What Music Means to me

Sadly, the time has come to write my final blog post. While I may have complained every night before a post was due, I must admit, I really enjoyed searching for a new topic to write about each week and sharing my thoughts on music with you this semester.

This week, as a final note to leave you off on, I just wanted to explain where my love and passion for music stems from and how it has personally impacted my life over the years. Music has always been an integral part of my life, and my love for music was pretty evident even at a young age. Growing up, my favorite toy was a mini plastic piano and even at the age of 3, I had this obsession and passion for creating music. I’ve carried that same passion with me my entire life, and I put that passion into learning many different instruments. I have played the piano for a little over 15 years now, the flute for 9 years, and the violin for 6 years.

Being born and raised in America, I definitely find it challenging at times to stay connected to my culture and roots in India. Music has helped me stay connected. The amazing thing about music is its ability to bring cultures together. When I am at home, I listen to Indian songs on my laptop and learn how to play the song on my piano simply by ear. This allows me to integrate my Indian culture into everyday life and stay in touch with my heritage.

As cliché as it might sound, music has singlehandedly gotten me through rough patches throughout my life. When I was only 5, my grandfather passed away due to a severe heart attack. Losing a loved one is always going to be hard and disheartening, but at such a young age, it was difficult for me to comprehend the situation and handle the different emotions running through my head. During that time, music really became a therapeutic outlet for me. Although I couldn’t articulate my emotions in words, I was able to express my frustration, stress, and misery through playing the piano. I composed and played a song in memory of my grandfather, which allowed me escape reality for a bit and find some solace.

Another huge part of my life, especially throughout high school, revolved around marching band, which quickly became my niche. I think marching band has that general connotation of being considered that lame, “geeky” activity for losers. To be completely honest, I was initially critical and worried of being labelled as that stereotypical “band geek.”  Looking back on it, I am extremely glad I chose to join. Not only did I create lasting friendships and incredible memories, but I developed team working skills and a sense of individual responsibility.

Screen Shot 2014-05-27 at 7.49.30 AM

Here are some of highlights of my favorite memories from marching band:

How many people can say they got to perform the half-time show at an Eagles game? I can. Needless to say, the experience was unforgettable and one the most memorable moments of my life!

FullSizeRender (5)

In 2010, I was able to perform in the Rose Bowl Parade in California! No big deal or anything.

FullSizeRender (1)

I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the Citrus Bowl Parade in Florida two years later.

FullSizeRender (2)

At the end of the day, my favorite memory from marching band was performing at the Friday night high school football games.

1452094_495846350531181_780402887_n

Screen Shot 2013-11-14 at 8.49.29 PM

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog this semester! I hope you found it to be insightful!

2 Comments on What Music Means to me

  1. Matt Keefe
    April 16, 2015 at 4:30 pm (9 years ago)

    These stories are all so amazing! It’s really impressive to me that you were able to take a passion like this and stay so dedicated to it that it became such a huge part of your life. I’m always so jealous of artists and musicians because it always seems so cool to have a talent that you can always fall back on. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments and I hope that you continue to take such pleasure and comfort in music!

  2. Priya Bose
    April 16, 2015 at 4:28 pm (9 years ago)

    Music does bring cultures together. Like you, I also listen to indian music on my laptop. For some reason, it helps me concentrate while I do my homework. I also really love to sing. While my best friends in high school were in the marching band, and were able to do all the things you did, I was in chorus from sixth grade on. I had a friend who played in the Rose Parade in Pasaden last year. He had a lot of fun with it. It is so interesting that you can play three instruments.

Leave a Reply