I adjusted my drum stool once more before looking at my conductor, nodding my head to signal I was ready. As he counted, nervousness began to take over; doubt, fear and the need to play every passage, every fill, to perfection. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay All of these emotions were felt when I stepped onto the stage at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Summer Jazz Program, from the moment I heard that first chord, they disappeared. I've been listening to music for as long as I can remember. I sang and danced to the 2000s R&B my sisters were listening to when I was 5, and eventually developed my own taste and love for music. In seventh grade, I saw a drum cover on a YouTube video that launched my obsession with not only drums, but music as a whole. I see music as a connection. When I can focus on a bass player's quarter notes or accompany a trumpet solo, I hear so much more of what I hear. This engaging feeling of togetherness with others has pushed me to become much more involved not only in the band program within our school, but with others in the community. In eighth grade, I attended a summer program at Douglas College, where I formed new interpersonal relationships with other musicians and discovered more about jazz. From there, I started going to jams with other like-minded people around town, attending other programs similar to those at Douglas, and even played in an honors ensemble for all the Surrey schools. It was my love for music that allowed me to learn the drums, as I am mostly self-taught (I started taking lessons in December 2017), but I also help younger students, direct our school's jazz band, lead a combo and I become proficient in guitar, piano and euphonium. The opportunity to be part of a community of motivated, like-minded people allows me to create freely and work harder to achieve my goals. Being able to study jazz at McGill would allow me to be part of such a community, thus allowing me to work even harder to achieve my goals and help others with music. I value the connections I make with others, so the complete immersion in music I would receive at McGill is priceless. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay It is my passion and love for music that releases feelings of nervousness and fear on stage. I firmly believe that the connections I have tried to make in the community will only be amplified when I am able to create art with those people on campus who are similar to me.