Prompt: 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.
I sat in my pristinely organized room doing homework and studying for midterms. There were two issues with this scene: a teenager's room is never clean, and midterms were not for another three months. The problem was that I literally had nothing to do. A lack of passion and courage blocked me from escaping the confines of my room. As an eighth grader, I was still searching for a key to set me free. Only through musical enlightenment did I gain access to the outside world.
It was nearly four years ago when I discovered the magnificent realm of classical music. Perusing the Internet in my caged room, I chanced upon an intriguing video entitled "Chaconne by Vitali". Clicking on the link, I blankly watched as a young violinist strode onto stage. Uninterested, I moved to click the exit button when a striking chord suddenly pierced me, filling up the voids of my body. The violinist then led me through a transformative roller coaster of triplets and arpeggios that concluded with yet another piercing chord. An eternity of searching had finally ended as Chaconne unlocked the gateway to my destiny.
The passion exuded by both Vitali and the violinist thrust me out of my inactive shell. I became eager to speak the language of composers through an instrument. Immediately, I took up the trumpet and later the violin, practicing each with an unwavering commitment to mastery. Eventually, the objective black notes evolved into a blank canvas that I could personalize. Embellishing every phrase and adding subtle nuances to each melody, I interpreted each piece and displayed a piece of myself in my performances. This musical discovery filled me with a newfound determination needed to venture out into the world and uncover other suppressed abilities. Soon, I found myself embracing new challenges and activities, gradually shedding my former self.
Classical music guided my life from a limited world to one with unimagined liberty. Discovering Chaconne and its wonders was like unveiling a shroud of ignorance. Suddenly, I became aware of all the opportunities surrounding me. Propelled by courage and enthusiasm, I engaged myself in everything I enjoyed from science to tutoring, striving to be the best in each outlet. This growing pile of activities paired with a desire to fulfill myself allowed me to embody that actively involved student I had always yearned to be.
Now that I am living the high school dream, never do I want to return to my former prison. Undoubtedly, I owe my academic and extracurricular achievements to the works of composers long gone. In stagnant times, there is no magical device to inject me with passion, but I can always count on Vitali and his peers for inspiration. When I am in my geriatric years, I will still cherish the wondrous Chaconne, among other classical pieces. As a teenager however, I am already immersing myself in these often-overlooked masterpieces and integrating them into the fabric of a more purposeful life.
(495 words)
I sat in my pristinely organized room doing homework and studying for midterms. There were two issues with this scene: a teenager's room is never clean, and midterms were not for another three months. The problem was that I literally had nothing to do. A lack of passion and courage blocked me from escaping the confines of my room. As an eighth grader, I was still searching for a key to set me free. Only through musical enlightenment did I gain access to the outside world.
It was nearly four years ago when I discovered the magnificent realm of classical music. Perusing the Internet in my caged room, I chanced upon an intriguing video entitled "Chaconne by Vitali". Clicking on the link, I blankly watched as a young violinist strode onto stage. Uninterested, I moved to click the exit button when a striking chord suddenly pierced me, filling up the voids of my body. The violinist then led me through a transformative roller coaster of triplets and arpeggios that concluded with yet another piercing chord. An eternity of searching had finally ended as Chaconne unlocked the gateway to my destiny.
The passion exuded by both Vitali and the violinist thrust me out of my inactive shell. I became eager to speak the language of composers through an instrument. Immediately, I took up the trumpet and later the violin, practicing each with an unwavering commitment to mastery. Eventually, the objective black notes evolved into a blank canvas that I could personalize. Embellishing every phrase and adding subtle nuances to each melody, I interpreted each piece and displayed a piece of myself in my performances. This musical discovery filled me with a newfound determination needed to venture out into the world and uncover other suppressed abilities. Soon, I found myself embracing new challenges and activities, gradually shedding my former self.
Classical music guided my life from a limited world to one with unimagined liberty. Discovering Chaconne and its wonders was like unveiling a shroud of ignorance. Suddenly, I became aware of all the opportunities surrounding me. Propelled by courage and enthusiasm, I engaged myself in everything I enjoyed from science to tutoring, striving to be the best in each outlet. This growing pile of activities paired with a desire to fulfill myself allowed me to embody that actively involved student I had always yearned to be.
Now that I am living the high school dream, never do I want to return to my former prison. Undoubtedly, I owe my academic and extracurricular achievements to the works of composers long gone. In stagnant times, there is no magical device to inject me with passion, but I can always count on Vitali and his peers for inspiration. When I am in my geriatric years, I will still cherish the wondrous Chaconne, among other classical pieces. As a teenager however, I am already immersing myself in these often-overlooked masterpieces and integrating them into the fabric of a more purposeful life.
(495 words)
