From the time I was a child pounding piano keys to today, when I was a high school band student, music has always been a hobby of mine. But it wasn't until last year that I realized that it was more than just a hobby and that I should start treating it with almost the same level of respect that I treat academics. The defining moment was a Fourth of July event at a nearby park. I had been invited by the director of Tuxedo Junction, a local jazz band, to play with them at this event. I was amazed to say the least and immediately started preparing. I put a lot of effort into making sure I was ready to play in a professional environment. When that day came it was one of the best experiences I've ever had and from that moment on I knew I wanted to dedicate a part of my life to music. I also realized that it would take tremendous amounts of hard work and dedication to make this dream a reality. This event pushed me to work even harder to develop my musical skills. I train diligently every day not only to become a better musician but also because I simply love playing. My efforts have not gone unnoticed either, as, more recently, I was invited by a jazz trio to play at a local resort. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. Jazz isn't the only music I enjoy performing, I also enjoy playing in my high school's marching band and wind ensemble. Marching band is a great way to show school spirit through music. A marching group creates camaraderie like no other group I have known. It pushes you to do your best for the good of the band, while having ridiculous fun at the same time. It's an experience that develops both social bonds and musical ability. The wind ensemble takes a more serious approach. The rigidity and perfection of the music is reflected in the concrete approach to mastering the art. It pushes you to learn and practice, not only to perform up to standards, but to go above and beyond to satisfy your love of performance and music. For me, the jazz band is the perfect middle ground between the relaxed approach and the focus on performance. , but all three have increased my motivation to succeed not only in music but in everything I do. The extra push to achieve my goals has also helped me in my academic career. I took more AP classes and extracurriculars, and with the motivation inspired by my Fourth of July experience, I was able to get ever closer to achieving my dreams.