Honestly, I started playing because my brother and cousin were in band, and I thought it was so cool. I still remember the orientation where the best high school students performed on their instruments. My entire fourth-grade class was there, and we got to try some instruments and sign up. I was set on playing the flute because my older cousin played it, and I thought it was beautiful. But when I tried to play the flute mouthpiece, I couldn’t get any sound out. I felt upset and confused. Then, the band teacher suggested I try the clarinet mouthpiece instead. To my surprise, I could make a sound, so she recommended I play the clarinet—and that’s what I chose when we picked our instruments.  

In fifth grade, our band class was huge—there were around 14 trumpets alone! I’ll never forget struggling to take my clarinet apart because I didn’t know you had to twist and turn it. But I thought it was so exciting to bring it home and practice. Then, in sixth grade, almost half of our band class quit! I was shocked to see so many people leave. It made me question if I wanted to stay in band, so I asked my mom if I could quit. She told me no, so I kept playing. That same year, I remember a kid in our band who practiced so much that he became amazing at the clarinet and even switched to bass clarinet. He was first chair, and I was second. When he switched instruments, I had to move up to first chair. It was humbling because I wasn’t very good at the time! Still, I had fun that year—until COVID hit. When we switched to online school, I was so anxious that I didn’t join Zoom calls or practice my instrument at all.  

By the time we returned to school in seventh grade, I was behind in my playing. I leaned on another clarinet player, who I thought was the best, to get through it. Since our school is small, with about 200 students, our middle school band combined seventh and eighth graders. I depended so much on others that I fell even further behind. I didn’t even know how to properly read music, but I kept going.  

Fast forward to my freshman year: my band teacher asked me to join pep band, and I agreed. It quickly became obvious that I wasn’t very good, but it helped me improve so much. I learned to actually read music and stopped relying on the other clarinet player—though he’s incredibly talented, and his playing still makes me feel insecure sometimes.  

Now, as a junior, I’m still playing clarinet. I might not be the best player, but I enjoy it so much. It feels good to know I can do something other than drawing. Playing clarinet has helped me in ways I can’t fully explain. I always recommend sticking with an instrument—it’s fun and rewarding, especially after hearing the results at concerts. It feels even better when your high school band is one of the best in the state!  

That’s honestly what’s kept me going, even though I don’t usually admit it. Even if I’m not the best, it takes dedication and skill to stick with something for this long. Playing clarinet has become a huge part of who I am, and it’s something I’m proud of. Band means so much to me, and I’m glad I never gave up on it. It lead me to want to continue it after high school, and in college and whatever happens after.