Advice for the Musician Within by Olivia

Advice for the Musician Within by Olivia - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

The story of Icarus’ downfall is often told as a way to avoid excessive ambition— young dreamers are often warned that Icarus’ overconfidence in the strength of his wings led him to his great fall. But one part of this tale is often omitted. Just as Icarus’ father warned him not to fly too close to the sun, he warned against flying too close to the sea. Flying beneath your true potential is just as, if not more dangerous than reaching beyond your capabilities.

Historically, I have never been a reckless risk-taker. Sure, most people wouldn’t describe me as timid or overly cautious, but my problem was that I only put myself out there if I had already reached my internal standards for which performances were fit for the public. If I were Icarus and there was even a possibility that my waxen wings were too weak, I would never take flight.

I attended a 9th and 10th grade high school with a band program in which I was always a shining star. I was by far the most skilled in my section and had several opportunities to perform, for which I am incredibly grateful. I can never claim that all of this was my doing; I was blessed with many inspiring role models, teachers, and coaches that shaped me and helped me obtain musical, academic, and athletic excellence all throughout my life. During my sophomore year, one of the band directors at the upperclassmen’s school invited me to audition for the Phantom Regiment, a renowned drum and bugle corps that he closely worked with. I was ecstatic; he saw potential in me and it inspired a new confidence within me. I went home and bought the audition packet, and started practicing the music immediately. It pushed me, and for the first time in a while I felt like I really sucked. My school’s music program was vigorous, but I sailed above all the requirements and had gotten much too comfortable in my ability. Sitting in front of a metronome pulsing a tempo I’d deemed unachievable hours ago, all of my confidence was shattered.

After a few weeks of this, I decided to abandon the drum corps idea for the summer. I wasn’t expecting to make it anyway, but the thought of showing up to the audition, surrounded by older, better, more experienced musicians and failing in front of all of them was too much for me. Looking back, I wish I had raised the white flag and asked for help. I was surrounded by incredible resources that could’ve prepared me if I only had the self-confidence to fail in front of them. If I could tell myself that I would never get anywhere if I didn’t mess up in front of someone who knew how to make me better, I think my progress would’ve been greatly accelerated. One of my greatest fears is leaving this life unfulfilled, overly safe, and boring. I joke about being a starving artist one day, but I truly would rather have that than spend my life in a cubicle. I wish I could tell my younger self to fail, to grow, to live, to learn, and to never fly too close to the sea.