Music: Why? A College Essay By Doug V

Music: Why?


Music to me has always been something I can relate to in ways I cannot explain. My grandfather was part of a Big Band, and whenever I talk to him I learn of a new instrument he has tried though-out his experienced years. My father also walked in my grandfather’s footsteps in learning various instruments as a child, such as the violin and the accordion. However, neither brought these very unique talents with them into adulthood. My grandfather worked for public transportation in Boston, and my father dealt with computers and now owns his own restaurant.
My life so far has revolved around music. I have been playing the saxophone since the fifth grade. The saxophone came to me by default. My second cousin had played the saxophone in her high school marching band, and I was able to obtain her sax so I could start to learn the instrument myself. The minute I felt the saxophone in my hands, it just felt right. I started to learn slowly. I progressively became better and better. To be the best saxophone player in my school was my goal as I continued to play. I eventually became the section leader for the saxophones at Norton High School in my junior year.
Later in my musical journey, I decided to expand my horizons. I picked up my first stringed instrument, a guitar. It was completely different from the saxophone I had been playing for the past few years. While learning guitar, I was able to meet one of the most influential people in my life, Ken Freeman. He has been involved with various musical groups, graduated from Berklee College of Music, and is now a music teacher at a charter school. He taught himself to play many different instruments, from the trumpet to the bass. I took lessons with him once a week for about 2 years. In those two years I learned a lot about music, but I learned a great deal about life as well. It was almost as if we would sit there, play music, and philosophize about different things in life, from girls to friends and family.
It wasn’t until about the beginning of sophomore year that I knew what I wanted to study when I went to college. I was looking through the lists of college majors for music. I didn’t want to be a musician, because my skills were not as developed as most of the other players I knew. I wanted to find a way that I could be thoroughly involved with the music industry with out being in the limelight of Hollywood. Then, I saw it; Music Business and Music Industry. It took me by surprise at first because I really didn’t know what it was. I then started to research the jobs and the places that you could end up working. I just fell in love the music industry. Being able to help a single person or a band make their way up in Hollywood just sounded like it was too good to be true. Where else would you be able to travel, go to concerts, and hang out with really amazing people who love the same things that you do, and be able to call it your job!
As I said before, music has always been a part of my life. Through my entire life, from me starting to play music, to me getting the role of Drum Major in my High School marching band; I have always wanted to be able to carry music over with me into adulthood in a profound and amazing way. I want to be able to love what I do for the rest of my life.