Nine years ago, I picked up a flute and a choir binder for the first time on the first day of fifth grade. I thought I was just joining two musical groups, like pretty much everyone else was, but I was actually forming the foundation for the rest of my life. I wasn't just joining a band and a choir, I was joining a family. This is what I learned from them.
1. Practice doesn't always make perfect, but it sure helps.
Sometimes, no matter how many times you rehearse, that one measure just won't click. But practicing helps give you confidence. Although there's always a chance you'll mess up when performance time rolls around, you'll definitely do better after hours of practicing than after a few minutes of cramming.
2. It's OK to screw up.
Today's society loves perfection and as a result, we can feel a lot of pressure to conform to the standard of perfectionism. But at the end of the day, nothing is ever 100 percent perfect, especially when you're playing in a large musical group. So take a deep breath, do the best you can and if you have a minor screw up (or even a major one), just keep going. Everybody does it at some point.
3. Relying on other people is important.
The world isn't your responsibility, and sometimes we all need a buddy to lean on. Luckily for us music people, that "buddy" often comes in the form of an entire ensemble of wonderful people.
4. And so is being someone others can rely on.
OK, so the entire world isn't your responsibility, but part of it is. Take accountability for your actions and do your part. It'll benefit everybody.
5. There are an infinite number of ways to see the world.
When you're playing or singing in a musical group, remember that everyone is seeing and hearing the music through a different lens. Sometimes, the lenses can vary day-by-day for just one person, because everybody has their own story to tell. Every song means something different to everyone, and that's part of what makes it beautiful.
6. Sometimes, having fun takes hard work, and that's OK.
There's nothing better than finishing a fantastic performance and watching the audience rise to their feet, but what they saw was a program of one song after another, not the many days, weeks and months of hard work leading up to it. It's one of the greatest joys in life, but it wouldn't be possible without effort. Remember that fun doesn't always have to be lazy.
7. Listening is more important than being heard.
Your part isn't always the most important, and even if it is, you have to listen to what everyone else is doing. You'll never be in balance with the rest of the group if you never take the time to know what they're playing or singing.
8. Perform for others, not yourself.
When we perform, we're performing a piece we know like the back of our own hand. We know the ins and outs of the entire thing, so it's not new to us. To the audience, however, it's a brand new experience. So when you perform, perform for the people who are hearing it for the first time. They are the ones you can make a true impression on.
9. A picture is worth a thousand words, but a chord can be worth a million.
There's honestly no greater feeling than hitting a chord that really manages to tug at your heartstrings. It's an amazing feeling and can sometimes encompass everything you've been feeling practically forever in one, quick beautiful combination of notes. It's an astounding feeling, and there is truly nothing more wonderful.
10. Nothing can stand alone without a support system beneath it.
Never underestimate the power of the bass section. Sure, sometimes they have mostly whole notes and you might forget about them, but they're one of the most important parts of any group. We need them to build a foundation, and they're just as much a part of the ensemble as everyone else.
11. Softer softs make for louder louds.
Sometimes playing or singing louder isn't the answer to creating contrast. The softer you can play in the soft sections, the louder the loud sections will feel. It's sort of the same way in life, if you think about it. People who are loud all the time are just loud people, but those who only raise their voice for something they truly believe in can move mountains.
12. If it feels like everything is moving too fast, it probably is. Slow it down.
You don't always have to go full speed on the first day. Take a step back and work through the tough spots, and if you need to slow it down more, that's OK. Life doesn't always need to be a race.
13. Emotions are a good thing, not a weakness.
Performing on stage requires a certain degree of vulnerability. In fact, I'd be lying if I said I haven't cried after a particularly heartfelt performance of a beautiful song. Music is more than notes on a page, and being in touch with your emotions helps you convey that.
14. There's nothing more powerful than a passionate group of people working towards the same goal.
The people I've met in musical groups are some of the most passionate people I've ever encountered, and putting all of us together in a room can make great things happen. Musical groups are basically the Avengers, but without all of the death and destruction.
15. Music truly is the universal language.
Music has the capacity change our lives. It makes us better people and gives us a whole new perspective on life. A single chord can fill us with joy or make us cry, and a single song can capture what it means to be human. It doesn't matter where you're from or where you're going when you're part of an ensemble. All that matters is the music we make together. That's the magic of music.
