I had been playing an instrument since fifth grade. I didn't join a symphony until freshman year of college. It was and still is one of the best choices I made. The experience, the new group, the friends and some many other reasons that signing up for symphony orchestra was one of the best choices. Yeah, the two hour rehearsals can be the worst, but it's all worth it The people that I meet and the skills that I have gained are worth so much to me. I have learned more in one rehearsal that I will learn in a semester of math.
See, I started out playing flute, and once I got to high school, I switched to oboe. While both are played in an orchestra, the only reason why I'm playing in the orchestra is because I play oboe. I didn't have the opportunity in high school because my high school was so big. When I joined the orchestra, I had this whole opportunity to be surrounded by amazing musicians and different types of musicians. I tested my musicianship and my ability to adapt. Being a band kid, I was under the impression that the sharp scales were the dark scales, but the orchestra taught me to love sharp scales. This is just one of the many examples that orchestra has been beneficial for me.
We have a community orchestra at my college so in total there are only seven or eight students in the orchestra. We all are pretty close. I think it's partially because we are in every ensemble together. We also band together as being students and we know what each other is going through. They are some of the closest friends and best people I have met. They have the most amazing hearts and they are the best people to learn from. I love being able to surround myself with amazing musicians and amazing people. It's the greatest feeling is knowing that I have people who will listen to my life and musical problems.
I mentioned that we are a community orchestra. They are the most amazing musicians. They are also fun people with all different walks of life. We have grumpy man in the woodwind section and an adorable string player. There's a string player that looks like my favorite SURVIVOR contestant's dad. Our brass section is full of the most talented musicians as well as the funniest people. And it's okay for them joke around because they know their parts and they are extremely talented. My section is full of knowledge and encouragement and I couldn't be happier with where I am.
I know it sounds really lame to say that symphony is the best thing that's happened to me, but it honestly is. I'm the only sophomore in the orchestra and I get to hang out with the upperclassmen and get their advice and knowledge. It's so much more than just a musical experience. It's a friendship. I would call some of the symphony members my best friends.
