|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Discovering Music Therapy | ||||||||||||||||
| The first day of band class in high school in Colorado, I realized I had a lot of work to do to catch up to the experienced players in the band.� Despite all I needed to do, I made first chair that year.� I found out spring of freshman year that I was moving to Virginia during the summer before my sophomore year of high school. | ||||||||||||||||
| When I moved to Grafton High School, in Yorktown, Virginia from Colorado, I was very inexperienced compared to the other students.� One day, I asked Mr. Kirsch, the Band Director, who was sitting in the corner of his office at the computer typing a thousand miles per minute, "Would it be possible to get my bass clarinet soon, so I can begin practicing and get ready for concert season?"� With excitement, "Sure!" he replied, "Do you want to take it home with you today?" he questioned.� "That would be wonderful!" I responded.� At Grafton, I played piccolo in marching band and bass clarinet for three years.� This past year I did so well in band, I even placed 4th in the District Competition. | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior year of high school rolled around, and everyone expect me was signing up for colleges.� I thought about going, but I'd never put my hear into filling out those applications, because I was scared of "growing up."� I only sent applications to Christopher Newport University and Old Dominion University, but both rejected me.� I knew I was better than these two rejection letters implied, but I didn't know where else to apply, and now I wanted to go. | ||||||||||||||||
| One afternoon, I was in the cold, white band room at Grafton High, talking to Mr. Stone, the Assistant Band Director, about college next year.� Sitting on a wooden stool, with an air of curiosity and concern, he inquired, "Where do you plan on attending college?"� I had no idea where I wanted to go, but I didn?t want to sound unmotivated.� I replied, "I haven't decided yet; I sent applications to CNU and ODU."� With obvious concern, he asked, "Cate sweetie, do you know what you want to major in yet when you go to school next year?"� I timidly replied, "No sir; I can't decide between nursing and music."� "You should try applying to Radford University and Shenandoah Music Conservatory, because they both have wonderful music therapy programs," he said.� "Both schools are noted on the American Music Therapy Association website."� "This sounds interesting," I thought, "and I want to learn more.� I think I should probably start looking into this subject a little more." | ||||||||||||||||
| The next day in class, Mr. Stone, in his pink shirt and tan khakis, told me, "I have a friend who is a music therapist."� I thought, "This sounds kind of neat, helping the disabled and such."� He wrote her email address and phone number down of me, and said, ?If you have any questions, Julie should be able to answer them for you.? | ||||||||||||||||
| That evening, I sat down in the corner of the living room, at the computer, to begin researching the idea some more, and soon I became even more fascinated with the idea of music therapy.� I learned that therapists work in hospitals or schools, and they use music to calm down mentally-handicapped patients when they have temper tantrums.� | ||||||||||||||||
| I have always liked helping others and giving my time to those who are in need.� I decided it would be fun to work with disabled, because they are usually some of the nicest people.� I also liked music and playing for others, which is involved in almost every therapy session.� Psychology, which I think is a very interesting subject, is also very much a part of music therapy. | ||||||||||||||||
| Since that day in band class, I have decided that music therapy is going to be my future.� However, to accomplish this goal I need to go to college and finish my degree.� I expect to finish my degree in music therapy in about 4 to 5 years.� After I get my Associates degree at Thomas Nelson Community College, I plan to transfer to Christopher Newport University, Shenandoah Music Conservatory, or even Radford University, because, despite its party school reputation, it does have a good music therapy program.� Until then, I shall continue on my journey, and who knows what my future shall bring? | ||||||||||||||||
| Return to my home page | ||||||||||||||||
| Return to my English 109 class page | ||||||||||||||||