Angus L.'s Memoir

Notes of Victory

“Angus, you won!” I heard as soon as I cautiously stepped one foot into the house. I pumped my fist in the air, but with no sound coming out of my open mouth. Had it been good luck, or had my persistence finally led to success?

On an early morning, on a school day, in 4^th grade, I rode my parents’ car to a national piano competition. Hundreds would compete, and only 20 or so would win. I loved playing piano, with its melodic, smooth tune. However, for this competition, I needed to memorize 5 songs, each one several pages. I needed to play extremely well to have a chance at the certificate and the plaque. So, I practiced extremely hard for an hour every day.

It would have been absolutely wonderful for me to grab the glory that stood waiting! However, I shook and shivered as I entered the church I was competing in. As I glanced around the room, I noticed the striped tan and oak colored wall. Then, shaking, with my teeth chattering, I used the lavatory for the last time before the big moment. Nervously, my hands shook as I read my scorebook for the last time. Then, I gulped, and as calmly as possible, I strode into the sanctuary of the old, musty church. As I stepped into the dark sanctuary, I noticed the blue, padded nylon chairs facing the stage which the piano was placed on, and the colorful, wrought-iron stained windows.

“Yes! The judge is a very friendly judge,” I thought, as I glanced at the judge, who was immaculately dressed in a gray dress jacket. Trembling, I politely placed the scorebook on the judge’s table. After that, I nervously sat down at the bench, which was placed about 3 feet away from a shiny, black, polished grand piano made by Steinway & Sons.

Two minutes later, I had finished the first piece.

“Now why don’t you play the G Major scale now, my dear? The next piece is in G Major,” the judge quietly requested. Suddenly, I was hit with a new bout of horror. My stomach churned, and my heard started pounding. My fingers trembled as they firmly pressed down the white, shiny plastic keys, along with a few black, brushed plastic keys. On my second-to last piece, the judge started speaking to me.

“Why do you think that song had only 2 movements? Usually sonatinas have a calm second movement. This one only has a first and a third-style second movement. Why do you think that is so?” the judge inquired sweetly. “I guess he just thought he didn’t need a calm movement,” I replied smoothly, even though I felt like throwing up, and my heart was so active that I felt like I was exploding. I could feel my stomach acid and half-digested breakfast sloshing in my stomach. I turned back around as calmly as possible, trying to hide my shaking hands from the watchful eye of the judge. Then, I continued playing as well as I possibly could.

A few minutes later, I rose from the bench, relieved. I let out a deep breath, and nervously bowed to the judge. Hands still shaking slightly from the moment before, I quickly picked up my scorebook and walked out of the room as quickly as possible.

Four hours later, after I finished school, it was finally time to ride the school bus home. Then, I asked the question I had been dreading all day, and worried over at recess.

“Did I win?” I asked in a faint, trembling voice very different from my normal tone of voice.

“Angus, you won!” I heard as I stepped into the house. I halted, dumbstruck, my mouth open, but with nothing coming out. I pumped my fist in the air and danced around the room in joy.

“Th-that’s good. Very good,” I finally managed, stuttering, still not over the fact I had won. I thought, “Was it good luck, or did persistence finally pay off?”

Just then, I knew the meaning of persistence: never giving up even when extremely nervous and keep trying. That is probably what drove me all the way up to a triumphant victory. To succeed, you must persist. I wanted to show my success and show how persistence paid off. Right then, I understood the true meaning of persistence and perseverance.

This piece is dedicated to:

Mrs. Hartle and my parents

A.L.