I adjusted the drum throne one more time before looking at my conductor, nodding to signal that I was ready. As she counted, feelings of nervousness began to take over; doubt, fear and the desire to play every passage, every fill, perfectly. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay All of these emotions were felt when I took the stage at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestras' summer jazz program, and yet, from the moment I heard that first chord, they were gone. I've been listening to music for as long as I can remember. I sang and danced to the beats of 2000s R&B that my sisters listened to when I was 5, and eventually developed my own taste and love for music. In 7th grade, I saw a drum cover on a YouTube video that started my obsession with not only drumming, but music as a whole. I see music as a connection. When I'm able to hang on to a bassist's quarter notes or accompany a trumpet solo, I feel so much more than what I hear. This addictive feeling of cohesion with others has pushed me to become much more involved not only in the music program within our school, but also with other members of the community. In 8th grade, I attended a summer program at Douglas College, where I formed new interpersonal relationships with other musicians and discovered jazz. From there, I started jamming with other like-minded people around town, participating in other programs similar to Douglas's, and even played in a specialty ensemble for all schools in Surrey. It was my love for music that allowed me to learn the drums, as I am mainly self-taught (I started taking lessons in December 2017), but I also help younger students, I directs our school's jazz orchestra, I lead a combo, and I'm proficient on guitar, piano, and euphonium. Being part of a community of like-minded and motivated individuals 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, allowing me to work even harder to achieve my own and help others achieve their musical goals. I enjoy the connections I make with others, which is why the total immersion in music I would receive at McGill is priceless. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Essay It is my passion and love for music that takes away the feelings of nervousness and fear on stage. I firmly believe that the connections I have sought to make in the community will only grow as I am able to create art with people on campus who look like me..