By, Alexander Scott

When I was 12 years old, my Dad bought my Mom a piano for Christmas. Although I had listened to and appreciated its music, I can confidently say that my knowledge of the piano—or any instrument, for that matter—was close to none. My fascination

with classical music and great composers such as Wolfgang Mozart and J.S. Bach was my first exposure to the world of the piano. Until one sunny day that March, when I sat down and decided that I was going to learn how to play and play it well.

I started small, utilizing the most poultry of piano theory workbooks, but it wasn’t two years before I had worked myself up to the level of being able to play the simpler works of my heroes, Mozart, and Bach. As my knowledge of classical music and keyboard compositions progressed, the music of one composition caught my ear: Bach’s Italian Concerto in F Major. I distinctly remembered listening to its arpeggios on repeat and dreaming of the feeling of one day getting to perform that piece on a stage, from a beautiful grand piano.

By the time I turned 15, my parents noticed my determination and invested in weekly, private lessons. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn from a skilled teacher, soaking up every minute of our half-hour lessons. I won my first gold medal performing a piece of music in the WSMA Solo Ensemble Contest. My junior year in high school, me and my teacher were discussing what piece I should choose to compete in that year’s competition. I told her I wanted to perform the third movement of BWV 971, Bach’s Italian concerto. Due to its complexity, she strongly encouraged me to choose a simpler piece, but luckily, I decided to press forward.

If I’m being honest, one week into practicing I felt that I bit off more than I could chew. The piece was technically very difficult, and several pages longer than the average submission. But there was no turning back. My teacher was able to help me for about two weeks before we had a catastrophic disagreement. It had been two years since the start of the pandemic, and our teacher arbitrarily started requiring us to wear masks again. I respectfully declined to participate, after complying with her wishes on the matter for over two years. She promptly ended our seemingly healthy relationship, sending me home before we had even begun that week's lesson.

What made it all the worse is that she cautioned me further against my decision to not comply, citing my inability to carry out the task of competing that spring without her. Concerning as it was, I had to remain consistent with my convictions, and end our weekly lesson. This left me with the mammoth task of learning and perfecting the piece, virtually alone.

Thanks to her setting me off on the right foot, the help of a friend, 2-5 hours of daily practice, early mornings, late nights, and God’s good providence, I was able to win a first-place medal and advance to state. I performed the concerto in front of family, friends, and other competitors on a beautiful Steinway grand piano, and walked away with another gold medal. My teacher was present, watching my performance (masked) surprised to see that I had made it on stage. The experience certainly came with its challenges, but I wouldn’t have missed that feeling for the world.

Of course, putting myself through that much practice greatly improved my knowledge of the piano and classical music; however, the greatest lesson that I learned had nothing to do with the Piano. It was that success depends upon how much you put into something. You can’t expect good grades, a first-place medal, or a successful career without putting in the work. When it comes down to it, no one will be there to carry you to the finish line, success in anything really depends on you and your work ethic.

I’ve concluded that most goals are achievable, it just requires follow through, focus, determination, and time. You can aim as high as you want to—and in fact, you should. I distinctly remember dreaming that one day I would be able to play Bach’s Italian Concerto on the piano. That dream seemed impossible at the time but ended up coming true. We all have dreams for our future, myself included, and after that experience, the list of what I see as achievable has only grown.

Find something you've always dreamed of, but feel is impossible. Pray about it, and then consistently work at it until you have achieved your goal.

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