Damsel Diaries 9 years ago In Tune
The first time I picked up an instrument was when I snuck into the front living room & started playing my mothers gold plated open hole flute.
I was at such a young age that this memory hardly carries any remembrance. However, I do recall that I carefully played make believe to a packed audience. It was my own private concert hall that was built of cold, white tile floors and floor to ceiling windows on the left, center and right side of me. A black music stand stood before me as I swayed back and forth, mimicking my talented mothers movement. The only person I could see in my version of reality was a faint shadow of a man standing behind the spotlight that shined blindly down on me. I had flute playing fantasy down to an art & science. I would anxiously wait for my family to withdrawal to their rooms before I began my concert, with thousands of people waiting in the crowd.
Even years later, after joining the Jr. High Band and actually starting to learn how to carry a tune, I would eagerly make my way home practicing every day in my concert hall. My devotion and passion for music carried me all that way into “First Chair” and I practiced steadily for the end of the year concert. Yet, it was only when I was alone that my heart and soul met in harmony with the melody that I was playing. The song pulled at my heart strings.
Finally, it was time for the woodwinds {the band that I had been practicing with} to meet for practice with the bass players prior to the big concert. For the first time, each side of the band that had practiced all year separately {each consisting of nearly 50 players, totaling around 100}, would now play together. My band director, Mr. Miller, stood up behind the black music stand and tapped his baton . . . “1 and 2 and 3 and …” I was so nervous that I couldn’t play. I glanced up at Mr. Miller hoping he wouldn’t notice and immediately looked back down at my music. My fingers shook, my mind raced and my heart ached. Harmonizing clarinets unified with soulful trumpets, chanting trombones sang with joyful oboes all along with the deep pounding of a drum … It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. I felt so confused, yet elated by the waterfall of emotion that crashed through my heart beating like a symphony. A single tear fell down my cheek; I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and began to play.
Manolo Blahnik Pumps {$735, similar pair here} // Jacquemus Skirt in Navy Check {sold out, same print but in the dress version} // Laura Urbinati Blouse {sold out, similar one here} // Tippi Sweater in Sandstone {$80} // Saint Laurent Bag {similar one here}
Photos by Felicia Lasala
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