Step Right Up

The first time I heard a violin’s sweet song was when I was four. I can vividly remember how I was captivated by its sound and tugged at my mom’s sleeve the whole time it played. The brightly lit stage glowed, just like how I pictured the music.

Seven years later, with that memory still fresh in my mind, I was determined to play the musical solo for our school’s fancy, parents-only gala. The auditions were after school on Wednesday.

I got ready and stood in the long line full of a few orchestra bands, graceful ballet dancers, lively tap dancers, melodic singers, extremely flexible rhythmic gymnasts, and the others wanting to play the solo.

I became nervous as I looked around at my super talented solo-playing competitors. Even when I saw my best friend, Lily, in line, smiling and waving at me, I couldn’t help but feel like she was giving me a “you’re going down!” sneer, thought I tried to get myself to believe what I knew it really was: just a friendly smile. That’s how nervous I was.

When I was up, I followed Mr. Levin, the man who was basically running the gala, into the auditioning room.

“Julia,” he said, closing the door, “how are you today? Nervous?”

I shrugged, and he smiled.

“Don’t be. I’m sure you’ll do well. And remember, if you don’t get a spot in the gala, there are plenty more opportunities. Understood?”

I nodded yes, even though I wasn’t very sure what I was agreeing to.

“Great,” Mr. Levin clapped his hands slowly. “Step right up. Please begin.”

I hesitated a moment before I started playing and I thought about how disappointed I would be if I didn’t get the solo, and for that one second, I thought, Maybe I shouldn’t try out after all. But then, I thought about how I first started practicing my audition piece four times a week, then five, and then managed to squeeze in practicing every day for the remaining week until this day. There’s a quote that goes like this: If you try to do your best, there is no failure. And then I knew I could do it.

And I did. Without any more thoughts, I let the music guide me as I played my piece.

I think I did well. I guess Mr. Levin did, too, because a few weeks later, there I was: the smiling soloist up on that grand stage. I can’t believe I started out from the audience to up there.

I’ve really grown.