Alumni Scholarship Application Essay

Of all the things i've done in my life there has only really been one thing that has changed me forever and would never want to get rid of. And that special thing in my life is music. I love to play the Trombone and I have been playing since the 5th grade. Ever since I touched the instrument, I have had a blast playing it and fell in love with it. When I get out of high school, I plan on majoring in jazz music.

The 7th grade was the first year I ever played in jazz band. My band director's name back then was Mr. Durham, and he taught me everything i know today. He always told me that I was the best trombone player he had ever seen. The one thing that made me realize that I had true tallent is the last day of school when I had him sign my yearbook. He wrote in something that made me feel something great. "To a GREAT Trombonist! DJ, its been a pleasure watching you grow up and improve these two years. Make sure you sign up for band in Colorado and I wish you all the best in High School. We'll all miss your talent here very much." It was that day that I knew I could do what I wanted with music, because I know there would be someone right beside me saying that he believed in me. And ever since the 8th grade, I've still been chasing after my dream.

As soon as I got to high school, I knew i had to work hard for my dream. I try out for all of the honor bands, all-state bands, and everything else that awaits my presence. When I graduate out of high school, I plan to move to arizona, and major in jazz music in a place that always makes me feel like home, Arizona State University. I feel that if you want to achieve something you have to be around things that make you happy in order to be good at it. When I lived in Arizona, I felt like I was unstoppable, I could do anything I set my mind to. Going back there, I will set my mind on jazz and nothing but jazz. I'll do whatever it takes to become the best jazz trombonist alive.

Just like everyone else I didnt really have any idea what I wanted to do with my life when i was younger, but now im sure. I want to major in jazz music in the place I keep closest to my heart. Jazz music just makes me so happy, i get all the rhythems, everything just makes so much sense to me. The kinds of music you hear from jazz bands can be just phenominal, and it feels great to know I can be a part of that. Jazz music will be my life, because my trombone is my life, and I can do whatever i want with it.