Reading My Common Application Essay: Accepted at Northwestern University

(I start reading at 2:21.)

This is the Common Application Essay that I submitted to Northwestern University. I do not know if I was accepted to any other schools because I applied to NU as an Early Decision candidate and withdrew all my other applications once I was accepted at NU.

My Northwestern Supplemental Essay: https://youtu.be/bJe4wtnb_NA

Nedda Black’s Website: https://neddablack.com/index.html

~Prompt
Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. (250-650 words)

~My Essay (640 words)
On May 15th, 2014, the day of my last concert with the — — Youth Symphony Orchestra, Maestro — led us with greater zest and speed than he ever had in any rehearsals. Miraculously, sweet flutes and nimble violas sang effortlessly in sync with ferocious horns and cymbals to the very last measure. In the moment directly after the final, triumphant D major chord, not a musician or audience member flinched. Instead, we all held our breaths in awe of the incredible feat known as "Beethoven's 9th." After the reverberating chord had dulled considerably, the sound of a standing ovation replaced it, and I felt the entire orchestra sigh in relief.
As soon as I stepped offstage, I broke down in tears. My entire back was throbbing and my neck and fingers were tingling from all the tension I had played with that night. I couldn’t even carry my music folder, let alone my flute and case, to the car.
As much as I enjoyed the thrill of performing, I couldn't continue doing something so painful, especially because this wasn't the first strike; for nearly a year, mild fatigue near my left shoulder blade surfaced within the first 20 minutes of every practice session. I also felt the same discomfort when I engaged in other activities, like writing and practicing piano. I had tried solving this problem with Thera band stretches and ice packs, but it was time to find a new approach.
Four days after the concert, I met with a physical therapist. According to her, I needed to gain muscle mass with a more nutritious diet and weightlifting. After several months with little progress, I sought out a chiropractor. She claimed I'd be practicing painlessly within a few weeks if I came in regularly to get adjustments. This was ineffective, so in the next few months, I tried massage therapy, ultrasound therapy, and Alexander technique before finally finding a solution.
After extensive research, I obtained a referral to Nedda Black, a specialist who retrains injured musicians. She explained that the pain I was experiencing was fairly common among musicians, many of whom believe in "playing through the pain.” However, her approach went against conventional thought. Ms. Black insisted I needed little muscle strength to play flute and piano, and excess tension in my body was causing rapid fatigue. In the following months, she taught me the proper mechanics of playing piano, starting with how to correctly sit at a piano. Eventually, I progressed to playing simple, blocked triads. Soon, I learned to incorporate what she had taught me in my flute playing and other daily activities. Today, practicing is pain-free.
My extensive efforts to solve this problem and ultimate success are indicative of my passion for music more than anything else. Since my first piano lesson over a decade ago, music has served as a creative outlet and a source of stress relief for me. When I am exhausted or anxious, I am at the piano playing Chopin, Tiersen, or improvising. When I am inspired or energized, I am with my flute playing Büsser or Mozart, usually while listening to the piano accompaniment with earbuds. When I am bored on a long drive, I am listening to FM 91.5, because the byzantine intricacies of classical music always cure boredom. I even reap the psychological benefits of music during school hours, whether I am listening to my iPod between classes, taking notes in AP Music Theory, or at a Jazz Band rehearsal.
Music is more than a hobby to me; it is a lifestyle that I intend to maintain beyond high school. At college, I will continue to surround myself with music by participating in ensembles, music classes, recitals, and workshops. Thankfully, this is now possible because of the physical barriers my dedication to music helped me conquer.

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