What to do...

Yesterday I had my playing exam for Symphonic Band. I wasn't expecting much to happen, since I was fairly confident on all of my music. After playing a lyrical section of John Philip Sousa's People Who Live in Glass Houses, Sarv (director of the UDMB and Symphonic Band), asked me what I'm planning on doing with my life. After telling her I just wasn't sure, we had a great conversation about the frustrations of the bureaucracy of education in the United States. My primary plan of action has been to combat these issues post-graduation. But this interaction with Sarv brings me back to a constant question I have: "Why do I want to do this?" People hate change. They love the sound of it (2008 United States Presidential Election), but they shudder when it actually happens (2010 Health Care Reform Bill). Most of the people in this country are apathetic when it comes to Education. They either think the system works or they have accepted that it doesn't. How can I possibly change this mindset when people just don't care enough? Fixing the educational system doesn't result in an immediate economic payoff. Fixing the educational system doesn't immediately make our borders more secure. Fixing the educational system doesn't immediately improve our lives. And no one is patient enough to wait for these positive changes to occur. So what am I doing? Why am I planning on jumping into a pool that has no easy exit? I love a challenge, but this just sounds like a problem where I'll never be satisfied with the solution.

So I'm scrapping that. I'll sing for money in the NYC Subways until Food Network lets me have a show. Or until I win the lottery...

Making a Difference

So this is about a week later than I wanted it to be, but here it is anyway.

Two weeks ago, I walked just a few blocks off campus to Newark Manor, one of the retirement homes in the area to sing for some of the retirees there with some of the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha. I cannot express how amazing it is to serenade these people. Upon singing For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, one of the men was dancing around in his wheelchair with the biggest smile on his face. He was in his late 80s and not doing too well health-wise but our song lifted his spirits, at least for that day. The joy that our simple act of singing could bring these people was incredible. The smiles on their faces was enough to keep me going through the rest of the day.

Luckily for me, I was able to touch even more lives with music that weekend. On Sunday, the UD Symphonic Band performed with the Academy of Lifelong Learning Band. This band's average age is somewhere around 80. Some members have been playing their instrument since the 1940s, some for only about 2 years. They played their set for us, then we played our set for them and then we played two pieces together. Was it perfect sounding? No. Did it have the most complex parts? No. Was it still an incredible experience? YES. The A.L.L. Band members were mixed in with us and we shared the experience together as one unit.

Final Point: Music is incredible. And you're never too young to appreciate it, or even make some yourself. Music rocks, and so do seniors... :)