When I was eleven years old, I had no idea that band would be the first step to becoming who I wanted to be. Sitting next to new people I had never talked to, holding an instrument I had never played, and being in a class I had never been in before scared me and exhilarated me all at once. Despite how much I had always wanted to play an instrument, I never knew that music could influence my life as much as it has today.

When I was in elementary school, I had many friends. But none of them had the same interests as me. We were only friends because we were in the same class for six hours a day. But when I started playing music, I began to open my eyes to an entirely new world. There were people who finally had the same interests as me. There were people that I felt like I could be myself around.

When I entered junior high, I wasn’t aware that my entire world would come crashing down. All my friends started talking to new people, and eventually, I had no one. I found myself trying to fit in with different groups, but I quickly found out that I wasn’t going to get along with people who weren’t interested in the same things as I was. Once I realized that changing myself to make friends wasn’t right, I started to become okay with being who I was.

Music has always been an important part of my life. Through playing the piano all throughout elementary school and then learning the trumpet later, I realized that music has influenced who I am as a person. All the friends that I have made are through the band. But it’s not just because we share the same passion for music. Most of the time, music unites us. But it’s the different things about us that keep us together.

Not only has music helped me find friends, but it has also helped me to concentrate more. Growing up with ADD, it was difficult trying to focus, even if I was interested in what someone was talking about. But when it comes to learning an instrument, all your concentration is required. Music taught me to be patient, and that having a disorder doesn’t mean I can’t function normally. Although it may be harder to focus and may take longer for me to complete a task than other people, music has helped me to grow and appreciate myself.

Music takes hard work and dedication, but it instills patience and confidence. Without music, I probably never would have learned how to truly embrace who I am. Music has helped me to grow, even when I thought it was impossible. Learning an instrument has provided me with not only the ability to appreciate music but the tools I need to succeed in life.