aceofspades1017

“Music is life, and, like it, inextinguishable.” – Carl Nielsen I used to wonder why musicians do what they do.  “What you do is amazing,” a clinician at the Governor’s Honors Program, or GHP, told us.  “Music is something we must keep and preserve.  Some schools are trying to end music programs because they believe it is more than a hobby.  But, no, it is a necessity.  We need it to express ourselves and believe it’s a part of life that makes us realize that ‘missing thing’ in our life that nothing else can do.”  I scoffed desp

I was used to playing orchestra concerts. However, this particular concert I had acted differently onstage playing the Firebird Suite.  My hands were dripping like a salty rainfall because of the tuxedo I was wearing.  A big knot formed in my chest.  “Breathe slowly,” I tried to convince myself.  “You’re overreacting.  Chill dude.  Just chill out, Ace.” The stage, with its heavy lighting and pitch-black auditorium full of people, was burning me with what felt like the intensity of a thousand suns.  The orchestra’s playing conveyed what I felt-- chaotic and scared.  My conductor, Mr. Czarcowski, looked at me with

I am America. As my brother is, As my sister is, As my father is, And my mother is, We are all America. The fact we live in this world Of hate and suffering; Of kindness and caring; And other freedoms sharing, I am America. As my friend is, As my acquaintance is, As my neighbor is, And my enemies too… We are all America In this world, America is not just a country, America is freedom; America is justice in our hearts and minds. As we are all America Every Man Every Woman Every Boy Every Girl We are all America