During junior year, I broke the rules of my school's musical education system. Complications with registering for my courses led me to make the easiest and most rewarding decision in my life. I needed an elective, the only music class available was "Band II." To join, I understood that I needed to be in Band I before, yet I had never even been in any symphonic band before. I had played guitar for about a year and was very interested in advancing my music education. Luckily, the change in classrooms from quarantine meant that everyone was a little behind, opening the door for me to learn a new instrument and develop "sight-reading skills". Being in the marching band made me feel free to express myself artistically at school. I was able to make friends for life by being authentically myself. In previous years, I had immensely struggled with immersing myself in such supportive and unifying school groups. Confidence in my work ethic made me eager to jump into Band II. I learned to play Euphonium, quickly falling in love with its unique sound and the specific technique used for playing a brass instrument. My ability to quickly pick up the Euphonium and music reading after one year gave me confidence in my skills as a musician. The space created for achievements is celebrated and adored with and for all daring to go after their dreams. The feeling of rehearsing and learning with other students to uplift and inspire, made me realize I belonged there. My heart belongs to the Foothill Band and music. I want to pursue my love for music to continue living for uplifting people to the light held within all of us. Music has the power to surrender and endure at once. Surrender to the light, the ease and simplicity of truth a melody carries. Endure for the hope, the words, and notes that reside in our heads. I pursue music so it may always be felt within us.