a day for the past three years. The most influential of all my teachers became our director after the two before him, one year after the other, left our band us to work with the ensemble at Halls High School. After many years of substandard seasons and hardships, Joshua Jackson came to Central and challenged us with his innovative compositions and demanding drill moves, putting together shows that we never thought we could perform. Under his direction last year, our band was finally invited to the Tennessee State Festival after scoring top ratings for the first time in over twenty years. Last fall, I was granted the opportunity to sing with Bel Canto, the top choir at Central, which is directed by Beckye Thomas. Her energetic ways of teaching inspired me to push myself past my limits in her class, and in one semester I managed to come from having no experience at all to singing a featured solo in last December’s production. The message she emphasizes most is what comes to mind whenever I think about what I’m going to do for the rest of my life: I can achieve anything I set my mind to, no matter what obstacles stand in the way.
I have had several thoughts as to what I will do after I graduate from UT, including moving to New York City to begin my career. After playing with various bands and making a name for myself, I could either front my own group or continue my education and attend the Juilliard School of Music for a Master’s degree. Another possibility is to audition for one of the Armed Forces’ top jazz bands and tour the world, giving the gift of music to thousands of soldiers overseas. The chance to play in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra would also be an amazing opportunity, and settling down in Knoxville could be the right path for me. Many choices lie ahead, but I have faith in myself to make the decisions that will make me happiest for years to come.
I have my sights set higher than most because my expectations of myself have always been above the accepted standard. With enough practice and hard work, I believe that I will be able to achieve my distant goals, as I have in the past. If there is anything that I am sure of in my future, it is that I know as long as I love music, my life will forever be filled with meaning. My decision to play music for a living is one of immeasurable value to me, and I am taking it head-on with great ambitions and the enduring motivation to succeed.
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