The Music in Me

Hill 1
Misty Hill
Dr. Spring
Writing 101
October 4, 2011
The Music in Me
This was just another piano audition. In my ten years of taking piano lessons, I never felt like I
could compete with the classical pianists, and today’s audition was no different. So as usual, I decide to
push the audition to the back of my mind. I sit on the freezing metal bleachers as I watch the batter
throw down his baseball gear, frustrated that he struck out for the second time tonight. His frustration
reminds me of the audition I am trying to suppress from my memory. He struck out at the plate, and I
struck out on stage. A few innings later, my phone rings. I answer to the perky voice of my piano
teacher. “Congratulations! You must have done a good job today because you won the Dennis Pegram
Memorial Scholarship! I am so proud that you won my husband’s memorial scholarship. Keep up the
good work! See you soon.” I thank her and hang up the phone with disbelief. At that point, I realize
that maybe I am not as bad as I think I am. All these years, I learned to accept the thought that I would
never be as good as the phenomenal pianists that rigorously practice and read notes, but with the
confidence from winning the scholarship, I proved myself wrong.
When I was seven years old, I became fascinated with the piano. My mom decided to give it a
shot and sign me up for piano lessons with her voice instructor, Mrs. Pegram. Mrs. Pegram graduated
from Bob Jones University. She comes from a traditional conservative Baptist family. They had nine
children, all of whom were born with music in their blood. They sang and played piano ever since they
could talk and walk. In 2005, Mr. Pegram passed away unexpectedly on their family vacation. Times
Hill 2
became tough for her family and students. But Mrs. Pegram, the strong-willed woman she is, continued
giving lessons and raising her nine children. Our families became close over the years, and soon enough,
I began to receive voice lessons from her as well.
Once I started junior high school, I became very involved in school related activities. I played
volleyball, and I was in all sorts of clubs. Piano took up so much time with practice, the musical clubs I
have to attend every month, Federation, Bob Jones University Festival, scholarship auditions, and, the
most prestigious, Guild. Guild consisted of playing ten memorized pieces along with piano theory for a
judge. Soon, I was sick of practicing the piano every day and trying to read more difficult music. I just
wanted to know how to play without having to read notes. Driven by my distaste for reading music, I
started playing by ear which is frowned upon by musicians. Because of this, when I attended recitals, I
felt like everyone there was better than me. Some of these students had been taking only a couple of
years of lessons, and they were already on my level. This was when I really wanted to give up. My love
for the piano was fading. It wasn’t about enjoying the piano, but all about the competition. Most of
Mrs. Pegram’s students were homeschooled or were from Hampton Park Christian School, where she
teaches choir and music. These students had more time and were driven to practice. A lot of them
were forced to be musicians by their parents, while I was just doing it for fun. It was all about who can
play Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach. It was not about the joy of playing anymore, it was about being the
best, which I hated more than practicing.
It was my ninth year playing piano, and I just wanted to quit. I thought I was not good, and I was
not getting any better. What was the point? I thought long and hard about my decision, weighing the
pros and the cons. My pros for continuing lessons were selfless things, like my love for my teacher and
my mother’s love for my art. My cons made much more sense to me. I was leaving for college soon,
anyway. Why torture myself for these next couple years? What will I gain from continuing?
Hill 3
I decided to stick with it and continue lessons. The next couple of years were great. My piano
experience took a 180 degree turn. I started enjoying the music again. I gained back my motivation to
learn to read the notes, even though it was a slow process. I was asked to play in weddings, and I
started winning scholarships for my ever expanding talent. I was a junior in high school when I won the
Dennis Pegram Memorial Scholarship. The thought that I was going to give all of this up is absurd to me
now.
I was practicing and dedicated but what I practiced in a week was what a normal student
practiced in a day. Yet what I gained from learning to play the piano was far more rewarding. I did not
only learn music, but I learned that I can be good at anything if I put my heart into it. It became a way to
express myself. Knowing that I could learn music, even if it was at a slower pace, made me want to
share my ability. The way I plan on doing this is through incorporating musical education with my
special education teaching. If I can get over the barrier of learning to play music, so can children with
disabilities. I’ve learned you should not restrict yourself to anything because, through reading music or
playing an instrument, you may surprise yourself, like I did. The music is in you, you just have to be
willing to let it free.

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Hill 1

confidence from winning the scholarship, I proved myself wrong.

I began to receive voice lessons from her as well.

best, which I hated more than practicing.

willing to let it free.

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