Undergraduate / I have been persecuted all my life.; Common APP [11]

Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

This essay is 617 words long so I need to shorten it. Also any grammar error/feedback is welcome! Due in less than three days Thank you !

I turned the light off and lied down on my bed. Trumpet began playing and soon piano, violin, timpani and trombone tied up to make a full harmony. My all time favorite Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto in B Minor was playing on the radio, and a strange power touched me that put a seven year old boy in deep thoughts. Tear droplets formed around my eyes, and I started crying. Then I ran out, woke my parents up, and wiping my tears, murmured, "I want to see my cousins." It was a typical bedtime.

This crying routine continued on, and the experience expanded beyond my bedtime setting. First grade, I broke into tears during a class whenever the teacher would play her favorite classical piece. I looked like an overly sensitive and emotional boy who cried for no special reason, and I gained embarrassing nicknames such as rain-boy and mama-boy. In frustration, I thought to myself "Why am I crying? Why can't I control it?" But tears ensued. When I sought for help, my parents simply thought my puberty came early- very early- and ignored it.

Eventually, I found myself abhorring classical music. Tchaikovsky's piano concerto? I was tired of listening to it. Trumpet, violin, and all those "classical" instruments? I despised their sound and shut my ears. "Classical music is a discordance of useless instruments" I would think to myself to avoid listening to it at all cost. I permanently deleted classical music stations form my radio preset, and forced myself to listen to contemporary pop music. It was a perfect plan: If I stop listening to classical music, I will stop crying, and I will finally grow up and be a man. The plan worked throughout my elementary school journey, and I successfully moved on from a rainboy- well- until I accidently listened to a famous pianist's performance.

In a typical eighth grade boredom, I was perusing through the Internet and stumbled upon a link called "Lang Lang's amazing performance." Lang Lang? Must be some circus performance I thought. The moment I clicked on the link, I heard trumpets. Then piano. Then violin, timpani and trombone. It was Tchaikovsky; a piece that I had not heard of for eight years, for which I had been hindering my affection, so I could be a man. Even though embarrassing flashbacks were rushing in, I continued watching it and eventually found myself closing my eyes. Soon, tears appeared; perhaps because of the same mysterious reasons as the old days, or because I was overjoyed by the reunion. But this time, I was not embarrassed, let the tears drop and regretted myself for avoiding classical music for the past years.

It is eccentric, and almost unbelievable to say that one miss-click on a random day led to a profound realization. But it did. The music left me to ponder and to think in retrospect, and I finally realized that I had been blocking myself from doing what I love and enjoy because of other's reaction. Classical music is something so powerful that can create joyful tears in my eyes, but I never appreciated it. It is something so provoking that can leave me ponder and reminisce. It is something that keeps me focused while working on strenuous English papers. After the encounter with Lang Lang, i have learned to appreciate my passion. It triggered me into not only pursuing classical genre but also exploring new genre outside of the musical realm. Eventually, i reached out and have become a fervent volunteer at a local hospital, an influential math teacher for middle school students, and a piano tutor for the disabled- all began with a lucky "misclick" on a typical day.

Undergraduate / I found myself averting from classical music; Common App [15]

Hi guys, my deadline is impeding (in two days..), and I really need feedback/comments for my essay. Please help me out :) Thank you ! (It's 49 words longer btw)

He turned the light off and lied down on his bed. Trumpet began playing and soon piano, violin, timpani and trombone tied up to make a full harmony. His all time favorite Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto in B Minor was playing on the radio, and a strange force compelled a sensitive seven-years-old boy to think and reminisce. Soon enough, he was snoring. It was my typical bedtime.

But my bedtime routine all changed after I entered elementary school. Elementary school was a place of conformity, where I had to follow the strict rules: blue is for guys, red is for girls; classical music is for old people, pop music is for young people. Apparently I was a "little grandpa" if I enjoyed listening to classical music. Though it was strange why anyone would not listen to this great genre, as I grew older, I found myself shrinking and conforming to the norm before the society completely shut down my self-confidence and dignity.

Eventually I conformed. I found myself averting from classical music, playing pop music station during bed time, and trying to color everything in blue to become an ordinary boy. Occasionally, I secretly put on my headphones and listen to my favorite Tchaikovsky piece. Then again, I put the headphone down, in the fear of someone asking me "what are you listening to?" I was not prepared to confront the mockery and the embarrassment- until I met Lang Lang.

I first met Lang Lang at his piano concert with my aunt's ticket. But it was not an ordinary one. As an interlude, he played the Chopin's Black Keys with an orange. When he played Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto, his facial expression reminded me of a pig. He constantly stood up and down as if he was a marionette. I laughed, questioning his professionalism and his fame. Despite my boorish behavior, Lang Lang completed his sonata flawlessly, received an overwhelming standing ovation. I was no longer smiling, but gazing in amazement. Suddenly, he was my hero, who overcame the embarrassment of his eccentric performance, then turned it into an exceptional performance, and even acclaimed by the norm as an added bonus.

From that day on, I have been modeling after Lang Lang, to be unique, not ordinary. I have been gradually becoming my seven-year-old self again, listening to the genre of music I love shamelessly and proudly. And I have even extended this influence to my obstinate, pop-loving friends to grow interest in the classical music realm. With the gained self-confidence and even leadership, coupled with my love for music, I founded various volunteer programs such as the musical therapy program at a local hospital, and the music tutoring program for the underprivileged kids. Though some of my peers warned me, "Why waste your time? There are plenty other volunteer opportunities out there." But I remained constant and have been running the programs successfully, and even gained recognitions from the media as an added bonus. Ultimately, I have become an owner of myself, not a follower of others, and I have learned to pursue my own field of passion and take pride in it. Now, I put myself to sleep, listening to Lang Lang's rendition of Tchaikovsky, reflecting on his influence. Soon enough, I am snoring. It is my typical bedtime. (549)