Narrative Essay #1 - My First Time Performing on Stage

 

Performing on stage was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life. In 2012, my music teacher had been requesting that I play the piano for my entire school for several months, which I kept politely refusing due to lack of experience on stage or time to practice. However, after Holy Week, when approached again by my teacher, I decided to accept the offer. The day of the event, I oversaw setting up the stage, practiced, and played the piano for my entire school.

When I arrived at the school that day, my teacher immediately sought me out. To my surprise, he had convinced the principal to unbox a brand-new, silver-colored Yamaha PSR-series digital keyboard. Then, I was told I was setting up the stage for the show, for which I talked a few friends into helping me. The implements included the keyboard stand, the pedal I brought, and the cherry on top: a raggedy old office chair that looked like it was one bad day away from turning to dust. It did not take us long to have everything ready, and we did some sound tests which came out up to scratch. This is when my friends were freed of their duties, and I had the entire hall to myself.

I sat down and tried to adjust quickly to the wobbly nature of the shoddy office chair. As I pulled myself closer to the keyboard, I decided I should practice with some low-tempo songs before the event. Although it was an effective way of getting warmed up, I wanted more intensity. I ramped it up, turned the volume up to max, and played the most intense and difficult songs in my repertoire. Downright deafening, I was for sure to be heard by everyone in the neighboring classrooms. Then, as the start of the event approached, I thought it would be prudent to return to slower and calmer music to relax. However, students began pouring into the hall, and my teacher interrupted me to tell me I could not be on stage any longer until it was time for my performance.

The minutes turned into boredom as I waited on the sideline for my fifteen minutes of fame. It then dawned on me that I had not yet decided what song to play, and the keyboard I was provided with was lacking in the octave department, limiting my options. Subsequently, I heard the announcer say my name indicating it was my turn. As I walked up the stairs to the stage, I felt nothing. Not a little bit of nervousness, stage fright, or anxiety, as practicing on stage beforehand numbed me to any possible distractors. Sitting in the dirty office chair, I stared at the pristine keyboard in front of me and decided that day’s song would be “Action Figure Hands” by Stephen Rippy, which I am willing to bet was unknown to most if not all the students and teachers. I played the song to perfection and received a round of applause at the end.

Then, as I walked back to the sideline, an immense confidence took over me, which led me to some foolish and memorable decisions that same day. Nevertheless, that is a story for another time. Despite not playing on stage ever since, I would not change a single thing about this incredible experience. From setting up the keyboard on stage with my friends, to releasing all my emotions during practice, and of course, the performance itself. That day, I learned that I could achieve anything I set my eyes on, and I have carried that lesson with me ever since.