1. It provides a challenge.

Each time I walk into school, I pray that I can't do something, that I don't understand it yet, that I need to learn. Music is one of the few things that provides that each time I begin working, and I can never settle for anything less than perfect, an impossibility in the realm of music.

2. It's given me a work ethic comparable to many highly successful people.

Last year, in order to make room to finish my homework and practice each night, I totally eliminated watching TV from my weekday schedule, and only allowed myself half an hour to be on my phone. Although that may be extreme, I found myself more energized and less stressed out, even for my hardest classes.

3. It's given me a place to fail.

No one is expected to be perfect on their first try, even veterans. We let everyone start from the beginning, and failure is expected in every rep. This has improved my self-confidence exponentially, because criticism is much easier to take, and I know my self-worth it not dependent upon one try of something.

4. While still allowing for failure, I have learned to expect only the best from myself.

If I can put in more effort, why I am not? Why do I wait for the next try? This has spread throughout my school life, pushing me to do my homework each night, to give even the smallest assignments my all. If I get a good score on a test, what can I do next time to improve it further?

5. I have found a second family.

I could attempt to name everyone in music who has had a positive effect on me, but that would take hours. I know I can fall back on the people in my section to support me as I have supported them. They can make me laugh amidst the darkest of times about something as silly as Calliou. I have cried with them, during our last rehearsal time together. They each mean so much to me in their own way, and I wouldn't trade them for the world.