My personal goal is to become the first chair of the Pioneer Symphony Orchestra. Despite currently being the second chair cellist, achieving this goal is not an easy task. Since seventh grade, I have admired a talented older cellist who has held the first chair position for two years. My objective is to surpass their skills and take over as first chair. This will be a challenging endeavor, but with sufficient practice, support from others, and gaining more experience through other activities, I firmly believe that I can successfully achieve my goal of becoming the first chair.
In order to reach my objective, I must overcome multiple challenges. The current first chair possesses significant leadership experience which sets them apart from me, a freshman with limited chances to lead. Additionally, the first chair, being older and practicing for five hours daily, has accumulated more years of cello playing experience compared to my one hour of daily practice. Furthermore, their numerous wins in concerto competitions have enhanced their ability to perform under pressure, while I have yet to participate in any substantial competitions.
To enhance my skills, the initial and crucial step is to consistently practice every day. However, maintaining a daily practice routine has proven challenging for me as there are periods where I lack motivation for weeks or even months. While there have been occasions when I successfully practice each day for several weeks, other times I can go without practicing for days. Despite using a video recorder to assist my tutor in monitoring my progress, this added pressure does not always yield positive results. Furthermore, the effectiveness of my practice sessions also fluctuates.
At times, I find myself revisiting already perfected work without enhancing my skills. Nonetheless, I do engage in highly productive practice sessions either on a weekly or monthly basis. To enhance the likelihood of achieving my objective, I believe it is imperative to have these productive sessions take place daily rather than weekly.
To increase my chances of achieving my objective, I will take a more active role in the orchestra at my school and participate in extracurricular music activities. As the second chair in the orchestra, I can learn from the first chair through observation and listening. Additionally, I am involved in external programs like the String Preparatory Academy organized by the University of Michigan, which offers weekly lessons, monthly masterclasses, and semiannual solo recitals. Also, I plan to visit Chicago once a month to seek guidance from a highly respected cello professor. These additional activities will bring me closer to accomplishing my goal.
I am fortunate to have several individuals in my life who genuinely care about me and are willing to assist me in accomplishing my goals. These individuals include my mother, my tutor Sylvia, and my friends. They all play important roles in supporting my aspirations. My mother provides a quality instrument, cello lessons, and constant encouragement. Sylvia ensures that I consistently practice and helps me apply for prestigious cello programs like the Carnegie Hall Honors Orchestra and the Interlochen Summer Program. Additionally, my friends offer invaluable support by helping me relax before auditions and motivating me to strive harder. Together, these people contribute greatly to help me reach my maximum potential as a musician.
Despite being younger and less experienced than the current first chair, my determination to become the top cellist remains unwavering. To achieve this goal, I will devote more time to practicing, observe and learn from the current first chair, participate in extracurricular musical activities, and seek support from my loved ones. I firmly believe that with sufficient effort, I can transform my dream of being the first chair into reality.
