Why do music? That was the question running through my head as I stepped through the doors of my soon-to-be middle school. The decision I had to make, even though it wouldn't be the biggest in my life, felt very challenging at the moment. Luckily, I made the best decision, the choice of music in my life. My name’s Zayne, I play the cello and I am currently in the 11th grade. Coming into middle school, I already had experience with music, but never really found a deeper connection with it. My music journey wasn't just a one-stop journey, rather it was a development that has and will help me all through my life.
My first real exposure to music was through my first instrument, the keyboard. Rather than playing the “more sophisticated” piano, I started my journey playing my light-up keyboard. I started playing the classics, hot cross buns, Für Elise, etc., but what got me most interested was a book that my mom bought me - ABBA Classics. The book had many different songs, and even though they were way above my skill level then, I would try to play these pieces, slowly attempting the melody of Gimme! Gimme!Gimme! and Dancing Queen. Even to this day, I have this book sitting near my piano, and I can finally echo I Have a Dream through our house.
The biggest directional step in my music journey happened in 6th grade. I had previously played the piano, but coming into middle school, that wasn't an option for me to choose to play in our music program. Going into our open house for music, I had been dead set on playing something like percussion, being able to be one of those insane drummers who are able to throw their sticks in the air and still keep everything on time. Even as I was in our orchestra room, my mind was wandering away, dreaming of the hard rock music that I thought I could play. My mom dragged me over to the different instruments, trying them out and giving each of the instructors a cheesy smile, enough to try and show some content with the instrument, but very obvious to them that I would not be playing it. My last stop, however, was when I listened to Tarantella. My gaze shifted over to the cello, and I knew that I wanted to try this instrument. From that moment, I knew I had fallen in love with this delicate deep-sounding instrument.
Coming into high school, I continued both my piano and cello, continuing through COVID-19 and finding myself drawn to the new music that I would receive. However, while playing the music, it was almost as if all my music had no emotion. Until this point, learning about music had always been about getting everything correct, but not putting my heart into music. I wish I could say that there was a switch that I turned on that allowed me to put it in my music, or a specific piece that I listened to, and then magically everything worked, but this is where there isn't really an end to my music journey. Every day, my music changes its shape, adding a little bit of my life into my playing. Through my rough times, music has helped me get through, by just picking up the cello and learning new pieces, or listening to my favorite music on Spotify.
Throughout my life, music has always had an impact, whether I'm playing in an orchestra with my friends, or being able to learn different music. In my school, I'm known to start singing, not well, while I am playing for my tennis team, keeping me calm and centered. Music was able to bring out the best in me, and learning different instruments has made me the person I am today. I have grown through my experiences with Tritone Youth Orchestra and my private lessons with Zach Lavender, and I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. The sessions help me convert my raw emotions into something truly melodious. I look forward to growing deeper and using my music to root me in life.