4 Person Choir by Noemi

4 Person Choir by Noemi - August 2021 Scholarship Essay

Music has always been a very fond interest of mine. From playing the piano in elementary school to then joining the middle school string orchestra, using music to express myself played a vital role in who I was. Another very important part of my personality is my faith. I attended church with my family every Sunday and sang along quietly under my breath as part of the congregation.

In my eighth-grade year, I fell in love with playing the viola. I was learning the music and felt at home as I played on stage. Time flew by as my bow danced on the strings and my fingers moved with elegance and ease as I played the notes on the page. The conductor was full of energy as the orchestra would become louder and louder. I wanted to feel that way all of the time. Applications opened to join the choir at my local church, all ages were welcome. I have never sung in front of my parents, let alone a full building. I felt my heart race as I started to wonder if I would feel the same way in choir as I did in orchestra. Adding words to the music I loved to play seemed to add a personal touch, I was nervous but eager to attempt the choir, just for a week.

My first practice was daunting. I knew no one and there were people of all ages, I was the youngest at thirteen years old. They all knew how to read music as well. They all sang so well. The choir instructor was very sweet and was always ready to push me to sing louder. I began to attend practice weekly; I would observe the choir the first few weeks and then it would be my turn to sing with a microphone.

Eventually, I was singing as the top soprano in the choir, I was considered the cantor and was able to sing at the front of the whole church. It felt effortless, being able to sing and implement my knowledge from the orchestra helped me succeed. I found joy in the choir community as well. They were always there to listen and help me in any situation. The only downside was that the choir began to shrink as time went on. As I entered high school, the choir went from ten people, to eight, to five, and now three including myself. Being able to be a part of such a close-knit community always brightened my week, and I didn't want to leave despite it being very small. Even when I found myself busy with schoolwork and home responsibilities, I made choir a priority for myself.

COVID played a major role in everyone's life, especially in terms of community. My church closed in March 2020 for lockdown, and it was one of the most challenging times of my life. Everything turned upside down and I lost that feeling I had for choir. I wondered if it was even something I wanted to continue participating in as I became an upperclassman in high school, with even more work and things on my mind. I decided to not act so hastily, and I remained patient.

During Christmas 2020, the church opened back up with social distancing regulations and mandatory masks, I also joined the choir once again. It felt like I was never gone to being with. The music, the people, and the place that felt like home made me feel whole. Not only was I doing choir for my love for music, but I was truly inspired by the people that would come up after church and greet me, and who would also view me as a part of their family.

Over the course of the five years, I have been a member of my church choir, I know in my heart that the impact I have made will be long lasting. The people I have met remember me as the girl who would lead the church in song, who would greet the children and who never gave up on a dream no matter the circumstances. I defeated my own anxieties about being able to sing in front of a group of people and created a place for myself where I can truly be myself. Recently, a young girl in elementary school has asked to join the choir. She said she wanted to be like me when she grew up. I was blown away by her comment and filled with joy. We welcomed her with open arms and became a 4 person choir.