<p>Hi all,
I recently posted my prompt 1 for UC and was very grateful for the tips I received. Ive now completed a first draft of prompt 2 and am wondering what people think
Thanks in advance :).</p>
<p>Music has been an integral part of my life for a long time. I had never given playing an instrument much thought, until one day in primary school when my teacher asked if anyone would like to start learning a brass instrument. My initial thought was simply why not? so I raised my hand, unaware that I had stumbled upon a passion that would stay with me for life.</p>
<p>From then on I counted the days until my next music lesson every week, progressing quickly until my teacher decided I was ready to complete grade 1 (a UK instrumental qualification the first of 8 progressively difficult grades). This consisted of learning 3 pieces plus playing a piece I had never seen before to test sight-reading. I practiced a lot every day, and when the result arrived I was delighted to learn I had earned a distinction (the highest grade possible).</p>
<p>After this my teacher invited me to join the school wind group. I remember being very excited as I had never really been involved in any kind of club or society, and this was an opportunity to learn more about my new found passion and improve greatly.</p>
<p>A few months had passed and the band had learned a few pieces in preparation for the annual Christmas show at a local church. Upon reflection, after playing shows in front of many people at large venues this was miniscule in comparison. However at age 9, playing in front of the whole school plus parents and local residents was daunting, to say the least. Before the show I was terrified that I would make a horrible mistake and everyone would notice (as even a small error on an brass instrument is noticed by everyone due to their loudness). The show came and went, along with my initial stage fright; I remember thinking Is that it? I had been worried for nothing, as it turned out I quite enjoyed playing in front of people: I wanted to do it again.</p>
<p>Although playing in a small school band may seem quite arbitrary to someone reading this, it had a very significant impact on my development as a musician and as a person. I was always quite shy as a child, reluctant to leave my comfort zone, but after accomplishing my fear of public humiliation this was a thing of the past. </p>
<p>After moving up to secondary school (sixth grade in the UK as opposed to tenth) I continued attending a weekly music lesson (with the same teacher who, by chance worked at both schools). Moving to a larger school gave me new opportunities, new bands to join with more experienced members who could teach me new skills. My instrumental skill blossomed further, and I am now in the process of completing grade 8 this year, thus fully completing the music grade exams.</p>
<p>I have played in front of many audiences, from school productions to social events, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Without that key moment of playing in a small wind group, in front of not more than 100 people, I would not have progressed to where I am today. I wouldnt have discovered the excitement involved in playing for a large crowd, or how fun it can be just to play in the background at an event. In short, I would have missed out on uncovering my one true passion: performing, and as such I believe that my first performance was one of the key events in my life so far.</p>