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I was given the opportunity to interview Mr. Shellard, one of the choir directors, about his job and how he chose to stay in his passion. It was interesting to hear the perspective of someone who has grown up with music. I thought that, at a point, he might have found it boring. He said that he actually finds it to be a unique journey every time.

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One of the most important things I heard him say was about the rewards and drawbacks of teaching and his job. He never thought that he would have to deal with so many emails and paperwork. Although that is difficult for him to get through he still has his main focus. Mr. Shellard stated that, “no one does teaching for the money”. Instead, he shares joy in his students achievements and focuses on being cheerleaders for them as they find their passions as well.

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I hope to take Mr. Shellard’s advice to follow your heart even if the going gets tough. Once I finally get to the checkpoint and open the door of achievement in my work and studies I hope for music to fill my ears as it did for me the very first time.

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8 This Type of Answer Cannot Be Found in the Details of Sheet Music

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8 This Type of Answer Cannot Be Found in the Details of Sheet Music

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It only comes from the experiences of life and how we deal with the truth that we’ve learned.

This had made me think about how I wanted to continue with music in the future. I’ve teased the idea of music education since, I have been positively influenced by my teachers.

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"What makes all of these people stay?"

Is it the habit of having the class? Is it the friends? Is it the satisfaction in knowing music a little deeper? Is it the hunger of not knowing music enough? Is it to have something to do?  Or is it something to get lost in? Is it what keeps the pieces of others lives together? Or is it the separation of a stressful reality and a musical fantasy?

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6 Even Now, It's Difficult For Me to Put a Finger On Why I Pursue Music

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6 Even Now, It's Difficult For Me to Put a Finger On Why I Pursue Music

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Saying,

‘because I enjoy doing it’

still doesn’t seem to suffice. I had to find something logistical to tie it up and keep my mind set on continuing to keep music in a large part of my life. Since I couldn’t find the  answer for myself, I looked into others that had some of the answers I was looking for.

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...hours of rehearsals and time that needed to be taken to memorize music, stage positions, dots or dances.

Then, there are the small pieces that aren’t exactly in the ‘job description’: a compilation of cringe moments, getting yelled at by directors, stress of having to go around parents who don’t understand the importance, drama with other arts kids, and everything else in between.

Even with that, I wouldn’t trade any of those experiences out. I learned some really hard lessons as I lost myself in the music department. With the four years that have finally flew by, I realized that I found bits and pieces of myself too.

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I am so thankful that four years ago I took a risk and realized that I still had a chance as I dug deep into the music and arts at Glenbrook South. Although, that opportunity did not come without a price.

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All I knew about arts in general was the surface and rumors of what others have said. I never got a chance to take voice lessons, acting classes, or dance classes when I was younger.

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Being in a high school choir after middle school is like being an animal placed in a bigger zoo: the same crazy people  and the same crazy drama with more space and people for it. At least that’s what I thought on the surface.

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I slowly opened the door and music filled my ears.

Never again will I go back to ‘sing-songy’ rhymes or silly dances. This is legit.