Everyone has been perseverant before in their lives.  Whether it was getting through a long day or learning how to ride a bike. It is a very important thing to always keep in mind and very helpful advice. The only way to be successful is to pace yourself. Life is like a marathon, not a sprint. Only being ready to work hard for a long time will bring you to the top. This is something I found out when I auditioned for select band.

I had already tried, and failed, in sixth grade. Although I had practiced, it wasn’t enough. The following year, I began preparing over the summer. I selected my piece, one that I had already played for NYSSMA, and I knew it well. I started practicing my piece like my life depended on it, trying to get it as close to perfect as possible. I also randomly chose small compositions to enhance my sight reading skills. I enjoyed playing different styles of music and even tried figuring out the notes of songs that played on the radio. As I practiced, my sound got smoother, and the melodies were clear. Starting early over the summer was a good idea, I quickly found out. It gave me time to work out everything that I was having a hard time on. As the summer went by like a breeze, I grew more and more prepared. I waited for fall, ready to audition.

A few weeks after school started, I signed up for my audition. I was already almost ready. I just had to run over my piece a couple of times, and I would be set. As the day approached, I became more and more nervous. Once my audition day arrived, I sat after school in the band room, palms sweaty, heart racing. It was hard to believe I spent three months preparing for a five minute audition. Eventually, after what felt like a few hours, I walked into the cool audition room. The boy that auditioned before me wished me good luck. I thanked him and settled down into a chair. Ready with my piece and my flute, I sat restlessly in the chair. I performed my piece, pretty confidently too. After finishing, I patiently waited as the teacher took notes. I strode out of the room, happy that I finally finished.

A week later, the results came out. They were posted on an old bulletin board in a hallway. A large bunch of people were huddled together like penguins in the winter, mostly seventh graders. All of them were peering at the posted piece of paper, hoping to catch a glimpse of their name. Excited squeals erupted from people as they realised they made it in and could stay in for the rest of middle school. I calmly waited for my turn and then took a look at the paper. I skimmed the flute section, hoping to find my name there. Then near the bottom, I found it. I turned around to my friend and told her I made it in. She congratulated me as I looked through the rest of the list, looking for other people I knew. As we walked to homeroom, I realised that that the reason I got selected was because of all the extra effort I put in.

In life, patience is important. You can try to rush things all you can, but in the end somethings must be waited for. This is something I experienced first hand when I auditioned for select band. Life is an uphill battle that you have to persevere through. In the end, being perseverant will help you for your whole life.

-Trivika Komatireddy