(17, NJ, USA) Serena - A Symphony of Musical Growth

Playing the closing chords of Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture" at my biggest concert of the year felt so surreal. My debut at Princeton University's Richardson Auditorium with my youth orchestra was a notable and special experience. My love for orchestral music ever since I started playing the oboe led me to join a youth orchestra in Princeton. When I got to my first rehearsal, I was very intimidated. There were so many talented musicians amongst me. While everyone was flawlessly sight reading these complex phrases and runs, I was struggling to find where we even were in the piece. Despite a challenging start, I persistently practiced almost every day, which paid off. However, synchronizing with the entire orchestra presented its own difficulties, considering factors like intonation, dynamics, and phrasing. Discouragement crept in during early rehearsals, making me doubt my ability to master the advanced orchestral repertoire that I have always been longing to play. Well, I was very wrong. Everything became more clear after each rehearsal. In fact I was able to play these very difficult pieces as time went on. The melancholy that accompanied the final chords of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture” hinted at my final moments with this epic and beautiful piece, yet it was tempered with a sense of belonging. Amongst these other exceptionally talented musicians, I found an affirming sanctuary for my passion, creating a profound sense of security and purpose in the pursuit of my love for music.