about music

I'm not a professional musician, neither am I an amateur who sounds very decent. Half a lifetime ago, I could never have imagined that I would voluntarily play in an amateur musical outfit in my working life. Then, I was "forced" to learn an instrument because school policy dictated that everyone had to be involved in an activity. I remember the initial regret of not choosing what I thought I wanted join, which was the school choir. My gut choice was probably formed by a mix of perceived prestige and misconceptions. Anyway, all that is history.

I can't put the concert experience to word yet, but it's just awesome playing with people and creating music. It could very well be school-day nostalgia, but I don't think that can explain my desire to go back on stage again.

My musical routine didn't satisfy me anymore when I realized that what I play will be heard only by my family and my neighbors. How ever well I play, my audience will remain constant in numbers. The whole ritual began to seem rather pointless.

I don't think many of us can remain in that phase and stay motivated simultaneously. There are several way out of the quandary. Some of us opt to take graded musical exams; some will give up on their instrument entirely; some will play so well that they get ample opportunities to perform regularly. I chose to play with an amateur group.

My recent involvement has satisfied me for a while. Notes from the concert still linger in my mind as I type. I won't forget the experience of playing in an orchestra for a long time.